AMG
22-04-2005, 01:54 PM
Government sought Iran deal for MG Rover
21 Apr 05 15:54
Reports today suggest that British and Iranian governments held talks over the future of MG Rover, attempting to secure a deal that may have saved the Midlands company from administration.
Iranian firm Dastaan, owned by an Iranian politician, was hoping to import Rovers into Iran, complete at first, but later part or wholly assembled in Iran. The first shipment of 2,000 45s and 75s would have been due this summer, reports The Daily Telegraph, with total capacity in Iran eventually reaching 150,000 cars a year.
Meanwhile, it has also been suggested that Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), which last week pulled out of a planned join venture with MG Rover, will attempt to make Rovers in China, having already bought some intellectual property rights, but does not yet have the rights to produce the cars in Asia. If they were to be called Rovers, however, SAIC would need to approach BMW, which still retains ownership of the Rover name. The German company's retention of the marque was a condition by Ford, to ensure that no Land Rover-rivalling 4x4 could emerge from MG Rover bearing the Rover nametag.
21 Apr 05 15:54
Reports today suggest that British and Iranian governments held talks over the future of MG Rover, attempting to secure a deal that may have saved the Midlands company from administration.
Iranian firm Dastaan, owned by an Iranian politician, was hoping to import Rovers into Iran, complete at first, but later part or wholly assembled in Iran. The first shipment of 2,000 45s and 75s would have been due this summer, reports The Daily Telegraph, with total capacity in Iran eventually reaching 150,000 cars a year.
Meanwhile, it has also been suggested that Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), which last week pulled out of a planned join venture with MG Rover, will attempt to make Rovers in China, having already bought some intellectual property rights, but does not yet have the rights to produce the cars in Asia. If they were to be called Rovers, however, SAIC would need to approach BMW, which still retains ownership of the Rover name. The German company's retention of the marque was a condition by Ford, to ensure that no Land Rover-rivalling 4x4 could emerge from MG Rover bearing the Rover nametag.