The Rover Takeover: 'Rebirth of British car industry': Reaction
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LORD Young of Graffham, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry at time of the Rover sale to BAe, said: 'I was surprised initially, but now I am thinking this is a rather good thing. It is the rebirth of the British car industry.'
Derek Robinson, known by the tabloid press in the 1970s as Red Robbo, the shop steward at Longbridge known for his confrontational style, said: 'It is an outrage that there was no consultation with the workers. I think it is a tragedy that the only British car manufacturers are to be foreign owned.'
Dr Alex Moulton, who designed the revolutionary Mini suspension as well as bicycles, said: 'It is sad to see Rover being sold to a foreign firm, if only for sentimental reasons . . . I hope very much that the technological base will not be transferred to Munich. That would be very sad indeed.'
Dr Ann Robinson, head of the policy unit at the Institute of Directors, said: 'It is a compliment to the British car industry that a company as successful as BMW would want to be involved in it.'
Roy Axe, director of design at Rover from 1981-91, said: 'If Rover have agreed a sale which is to its benefit it is a tribute to 10 years of hard work.'
Damon Hill, Britain's leading Grand Prix driver, said: 'It's nice that we have something people value, and if this safeguards jobs then good. If Rover is run down that would be bad . . .'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments