ROVER has slashed the price and increased the specification of the 200 and 400 ranges for the second time this year in an attempt to make the range competitive in the fleet market. Today, most of the prices of both the 200 and 400 models are below the level they were at launch in the mid-1990s and with a higher specification, but Rover corporate sales director Steve Harris denies that these are the prices the two line-ups should have been at when launched.

Harris said: 'As a result of speaking to fleets and the drivers of 200 and 400 models, we have reviewed the prices to make them more competitive in the current marketplace and increased the specification to meet driver demands. We took a careful look at what the competition has on offer and we are sure that this aggressive pricing puts us ahead of the field. These changes will make the cars look a very attractive option for both the fleet operator and drivers.'

Rover, which has seen sales slump in recent months, denies that it has slashed prices in an attempt to 'clear the decks' of existing 200 and 400 models prior to their replacement in the autumn. In April, the new 200 and 400 SEi, iL and iS new derivatives were launched to sit alongside the existing range. These have all been retained in the new line-up because of their popularity, says Rover, but the core i, Si, Gli and Gsi models have been axed and have been replaced by the 200 SE and iE and 400 iE, iXL and Executive - at, in some cases, prices more than £2,000 less than their predecessors.