VOLKSWAGEN is still in the race to buy Rolls-Royce despite present owner Vickers announcing that it agreed to sell the luxury car maker to BMW for £340 million. Following confirmation by Vickers that it had reached full agreement on the sale to BMW - which is conditional on shareholder approval next month - Volkswagen said it intended to place a higher bid for Crewe-based Rolls-Royce to shareholders.

A Volkswagen spokesman said: 'We really do want to win this race, and Rolls-Royce has our full concentration right now. It will be for shareholders to make the choice, and we hope they will accept what we offer.'

Back at Crewe, Rolls-Royce chief executive Graham Morris said: 'This issue needs to be brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible. While it is not affecting sales, it is creating tension and people tend to worry. 'We're beginning to feel a little unsure that what we are doing is absolutely right.'