As promised I contacted XPart following concerns expressed by some members about availability of parts (particularly body panels) for our cars.
Below is the full response I received from XPart's sales manager. imo it is very good news
Regards
Mike
Good afternoon Mike,
Panel supply for all current MG Rover vehicles has been difficult. The majority of panelwork came from MG Rover at Longbridge but this stopped on 8th April last year when MG Rover fell into Administration which meant that we have had to resource to other suppliers.
This has now been completed with new tooling produced and panelwork availability is now rapidly improving. The biggest single problem is Rover 45 / MGZS bonnets- BKA 140100 and even these will begin to become available next week (although we have a significant amount of back orders to clear).
Rover 75 / MGZT panelwork has improved significantly in recent weeks - for example 140 bonnets have been delivered to us this week.
In addition, we are now able to strip down bodyshells still in Longbridge and this provides us with another source for panels.
There is a lot of uninformed rumour and speculation with regard to the future of parts supply for MG Rover vehicles. The truth is that XPart have c £40m of stock and ongoing supply agreements with all the major suppliers which will ensure the availability of parts for these vehicles. With regard to Panels - supply has been difficult but the action that we have taken will ensure long term ongoing availability.
Throughout the period when panels were in short supply, we have always attempted (and usually succeeded) in finding panels to stop vehicle from being written off.
In summary, panel supply has been a problem due mainly to the lead time necessary to produce new tooling and to set up manufacturing process. However, this is now easing and your members can be assured as to the ongoing long term availability of components for MG Rover vehicles. If there is a particular panel that is causing your member a problem - please let me know and I will attempt to source one for you.
If anyone on here is having problems getting a particular body panel then pm me and I'll pass the info on to XPart so they can help.
Below is the full response I received from XPart's sales manager. imo it is very good news
Regards
Mike
Good afternoon Mike,
Panel supply for all current MG Rover vehicles has been difficult. The majority of panelwork came from MG Rover at Longbridge but this stopped on 8th April last year when MG Rover fell into Administration which meant that we have had to resource to other suppliers.
This has now been completed with new tooling produced and panelwork availability is now rapidly improving. The biggest single problem is Rover 45 / MGZS bonnets- BKA 140100 and even these will begin to become available next week (although we have a significant amount of back orders to clear).
Rover 75 / MGZT panelwork has improved significantly in recent weeks - for example 140 bonnets have been delivered to us this week.
In addition, we are now able to strip down bodyshells still in Longbridge and this provides us with another source for panels.
There is a lot of uninformed rumour and speculation with regard to the future of parts supply for MG Rover vehicles. The truth is that XPart have c £40m of stock and ongoing supply agreements with all the major suppliers which will ensure the availability of parts for these vehicles. With regard to Panels - supply has been difficult but the action that we have taken will ensure long term ongoing availability.
Throughout the period when panels were in short supply, we have always attempted (and usually succeeded) in finding panels to stop vehicle from being written off.
In summary, panel supply has been a problem due mainly to the lead time necessary to produce new tooling and to set up manufacturing process. However, this is now easing and your members can be assured as to the ongoing long term availability of components for MG Rover vehicles. If there is a particular panel that is causing your member a problem - please let me know and I will attempt to source one for you.
If anyone on here is having problems getting a particular body panel then pm me and I'll pass the info on to XPart so they can help.
