MG Rover insists it is on track to meet its worldwide sales target of 200,000 cars this year, and is exceeding financial targets set in August. But UK sales for the first 10 months of 2000 are 90,887 - down nearly 8,000 units on 98,680 for 1999.

A spokesman said: 'We are selling different cars now with a different sales strategy, and until we get to June 2001 it will be impossible to compare figures with the previous year. Every month since June, sales have been in line with our targets and dealer sales are up dramatically - 30% year on year. We've stopped selling cars to ourselves and through some of the non-profitable fleet channels like daily rental.'

Kevin Howe, chief executive of MG Rover, said: 'To state boldly that John Towers is secretly planning a revision of strategy is mischievous, as is the baseless allegation on dealer defections. In a recent survey by the UK Independent Retailer Dealers' Federation, MG Rover was voted the UK's most improved car franchise. We are more than meeting our business targets, which gives us much confidence for 2001.'