MG Rover has a tough job to turn around its business, but dealers are confident it is bringing through new product that will succeed.

Richard Roberts, the former MG Rover dealer council chairman and managing director at Trident Garages, believes the company has suffered at the hands of the British press – he suggests that other carmakers have fared better during their difficult times.

“Some of the criticism has been unfair,” he says. “The CityRover is doing really well for us; it's a great package and there has been a lot of customer interest. The car is flying out the door.” He says MGR has a number of loyal customers who have been waiting almost five years for a replacement to the Rover 100. “It has been easy to get them into the showroom and into the CityRover,” adds Roberts.

Dealer optimism is in contrast to the relentless media reports. The latest claim Phoenix consortium and MG Rover chief executive Kevin Howe have made £31m profits from the business. MG Rover is also believed to be looking at moving production to central Europe.