Thursday 8th May 2008

MG: Longbridge Production In August

More MG models to come after TF production starts in November, says NAC MG

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Remember me?

Despite fears that car production at Longbridge would never be restarted NAC MG UK has announced that the TF LE500 will be built at the plant from August.

The manufacturer even expects to deliver the first cars to showrooms in September.

NAC MG also says its designers at their SMTC facility in Leamington, Warwickshire are already planning exciting new MG models that will ‘capture the essential qualities of the MG brand and extend the range into additional sectors’.

The LE500 is basically a limited edition TF that has been mildly facelifted with an improved spec.

Gary Hagen, Director of Sales & Marketing said: ‘The open top sportscar is an iconic image of British motoring and forms the basis of the MG marque’s long pedigree. 

'The launch of the TF LE500 signals our determination to keep this class of car at the heart of the brand as we take it forward.’

In a statement the company said this announcement will prove NAC is serious about reviving MG.

‘The commitment planned by MG and the level of investment underwritten by SAIC will persuade doubters that the MG brand is being re-launched with the support to make it successful again,’ it said.

‘The fact is that in 2008, desirable and competitive British made sportscars will once again be rolling off a production line in Longbridge.  A sight that many thought they might never see again.’

Meanwhile NAC MG has announced the appointment of a new chairman, Mr He Xiao Qing. 

Mr He takes over as head of the company from Mr Wang Hong Biao, who had led the board of the Longbridge based company since it was set up in 2005.

Mr He said: 'I am delighted to have been appointed at such an exciting and busy time in this young company’s history.  I thank Wang Hong Biao for his hard work in preparing MG for its re-launch and look forward to building on his hard work.'

[carl_w]

IIRC Alchemy's attempt to buy the company in 2000 revolved around ceasing steel-bodied car production and producing low volume sports cars. Then Phoenix came in to save the company, and now we're here 8 years later with no production at Longbridge for the last 2 years and the new owners considering producing low volume sports cars there.

[Nuova500]

at least the new cars will be exclusive, if only because no one in their right mind will buy them.

[FWDRacer]

All pigs watered, fed, and ready to fly...







and before people start going off on one about damning down MG and the British workforce, there is nobody that wants to see production restart and employ the British workforce more than me....

[dingocooke]

Not sure if Ive missed something here, but I thought a lot of the Longbridge plants equipment had gone?
Is this another hype job??

[sprinter885]

The article seems to suggest that Nanjing Automotive (NAC) has some connection to SAIC -were they not rival bidders at the time of the MG sell-off??
Strange.

In any case- I wouldn't be surprised if the British public has lost any appetite for all this over-hype from the Chinese and MAY doubt whether this is ever going to be any sort of representation of an MG....

Edited by sprinter885 on Thursday 8th May 11:10

[Bobdenero]

Even if you assume that they will actually build it, who is going to buy it ?

[bob1179]

sprinter885 said:

The article seems to suggest that Nanjing Automotive (NAC) has some connection to SAIC -were they not rival bidders at the time of the MG sell-off??
Strange.

I believe they actually merged in the end.

[Bizzle]

If this is an MGTF Facelift, then effectivly your buying a car that was designed in the late 90's and runs a floorpan thats over 10 years old?

[neh321]

dingocooke said:

Not sure if Ive missed something here, but I thought a lot of the Longbridge plants equipment had gone?
Is this another hype job??

Think all parts are coming in from China.
It's just an assembly job.

[wooooody]

Bizzle said:

If this is an MGTF Facelift, then effectivly your buying a car that was designed in the late 90's and runs a floorpan thats over 10 years old?

early 90ies, and runs a lot of metro and metro derived parts underneath.

[madbadger]

dingocooke said:

Not sure if Ive missed something here, but I thought a lot of the Longbridge plants equipment had gone?

Slight understatement!

[taldo50]

Bizzle said:

If this is an MGTF Facelift, then effectivly your buying a car that was designed in the late 90's and runs a floorpan thats over 10 years old?

well it worked for aston and the DB7 for long enough ?

[mainline]

With all due respect, the MGF is not comparible with an Aston Martin DB7.

[RBV8]

There's new pics and info in this weeks autotrader:-

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/...

R

[king arthur]

RBV8 said:

There's new pics and info in this weeks autotrader:-

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/...

R

Interesting. That main picture reminds me of the drawings by Arup that were knocking around some time ago.

I think the only thing I can say here is, I'll believe it when I see it.

[FlossyThePig]

taldo50 said:

Bizzle said:

If this is an MGTF Facelift, then effectivly your buying a car that was designed in the late 90's and runs a floorpan thats over 10 years old?

well it worked for aston and the DB7 for long enough ?

Don't tell the Lotus 7 clone drivers, their basic chassis was designed in the '50s.

[Brink]

But ...


... who will buy them?

[DrGP]

I have found a secret spy shot image of the new car.
They have an interesting options list, some options are shown here

[bingbong]

Brink said:

But ...


... who will buy them?

Hair-dressers?

[Kieran XJR]

It's got to be really cheap hasn't it? Significantly cheaper than an MX5 for instance.