FLEETS have hit back at accusations from BMW chairman Joachim Milberg that they should share the blame for its failure to make Rover a success.

He revealed that BMW's losses at Rover amounted to more than £1 million a day and said: 'We must not forget that ultimately it is above all British customers who, by purchasing Rover cars, can secure these jobs.

'They are the people who take the ultimate decision - and who last year decided against Rover cars through their hesitant, reluctant purchasing attitude.'

Tony Leigh, chairman of the Association of Car Fleet Operators, said: 'Blaming UK fleets misses the point, which has been BMW's failure to make Rover cars attractive. We have seen failures in pricing cars competitively and sizing, most notably with the 200 and 400 which didn't fit in fleet's choice regimes and cost above equivalents from other manufacturers.'