A CONSORTIUM led by former Rover chief executive John Towers promises to maintain the brand's position as a volume manufacturer following BMW's sell-off - and see a commitment to the fleet market. But the plan hangs in the balance as Towers and the Government works to persuade BMW to give the consortium more time to put its offer together.

Details of his 11th-hour bid, known as the Phoenix Project and established in competition to Alchemy Partners' offer to BMW, emerged this week. The Phoenix plan would see continued production of up to 250,000 cars a year and bring Rover 75 production from Cowley to Longbridge. Tomorrow (Friday) Alchemy's six-week period of exclusive negotiations comes to an end and the two companies are due to sign the final sale document, effectively blocking Towers' bid.