The Rover 400 (45) 2000-2004

This is one of three articles about the Rover 400/45 model.

This car needed replacing but got a facelift instead. Not enough sales for the 400 model to go it alone, yet then owners BMW tried just that and failed. They sold up and took the replacement model designs back to Munich to rot in an office draw. Who thinks capitalism has a caring side? Anyway, it soldiered on but was losing ground to the newer competition. The last owners named the Phoenix Four didn't have the money to do a new model but pretended they did.

Below are production figures of the third and last effort by MGR. There was still something to like about the car. A sporty MG ZS model was added but as you can see, it wasn't that successful.

Year	Tot	45	ZS
2000	49900	49900	-
2001	44200	38275	5925
2002	33250	26400	6850
2003	22100	15650	6450
2004	20700	14950	5750
2005	5425	3300	2125
Tot	175600	148500	27100
Avg	29250	24750	5425

Now some major markets:

Yr	UK	Spa	Fra	Italy	Germ	Ned	Por	Bel	Gre
00	?	?	4400	5300	?	1175	?	?	750
01	20650	?	3100	3400	1875	800	?	?	600
02	20925	?	2100	1850	850	425	?	550	350
03	15800	4375	1600	1250	650	475	700	325	125
04	11350	4525	1250	875	725	350	600	275	150
05	4175	2050	825	275	350	200	200	225	150
Tot	72900	10950	13275	12850	4450	3425	1500	1375	2125
Avg	14600	3650	2225	2150	900	575	500	350	350

I see the Spanish liked them right to the end. A modest seller in Germany though.
The 400 range was a useful seller for Rover but as you can see by the production figures from 2000, past its 'use by date'. I am sure that many who buy a used example of them will find them a car with character and a nice vehicle to drive.
To read about the 1995-99 period please click here
Pics: http://www.netcarshow.com/rover