GROUP corporate sales director Trevor Houghton-Berry, appointed to the post in January, says it's business as usual at Rover's fleet sales department and that there was a positive mood within his team despite the sell-off announcement. 'We're pursuing business with all the Rover models and existing fleet agreements and there's no reason not to,' he said.

Houghton-Berry, who joined from Mazda as the replacement for Steve Harris, added that he had yet to talk to the new owner, but said Rover was an old hand at changes in ownership. 'At least this puts an end to some of the uncertainty,' he said. 'We're positive about the future and we have some excellent products.'

The dismantling of Rover is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on BMW's UK fleet business. On the contrary, it could strengthen it, according to Alan Waldie, BMW GB's corporate operations manager, who believes the split will allow the German manufacturer to concentrate 'on what it does best'.

Waldie said: 'A lot of relationships have been built up. It's a difficult time for many people, and there has been some unease over public reaction to the sale, but there has been absolutely no suggestion from any of our fleet customers that they will be pulling out of BMW as a result.'