The Russian billionaire who bought British sports carmaker TVR is considering a bid for parts of MG Rover.
Nikolai Smolensky has already visited the Longbridge factory to inspect the production facilities for the MGF two-seater sports car.
The oligarch, who bought the Blackpool-based TVR last July, is one of the 60 interested parties who have so far come forward.
Alchemy Partners, who were rebuffed in a bid to buy MG Rover in 2000, are also thought to be looking to revive their plan to run the company as a niche sports car manufacturer.
Other parties interested in bits of the business include Iranian state carmaker Khodro, and Rover's former partner Honda. But last night TVR remained tightlipped about a possible bid.
A spokesman said: "We wish the employees of MG Rover the very best and hope someone rescues it. We are only a small company with 400 workers. To my knowledge there has been no interest from us."
Rob Hunt, joint administrator, said there had been a lot of interest in the assets of MG Rover. "Around 300 people have been in touch with us asking for information about MG Rover, and about 60 of those are interested in buying parts of the company and running them as businesses," he said. "TVR are the type of people I would expect to see."
Meanwhile Chancellor Gordon Brown visited the Midlands yesterday to see efforts being made to provide financial help and employment support to workers and apprentices affected by redundancies at Longbridge.
Visiting North East Worcestershire College in Redditch he said: "We will continue to do everything we can to help the staff, families and the suppliers affected by the collapse of Rover, including the young apprentices."
