ROVER'S new Mini for the next decade is distinctive, stylish - and very British. And though it was not on display at Tokyo, it still showed the way the company was heading for the future, declared chief executive Walter Hasselkus. Rover Group's strength lay in the diversity of its products and 'Britishness' would be increasingly evident in all future models, he said.

'But heritage itself is not enough. Investment in new product development and all-new manufacturing facilities is running at an unprecedented eight per cent of turnover on capital expenditure,' said Hasselkus. 'Such a high level of spending is transforming Rover into a truly global manufacturer of world-class products.'