Business secretary Lord Mandelson hopes to have fresh talks with motor industry as the government has appointed advisors to assess the sector's needs.

The news gives hope to the UK's carmakers and dealers who have been lobbying government for measures that would restore demand for cars.

They last met with Lord Mandelson in November. A date for the next meeting is yet to be set, according to the Financial Times. 

Ministers are sympathetic to concerns that the pressures on the car sector could lead to the permanent loss of skilled jobs and damage regional economies.

Measures to help manufacturers retain employees, without adding to the mounting stock of unsold cars, are being considered.

The government has appointed KPMG, the accountancy firm, and NM Rothschild, the investment bank, to assess the sector's demands.