ROVER is to become the first of the 'big four' manufacturers to scrap separate delivery charges and adopt on-the-road pricing in the face of mounting pressure on car makers for an all-in list price. From Monday (June 3), all Rover pricing literature will feature two figures - a delivered price including VAT, delivery, number plates and initial servicing and an on-the-road price including a year's road tax.

Corporate sales director Steve Harris said Rover had simply incorporated its £451 standard delivery charge in a new price list. 'It's a cost neutral measure in response to pressure from consumers and organisations like ACFO,' said Harris. 'It makes it clear that this is the price you pay to get on the road.' Defending the decision to include the whole £451 delivery charge within the list price, Harris said there were real costs associated with the delivery of a vehicle which had to be taken into account.

The move follows repeated demands for the abolition of delivery charges and a concerted campaign against them orchestrated by the Association of Car Fleet Operators (Fleet News April 8). Volkswagen and Saab recently began quoting on-the-road prices alongside list prices while Skoda, SEAT and Proton now quote 'on-the-road' prices.

In recognition of growing pressure on manufacturers to quote 'on-the-road' prices, Fleet News will, from this week, incorporate delivery charges within all vehicle prices published.