ROVER has come under fire for not having a presence at the British International Motor Show, which starts this week.

Industry experts argue the car producer, now known as MG Rover, needs to take the opportunity to show off its products at the event, which runs from Thursday until October 29, if it is to increase a share of the market which has dropped to two per cent, its lowest ever.

Meanwhile, the future of Rover and consequently 2,000 pressings workers in Swindon, is being put into question with fears that the firm may go under.

Sixty per cent of BMW Swindon Pressings output is panels for Rover cars and much of the balance goes to Ford for Land Rover products.

While panels for the new BMW Mini are being made at the Swindon plant, this represents only a small percentage of production.

And to add to the concerns, automotive industry analyst Chris Firth, who is based in Swindon, says Ford is looking to make its own panels, possibly at its plant in Solihull.

MG Rover refuses to accede to criticisms that it should have a presence at the motor show, saying that the time to exhibit is when there are new cars to show off.

"The cost of attending the motor show is huge," spokeswoman Angela Quigley said. "We have been on record for some time now that we feel the money is better spent elsewhere.

"The Rover 75 production is now gearing up and we expect to sell about 3,000 of them by the end of the year. Early next year will also see the 75 Estate coming on stream and later three cars with MG badging.

"That could well be the time to consider exhibiting at motor shows, with the obvious aim of increasing our share of the market, but not at present. First you get the new product, then you go out and show it."

But Mr Firth takes a gloomier view.

"The truth is Rover now has got to the stage where it is below sustainablity as an independent vehicle manufacturer," he said. "It desperately needs a partner.

"Basically, it is out of date and needs a massive injection of cash as well as access to current technology.

"Talk of a partnership with Proton, while sounding feasible, is unlikely to happen because Proton itself is a minority company with a limited market presence in Europe. I have to conclude that the future looks pretty bleak for Rover and its partners. This in turn looks bad for BMW's Swindon Pressings plant."