Definite clarification
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I READ you article entitled "The Year Of The Definite Maybe" (CM October 27, 1984) with interest but feel I have to clarify a number of points contained therein.
Austin Rover was quoted as being "not unduly worried by the lack of diesel engine option" in the Maestro van. This makes the company sound very complacent. What I said was that there was a definite demand for a diesel engine but that at the moment enthusiasm was running ahead of actual sales in the car-derived van market. However, you can be assured that the true potential for diesel is being carefully monitored by Austin Rover.
Secondly, you comment that Maestro vans can be converted to run on LPG, Whilst this is certainly true, such conversions do not have the approval of Austin Rover Engineering.
Thirdly, the article also claims that the 1.6 litre petrol engine and five-speed transmission is "highly likely" to appear in the Maestro van in early 1985. Again this is not what I said. While we are certainly looking at the possibility of putting this engine into the Maestro van, and assuming that we go ahead on this, it will certainly not be available by early next year.
In addition, there is no certainty that a five-speed box will be coupled with any availability of the 1.6 litre engine.
JEFF JOHNSON Austin Rover Sales and Marketing Coventry Brian Weatherley writes: I did not attribute the words "unduIN worried" to Austin Rover. It was the impression given to me by Mr Johnson. But my notes reveal that he did say a 1.6-litre petrol engine would bE "highly likely" in early 1985. — Editor.