WORKERS at the Cowley car plant are the best in Europe, according to new research.

A survey by Warwick Business School into car production times shows that the figures for the critically acclaimed Cowley-built Rover 75 saloon top the European league.

Joy Batchelor, who wrote the report, said the findings dispel the view that Rover should be regarded as the English Patient by German owner BMW.

Meanwhile, figures for new car sales due to be published today are expected to show a huge increase in Rover sales for April, after a massive nationwide advertising campaign and a series of cashback offers of up to 2,000.

The same statistics, from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, were also expected to show a fall in sales of BMW models.

The research into production efficiency shows that the top-of-the-range car can be built to order at Cowley in only ten days, compared with a European average of 40 days or more.

Ms Batchelor said there were few constraints to building the Rover 75, which has fewer parts than other models.

She said: "The view of Rover as BMW's ailing English Patient ignores enormous achievements within the company, including the productivity success of the Rover 75."

Since the Rover 75 was launched in June last year it has picked up 12 awards.

However, it is not being built at present while Rover runs down its vehicle stockpile in the wake of the crisis facing the company.

Production at the Cowley plant is due to restart on Monday after a month-long shutdown.