Chinese rivals Nanjing and SAIC will strike a deal in the who-owns-what row over MG Rover, it was predicted today.

David Waller, Midlands regional chairman and senior partner of accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has been handling the car company's administration, predicted a conclusion was near.

Prior to the collapse SAIC paid £67 million for the intellectual property rights for the Rover 25 and 75 and K-Series engine.

Nanjing paid £53 million for the assets of MG Rover in July, and has claimed SAIC's interests extend only to those models.

The administration is continuing and is expected to last well into next year, with creditors set to receive only a neglible amount.

Mr Waller said more than 2,000 MG Rover cars remained to be sold.

He went on: "There is still a question over the intellectual property rights. It remains under review. I am hopeful that will come to a resolution in a few weeks. Nanjing wants to develop their business while SAIC has a well-established manufacturing operation in China. I think there will be an agreement between them."