5 FEBRUARY 1994, Page 23

Musical cars

THIS WEEK in Europe's car markets brought the results from Fiat. That major producer lost almost as much money as BMW is spending on Rover. It is yet anoth- er bale of straw in the wind, telling us that Europe has more car manufacturers than it can support. The Revolvo fiasco (Renault plus or minus Volvo) told the same story. Not all will survive. BMW may now think that it is buying production in a low-cost country, but if the heat comes on, which plant will it shut — Munich, or Longbridge, or Cowley? Any bets? Any Oxford college short of room (or rooms) should slip round to Mr Pichetsreiter and take first option.