Nanjing unveiled a spruced up TF
Cars may never be built at Longbridge again after a plan to revive MG TF production at the plant reportedly collapsed.
Main supplier Stadco has apparently decided to stop manufacturing body-shells for the TF, affectively sounding the ‘death knell’ for the fragile project.
After it bought MG Rover it had been hoped that Nanjing would open up the assembly lines at Longbridge.
But one source has told local media that it is now doubtful whether Nanjing parent SAIC will ever produce cars at Longbridge.
He said the chances of the factory producing MGs was ‘very slim’ and the best the Rover factory could hope for would be a role as a servicing centre.
He pointed out that far more attractive operations had struggled, such as Jaguar, Aston Martin and TVR, and that it would be uneconomical to produce cars at Longbridge.
‘If SAIC/Nanjing thought they could produce cars at Longbridge economically, then I am sure they would,’ he said.
‘But can they do it economically?
‘I cannot see them prepared to spend the sorts of money required. It was always wishful thinking that something would happen. "I accept that some people within Nanjing had intentions to produce. But I have never had the impression they were serious about it.’