Iran said on Monday it was still interested in buying MG Rover, and hoped to breathe new life into the collapsed British carmaker rather than just strip it of assets as one Iranian automaker suggested. Britain's century-old carmaker, which once made sturdy Land Rovers and sleek MG sports cars, stopped production after failing to secure a rescue deal, an embarrassing blow to Prime Minister Tony Blair in the run-up to next month's parliamentary elections.
"Some talks have been held; we're now in the assessment stage to see what the ceding terms are," Iran's Minister of Industries and Mines, Eshaq Jahangiri, told reporters.
"We reckon our auto industry is capable of reforming a troubled European carmaker and churning out a car to world markets under the same brand," he said.
Iran Khodro, the Middle East's largest carmaker, has said acquiring Rover would not fit with its plans. SAIPA, Iran's second-biggest, has said it would be interested in salvaging parts from the British firm.
But Jahangiri said a full buy-out could still be on the cards, particularly if Iran were to team up with other Asian countries.
"I think Iran and China, and maybe India at a later stage, can manufacture some Rover parts in their countries," he told reporters.
Iran Khodro and China signed a contract on Sunday to jointly produce the Samand, Iran's new national car, in China.
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