ROVER is determined that the Cowley-built Rover 75 luxury saloon will be the most advanced, highest quality car the company has ever built.

The car was originally due to be launched in March, but the company decided nothing would be allowed to compromise quality. It now plans to deliver the first cars to customers in mid-June.

Rover spokesman Nick Argent said: "We are working in a new factory to BMW quality processes. If it is not right, it will not go out of the garage, it's as simple as that."

He added: "The press launch is going ahead this week as planned and the dealer and major corporate sales customer launch will go through this month and into March, involving about 6,000 people. As far as that goes, everything is on target."

Jim Macdonald, managing director of Rover Cars UK, said there was already huge interest building up in the car, with more than 80,000 inquiries from potential buyers received so far.

He said: "Rover 75 customers will be some of the most demanding in the marketplace. I hope they will be."

Mr Macdonald said Rover had cut its dealer network from 650 nationwide, to a core of 320.

At the same time he said the number of days spent training dealer staff has been doubled.

He said: "Over £100m has been invested in new showrooms and service facilities, much of which will be in place prior to the launch of the Rover 75.

"This is money from the dealers' pockets. That is how confident they are of a successful, profitable future for Rover.

"Our dealerships must be the best in town and I can assure you all the people working in those dealerships are the best in the industry."

Story date: Wednesday 03 February

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