BMW to sue Rolls-Royce cabs

ROLLS-ROYCE, the luxury car maker now owned by BMW, is suing a London mini-cab company called Rolls-Royce on Call to stop it using Rolls-Royce in its name. The firm was started 18 months ago by former City trader Matt Valentine and entrepreneur Andrew Hobbs, who made millions from the Gadget Shop retail chain.

They bought second-hand Rolls-Royces and converted the gas guzzlers to liquid petroleum gas (LPG) to make them commercially viable. Hobbs insists: 'We make it crystal clear we have no connection with either the Rolls-Royce or the Bentley motor company.

'If I started a business and called it the Ford Escort mini-cab company, do you think Ford would come after me? They would be grateful for the publicity - and so should Rolls-Royce. It's madness.'

Hobbs is unlikely to fight the writ alleging breach of copyright. 'The costs could be huge,' he said. 'We'll just have to think of another name.'