THE recent Autocar 2002 Awards ceremony saw MG Rover Group receive the Autocar award for Outstanding Achievement, and Peter Stevens, the Autocar Designer of the Year.

Steve Fowler, Autocar editor, said: “When MG Rover Group is not signing joint ventures with companies in emerging markets, it is unveiling new models at a rate that has astounded industry pundits and customers alike.

“It took the new team less than a year to launch the Rover 75 Tourer, followed soon after with the MG ZR, ZS and ZT saloons and the face lifted TF sports car.

“These have already been responsible for turning the company’s fortunes around, swelling UK sales by 2.5 per cent year-on-year and revamping the company’s image as a producer of fast, exciting and desirable cars.”

Kevin Howe, chief executive of MG Rover Group, said: “We’re delighted to have won two prestigious Autocar awards. It demonstrates the talent of our British company among some formidable automotive industry giants and our ability to make an impression has been recognised.”