A ROW is brewing over the ownership and use of historic Rover Group names such as Triumph, Riley, Austin, Morris and Wolseley. Fleet NewsNet's understanding is that BMW has agreed that Alchemy Partners can use the Rover name for seven years, while the MG badge has been transferred in perpetuity.

But a question mark now hangs over other motoring names under the custodianship of the British Motoring Industry Heritage Trust. Trust chief Fred Coultas was due to meet BMW bosses in Munich this week to clarify the situation. Another concern is the future of the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon, which is run by BMIH. The centre sits on land owned by Land Rover - which is expected to come under Ford's control.