ROVER Group is to change its name to MG Rover Group in a move which, says the Birmingham-based car maker, shows its commitment to MG and Rover products. It also confirms its strategy of moving towards a sports-based niche line-up, outlined by chairman John Towers and which will involve collaborative partnerships with other manufacturers.

The renamed company will start with a debt-free balance sheet for its manufacturing, car sales, parts, accessories and vehicle finance operations as well as the benefit of more than £3 billion in investment from previous owner BMW. Sales of Rover 25, 45 and 75 and the MGF roadster were up 7% in the first eight months of the year, which included a period of heavy discounting in BMW's final weeks. Retail sales have increased by 20% year-to-date, but fleet sales were down 14%, leaving Rover in eighth place in the fleet sector with 24,312 units (1999: 28,267), just 1,300 ahead of BMW in tenth place.

The new company has access to all former Group names except Riley, Triumph, Land Rover and Mini, but in the short term is to concentrate on Rover and MG. From the end of this month its single plant at Longbridge will be producing Rover 25, 45 and 75 and MGF. From early 2001 it will also build Rover 75 estates.