Cars to be built again at Longbridge

Rover's new owner agrees to re-start production

By PH Staff / Wednesday, 3 August 2005 / Loading comments

From Germany to China in a single bound

Cars will be built again at Longbridge, according to MG Rover's new owner Nanjing Automobile.

The Chinese company and Fraser Welford-Winton, MD of the GB Sports Car Company have agreed to collaborate on what to do next following the acquisition of MG Rover and Powertrain -- and in particular the finalisation of the UK strategy.

In conjunction with Nanjing's established advisers, Arup Group and China Ventures, Welford-Winton's team will work on the development of a range of MG cars to be designed and developed for manufacture at Longbridge, Birmingham. Other activities will include the consolidation of the Longbridge site for automobile manufacturing and related activities in conjunction with St. Modwen, landlord of the Longbridge plant.

Welford-Winton said: "I am delighted I will be at the heart of the development and implementation of a business plan that will produce long term skilled jobs at Longbridge and create a centre of excellence for sports car activities for which the UK is world renowned."

Nanjing's VP Wang Hong Biao said: "We are delighted to have such fine British partners to reach our goals. In particular the wide knowledge and experience of Fraser and his team will complement the skills of ARUP and Nanjing Automobiles."

So everyone at Longbridge is delighted then. Apart -- one suspects -- from the people who used to have jobs there, and those whose cars have lost shedloads of their value.