Xpart, the Cat Logistics subsidiary, has moved to reassure dealers and independent motor traders that supply of parts for MG Rover models will continue.

The company, which also distributes parts for Land Rover, Tata and Saab through its All-Makes programme, admits that demand has been hit, partly due the model hold-up while Capital Bank sorted out a deal on discounts with the retail network.

“There has been some misinformation on parts availability,” says Charles Binns, Xpart parts director, who claims the company has 96% availability for MGR models. “We will be able to supply parts for the foreseeable future and expect business to improve now that a deal has been done with Capital Bank.”

Xpart, which has linked up with the RAC to provide a bolt-on warranty for dealer customers, and is supporting a group of retailers that have come together under Car Care Plan to offer their own warranty scheme, says that more than 80% of its business is MG Rover parts.

“We will support dealers with unauditable warranty programmes and we will also help out dealers that have problems bearing warranty costs by being flexible on parts prices. Our prices are competitive at a retail level,” says Binns.

“We have taken some defensive measures on vehicle write-offs to extend the vehicle life: residual values are key to longevity.”

Xpart supplies parts to dealers and independents for the two million MG Rovers on UK roads through a network of 80 wholesalers. Although some are looking at survival strategies, Binns says: “We’re looking to increase business for other OEM parts and this will be through our existing network of wholesalers.”

MG Rover’s global car parc is around three million vehicles.