The "worst case scenario"of an economic meltdown triggered by the MG Rover crash is now unlikely to happen, a study has revealed.
Instead the West Midlands is fighting back with more than 1,800 former Longbridge workers already back in work, a report by the MG Rover Taskforce said.
Its economic impact assessment found that the Midlands economy is unlikely to suffer as much from the collapse of the firm as initial estimates suggested.
Observers had feared that the end of car production at Birmingham's historic Longbridge plant would see 13,000 job losses in the wider economy and supply chain.
But this worst case scenario, which also predicted #380 million of lost business, is unlikely to happen, the assessment said.
Nick Paul, chairman of the MG Rover Taskforce and regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, said: "The West Midlands region has had to come to terms with the massive fall out from MG Rover's closure with almost 6,000 jobs lost overnight.
"But I am very encouraged the report believes that the worst case scenario is unlikely to happen."
The report showed that 1,832 former MG Rover staff are now back in employment, while 164 component companies have received cash through the wage replacement scheme, safeguarding the short-term future of 2,983 other workers.
Mr Paul said: "The West Midlands began fighting back against the worst effects of MG Rover's closure on the same day as the announcement.
"There remains a lot to do but much has already been achieved. Of the 6,000 people made redundant at MG Rover, 1,832 former workers are now back in new jobs."
He added: "A further 1,600 have started training courses, with 1,300 more about to start courses, so well over two-thirds of the workforce is either in work, in training or about to start training.
"There may be more job losses but the Economic Impact Assessment report itself recognises the 'encouraging' signs that companies may be able to mitigate the worst effects of MG Rover's closure on their business."
But Mr Paul acknowledged that companies are still "really stretched" by MG Rover's closure and that there are still more than 1,000 former MG Rover workers who need help to get into work or training.
"The communities particularly affected may require support for their local economy," he continued.
During the previous Rover crisis in 2000, 50,000 jobs were said to be at risk.
Sinced then the number of UK suppliers with a "significant level of dependency" on MG Rover has since fallen sharply - from 161 firms in 2000 to 74 firms in 2005, the report said.
But there remained 'considerable uncertainties' over the extent to which redundant MG Rover workers would be able to find jobs and if so whether they are able to match their former wages.
There was also doubts about the response of suppliers in terms of closures, contractions or successful redeployment of resources into new markets
The study said economic impact would be felt across the West Midlands but would be most concentrated in South-west Birmingham, North Worcestershire and south Black Country
The MG Rover Task Force - led by Advantage West Midlands and including representatives from the Learning and Skills Council, local authorities and politicians - was set up in the aftermath of the company going into administration.
