May 2000: How BMW will continue with the Rover marque is uncertain at the moment. The tug-of-war over Rover continues between Alchemy Partners and a new investor, who intends to maintain full production.

In Germany, BMW/Rover is attempting a new damage limitation exercise. According to information from the specialist magazine Autohaus, BMW/Rover field salesmen visited franchised dealers on April 11 and demanded that they sign a disclaimer renouncing any compensation claims from the sale of Rover.

As solicitor Dr Christian Genzow revealed, the BMW/Rover field sales employees promised to compensate all BMW dealers who also sell Rover, with an additional supply of niche vehicles and a guarantee to take back part of Rover's stock, if the dealers sign the disclaimer.

The document says: 'Following previous discussions some time ago with your Mr..., we confirm in this fashion that we will not intervene or place demands on BMW in relation to the elimination of Rover Germany GmbH'.

Genzow warned all Rover and BMW dealers to send back the disclaimer while some BMW dealers formed a joint interest group on April 10 in Fulda.