Get Autoblog in your Google feed
According to Forbes, BMW
CEO Helmut Panke said that the German automaker is in talks with several Chinese manufacturers about purchasing the
Rover brand. Some of the manufactures include automakers Shanghai Automobile Industry Corp (SAIC) and Nanjing
Automobile who have, in the past, expressed interest.
However, Panke said that “Ford has the right of
first refusal.” Thus, the U.S. automaker would be given first shot in purchasing the brand name even if BMW had
reached price agreements with the Chinese automakers. Interestingly, BMW has yet to ask Ford if the automaker is
interested.
[Source: AFX via Forbes]