MG Rover is still too expensive for the Chinese auto maker Geely Group, which will have problems finding funds should it bid to buy the UK automaker.

Geely is in talks to buy MG Rover, after its counterpart Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp pulled out of a potential rescue deal in April.

'We are in talks with Rover', said a spokesman in an interview with the Beijing Times last week. 'The price they asked for is much lower than that for Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp before.'