TRADE and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers is backing the British motor industry after taking delivery of a Rover 75 as his official car. MG Rover Group was chosen along with Vauxhall from 11 manufacturers who applied to supply cabinet ministers with official cars.

Byers has selected a black 2.5-litre Connoisseur model after a vehicle was supplied to the Government Car and Despatch Agency for a year, and covered 30,000 miles with no problems. The other cabinet choice is the German-built Vauxhall Omega. Junior ministers have access to the Rover 45, Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra and Nissan Primera.

Angus Gray, MG Rover fleet sales director, said: 'With 11 manufacturers attempting to win this prestigious contract, we are pleased to be one of the two companies finally selected to supply official cars to cabinet members.'