BMW has revealed that it is to build a new car plant in the UK, creating about 2,000 jobs, to build Rolls-Royce cars. From January 1, 2003 the BMW Group takes full responsibility for the luxury marque - it acquired the rights to the name in 1998 - and says the new luxury line-up will be built in Great Britain.

Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, a member of the senior management of BMW Group responsible for marque and product strategy, said: 'Launching new models, we will guide this truly outstanding marque into a successful and modern future. These will be authentic Rolls-Royce cars with a modern interpretation of all the traditional values.'