BMW has spent more than £1.27 billion to put Rover on the right road for the new millennium, it was revealed at the British International Motor Show. The unprecedented investment programme started as soon as Rover was taken over in 1994, said chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder.

'We have invested £450 million in new assembly facilities for the Land Rover Freelander in Solihull and £400 million on new manufacturing facilities for the Rover 75 at Cowley. Another £400 million is going into the new engine factory at Hams Hall, near Birmingham, which will be producing new generation 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol engines for BMW and Rover products from early next century.

'In addition, we have invested £25 million on new design and engineering facilities at Gaydon - I think this clearly demonstrates our commitment to Rover and our confidence in it becoming more productive, more competitive and, ultimately, more successful,' he said.