Chinese carmaker Nanjing Automotive Corporation (NAC) is setting up a webchat to allow MG enthusiasts to tell the company what they think.
This follows the company's recent announcement that MG car assembly would start at Longbridge.
Fielding questions from MG enthusiasts worldwide will be NAC’s Stephen Cox in the UK and Paul Stowe in China. Stowe is quality director with NAC in China, and Longbridge-based Cox is responsible for sales and franchising in the UK and Europe.
The aim is to enable MG enthusiasts to gain insight into NAC’s global ambitions for MG and to put questions to the company -- although there's no guarantee they'll all be answered of course.
Stowe said: “NAC recognises the positive and pivotal role that enthusiasts have played in the development of the MG brand, ever since Cecil Kimber’s very first car left the factory in 1924. Today, NAC not only recognises the historical importance and significance of MG enthusiasts, but is keen to build upon established links with MG enthusiasts worldwide.”
Cox said that, for commercial reasons, the webchat session wouldn't be able to go into details about new product plans.
However, he said: "Paul and I will be delighted to take questions across a range of areas, including the construction status of our plants in the United Kingdom and China; our partnerships; product validation, reliability and durability information; and NAC’s timetable for 2007.”
NAC reckoned that this is the first time ever a major motor manufacturer has provided enthusiasts with the chance to talk to the maker directly -- however, there's little suggestion that, other than mounting a publicity stunt, the company feels it has much to learn from enthusiasts of the marque. Here's hoping we're wrong...
NAC said questions should be emailed in advance to the address below before 1700 UTC on Tuesday 6 February 2007. The webchat session starts at 1100 UTC this Thursday, 8 February 2007, on the MG & Rover enthusiasts’ Web site (see link below) and is set to last an hour.
Instructions on how to access the webchat will be posted on the site Thursday morning.
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