The Rover 200: 2000-05

This is one of four articles about the Rover 200/25 model.

The facelifted 200 was named the 25 and certainly the new look was attractive. Within a year, BMW sold Rover to the Phoenix consortium, a group that didn’t have the resources to revive the company from the state BMW had left it in. A new vehicle was needed, but it would never eventuate.


The new owners tried to leverage all they could from the car, bringing out a sporty MG ZR model in 2001 which proved very successful. In 2003, an ‘urban on road’ car followed named the Streetwise. With a higher ride and body moldings, it was a smart idea with limited success. Production for the three variations were as follows:

1999 19,200 (91,400)
2000 76,900
2001 70,800 (25 - 62,000 / ZR 8,800)
2002 60,700 (25 - 38,100 / ZR 22,600)
2003 58,200 (25 - 28,500 / ZR 22,750 / SW 6,950)
2004 43,450 (25 - 17,400 / ZR 19,600 / SW 6,450)
2005 14,200 (25 - 5,500 / ZR 7,850 / SW 850)

The 2005 figure was only for a few months before the axe fell. The ZR overtook the standard 25 model in 2004, such was its popularity. Unfortunately the 25 needed to sell better. The Streetwise did too little to help the situation. Then MG Rover was gone.


It didn't end there though as the model was bought by SAIC in China and then sold as the MG 3. However, this article is about UK production and sales, so no data from this is included.


PS. Sales for the 25/ZR/SW in selected markets. Spain eventually became the biggest export market, with Portugal not bad for its size. Overall, the sales slide is there for all to see as the aging car just couldn’t hold out against newer offerings from its competitors (2005 is for a few months only):

Year	UK	Italy	Spain	Germ	Franc	Nederl	Port	Gree	Swit	Belg
2000	45,500	9,850	?	6,150	5,350	850	?	700	?	?
2001	47,500	4,750	?	2,900	3,250	400	?	550	350	?
2002	43,800	3,400	?	750	2,400	200	?	250	375	650
2003	42,900	3,500	4,750	1,500	2,400	400	1,250	200	250	450
2004	30,700	3,200	4,400	1,200	2,300	450	1,200	300	150	600
2005	13,000	1,700	1,750	800	1,000	300	325	250	?	400

Germany 2000 figure includes 400 series. Pics of 25 & SW: www.rover-forum.thersr.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=22