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Honda & Rover: Is they Is, or Is they Ain't?

9 May 2000

    London - On Monday, prior to today's signing of a deal between BMW and the
Phoenix Consortium, two stories appeared concerning the possibility of
Honda helping John Tower's group to make the deal.  

    The first story (from London) said that Honda was interested.  The second
story (this from Japan), quoted a Honda spokesperson as saying "no way", or
at least words to that effect.

    But tonight, a story out of The Times (of London) states that Honda is in
talks with Phoenix to help secure Rover's long-term future.  So if life
imitating art, or art imitating life - which came first, the story of
Honda's interest in Rover or did Honda's interest stimulate the story?

MJR