We'll build Rollers, maintains BMW

BMW is adamant it will be building Rolls-Royce cars in Britain from January, 2003. Confirming that the luxury brand name was not to be sold off with Rover, MG, old Mini, Land Rover and Longbridge, BMW chairman Joachim Milberg said that a production location for Rolls-Royce would be announced before the end of the year.

He told a stormy Munich press conference: 'I can tell you here and now that the plant will definitely be in Great Britain.' The new Mini will be assembled at Cowley and is to be launched in Britain next summer.

The radically-designed successor to the 41-year-old Rover Mini, which will itself continue to be produced at Longbridge, is still expected to make its full world debut at this year's International Motor Show at the NEC in October.