BMW - Page 52

No plans for Rover link, says Honda

Honda president Hiroyuki Yoshino has scotched speculation that the Japanese carmaker is poised to purchase “up to 49%” of the rescued Rover group. Honda's partnership with Rover ended in 1994 after the BMW acquisition.

Collins will handle expansion plans

Lee Collins plans to expand the £37m turnover Prestons BMW and Hillendale Land Rover, in Colne, Lancs, after being appointed group managing director.

O'Donnell accepts BMW GB hot seat

Jim O'Donnell will be handed the challenging task of raising BMW GB's faltering image when he becomes managing director next month. The carmaker has taken a battering in the press following the decision to offload its ailing Rover subsidiary and its registrations slumped by more than 38% last month.

Phoenix signs deal with BMW

The Phoenix Consortium has signed a deal with BMW to pay a 'symbolic' £10 for the acquisition of Rover Cars and the Longbridge plant, raising dealer hopes of a brighter future.

Retailers confident on Phoenix future

Rover dealers have expressed a mixture of relief and optimism at the news that BMW has agreed to sell Rover Cars to Phoenix Consortium.

Ford wants Rover in its brand family

##Rover Badge--left##Ford is negotiating to buy the Rover brand name following the final break-up of BMW's UK subsidiary and the US firm's chief executive Jac Nasser sees a role for Rover as a prestige small and medium car brand, sitting under Volvo in its Premier Automotive Group.

Phoenix meets BMW on brink of deadline

John Towers, head of the Phoenix Consortium, met Rover Group chairman and chief executive Werner Samann this week to table details of his bid in a meeting arranged after Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers.

Alchemy in furore over 'Byers' man'

Alchemy Partners, bidding to buy Rover from BMW, this week involved Stephen Byers in a row over Government action to aid redundant Midland car workers.

Rover's retail pain.

Rover dealers are to press ahead with a compensation claim against BMW following their first meeting with the company since the announcement of the probable sale to Alchemy.

Bates' £4m site

Bates Motor Group, the £100m turnover Essex and London dealer, has opened a £4m BMW dealership in south Essex.

Split to cost BMW £1.9bn

BMW's disposal of Rover Group has triggered intense speculation about acquisitions and partnerships as leading manufacturers hunt the most valuable brands.

BMW demands fresh thinking

UK dealers representing BMW Group's five brands have been warned they must accept change, including the influence of the internet.

BMW dealers to retail Mini

BMW dealers are to be offered a chance to sell the new Mini in a move that will clearly position the car away from Rover and as a separate brand within the Group.

HQ influence helps to put BMW in the top 10

The wealthy Thames Valley region spreading from Marlborough in the west to the Essex estuary covers the traditional stockbroker belts of Surrey, Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire. It is Ford's own country, the carmaker employs thousands in the region, so it's hardly surprising that Thames outperforms national sales. The surprise though is the appearance of BMW in the top 10.

BMW

BMW is 'hopeful' of EC approval on aid

The European Commission is next week expected to announce an investigation into the UK Government's planned £152m aid package for BMW's Rover Birmingham plant.

BMW confident of Touring sales

BMW is confident the 3 Series Touring will rapidly gain ground on its main rivals, Audi's A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-class estate, which have consistently outperformed the estate.

320d to build diesel volume

BMW is bullish about diesel prospects after launching the 320d at £21,345 - £22,645 in SE trim.