THE rental industry is offering a warm welcome to Rover if it uses the market as a key to maintaining volume production at Longbridge. Phoenix is hammering out plans to save jobs at the plant by keeping production levels above 200,000 units a year and daily rental could offer an important outlet for the cars, but the move would need a change of heart from Rover.

Jim Burrell, Enterprise Rent a Car managing director, said: 'I would buy Rovers if the deal is competitive, but we have not bought a lot because they are not terribly interested in rental business.' Nick Hanley, managing director of E@si-Rent, said: 'Rover was never keen to supply rental cars, but we would run their products. They need to get bottoms on seats and the rental market is the perfect way.'

However, Rover has not completely shut out daily rental and those rental firms receiving cars say they are happy with the product. Doug Sawers, managing director of Budget Car and Van Rental, said: 'In the past, Rover has cut back its exposure to daily rental, but our customers find they are good cars and there is demand. Rental business is more attractive to them at this stage. Customers are very happy to see Rover in the choice list and a significant number of people choose to hire their cars.'