Ford 'secret deal' claim

FORD has negotiated a 'secret' deal to buy a transformed Rover Group within the next three-to-five years, it was claimed this week. Professor Peter Cooke, head of the Centre for Automotive Industries Management, Nottingham Trent University, believes BMW has already laid the foundations for the future sale.

With the new MG Car Company producing cars with a sporting heritage, Cooke believes Ford will follow up its acquisition of Land Rover by buying the transformed sports car-producing company.