BMW is expected to ask for £200m aid from the UK and European Union to keep its Longbridge Rover plant, in Birmingham, on the map.
It hopes to secure a deal with unions over work issues within the next few days before making the appeal for funds.
The Financial Times reports that BMW asked for reassurance from the government that Britain would seek early membership of the single European currency before committing itself to a £1.5bn development programme to make the new Mini, MG sports car and a new medium-sized car.
Financial Times 17/11/98 page 1, page 24 (Lex)
