Do we know what's planned for the re-launch day of Longbridge next week?

Any notarities invited?

I noticed the Royal Train leaving BRadford today....perhaps they were heading to Longbridge early to bags a good seat?

I doubt it mate, they seem to prefer Audi's. Maybe it is down to their Germanic blood line!

 

I'll be there

Apparently there will be over 80 Chinese VIPs there too.

 

With a camera I presume Steve?

 

Naturally

 

Who cares? They are hardly employing thousands like MG Rover did

 

Say hello then!

 

Will do, if I see you (& recognise you)

 

Steve, a picture of Ann with a new TF please :dddc:

Someting like:

 

I wonder if that bloke is saying "look at the front treatment on that" or "I reckon Monogram green is the best colour, much better than Summer Fashion black(!)"

It's funny how many new cars are orange. The new Skoda in particular, always in orange.

The Daily Telegraph said this today:

MG production restarts at Longbridge, via China

By Roland Gribben
Last Updated: 1:01am BST 29/05/2007

First there was Herbert Austin. Then the British Motor Corporation arrived, followed by the British Leyland Motor Corporation. They were succeeded by Rover Group, British Aerospace, BMW and then it was back to Rover.

Today the best-known name in the chequered history of the British motor industry reopens.

China's Nanjing Automobile Corporation is the latest vehicle manufacturer to move into Longbridge, the one-time tin box factory in Birmingham.
advertisement

The plant where Herbert Austin produced the first Austin Endcliffe in April 1906 has almost miraculously survived the changes in ownership and technology amid the turmoil that has engulfed the British motor industry in the past 30 years.

Nanjing is breathing a little new life into a smaller plant with the start of MG production two years after Longbridge closed following the collapse of MG Rover.

There will be a token restart with pre-production MG TF cars rolling off the assembly line, while a cavalcade of MG cars around the plant will provide a reminder of the factory's history. Mike O'Brien, the area's MP, will welcome the new owners and see whether Liang Bao Hua, the governor of the Chinese province where Nanjing is based, can persuade other businesses to migrate to the Midlands.

Nanjing aims to start selling the Longbridge cars through its emerging dealer network later in the year, although how many British- made components will be inside the vehicles is uncertain. Components are being shipped from China, where Nanjing has already started producing the MG7, based on the MG ZT saloon.

Production should have started earlier but for a little local difficulty involving product quality. So far almost 100 British dealers have expressed interest in selling the Longbridge product while SAIC, the bigger Chinese manufacturer that bought the rights to the Rover 75, is planning to use SsangYong outlets for its British exports. Nanjing used the Shanghai Motor Show to unveil the MG range with the MG7, MG5 based on the old Rover 400 and the MG3, a revamped version of the MG ZR, scheduled to join the Longbridge line-up.

Few of the 6,000 former MG Rover workers will find jobs there. Current plans involve building up the labour force to 800 this year.

 

Guy with the ginger hair doesn't look too happy about her leaning on the car does he!

 

Looks more like a "fffwaor" expression to me

 

He ain't looking at the car or thinking about the car!

 

I know I wouldn't be, if I was in his position :rofl:

 

what car???

 

sorry to interupt the drooling.

Are they making TFs in china yet or just MG7s?

 

According to the news story, they are making MG7's and MG TF's

 

Friday 25 May, 2007:
We are delighted to announce that we will be celebrating the long-awaited return of the historic MG brand to the UK, and the start of MG’s “New Journey.” On 29 May, 2007, a ceremony will take place at the home of NAC MG (UK) in Longbridge, and will be attended by Senior Chinese and UK government and company officials. The first pre-production MG TF 2-seater sportscar models will head a historic MG cavalcade featuring models spanning the most important eras in the carmarker’s history.

It is important to note that this event does not mark the start of production at Longbridge – that will follow later once all preparations are complete.

Images and more information on the event will be available for download on the 29 May.

Source: www.mg-uk.co.uk

 

on: icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk

MGs to roll off Longbridge production line May 25 2007


By John Revill, Manufacturing Editor

One of the most famous marques in British automotive history will be officially reborn in Birmingham when the production lines restart at Longbridge next week.
Tuesday will be the day which many MG enthusiasts feared they would never see after the carmaker was plunged into administration two years ago.

A new pre-production MG sports car will be driven off line by new owners, the Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC), at a special ceremony at the once dormant plant.
Roche Bentley, chairman and founder of the MG Owners club, said: "This is something which we did not think would happen - we are going to see an MG coming off the line at Longbridge again.
"It's a day of celebration, it is going to be emotional. MG is probably the most famous name in British automotive history after Rolls Royce, and it will be great to see it back.
"The alternatives were unacceptable."
Attended by figures from the council and NAC, as well Liang Bahou, governor of Jiangsu Province of China, the ceremony will also see the unveiling of new MG models designed for the European market and set to be produced at Longbridge.
The restart is expected to directly create up to 300 jobs for local people, with future expansion and job creation dependent upon car sales.
This figure is a mere fraction of the 6,500 employed by MG Rover before mounting losses and falling sales triggered the company's collapse in April 2005.
Coun Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham council, said: "This is a significant day for Birmingham and the West Midlands, one that many people thought would never happen.
"Over the last two years we have worked tirelessly behind the scenes with NAC to build relationships and make this outcome a reality.
"NAC has made their commitment to Birmingham, and I believe it is a commitment that will last. They have already made us their European headquarters, and a centre for research and development.
"In all my dealings with NAC, I have been impressed with their commitment to the plant and am confident that Longbridge will once again become renowned as a by-word for excellence, a real centre of high-class manufacturing."
Earlier this year the Post revealed the first car to be built at Longbridge since NAC bought the factory - an orange TF.
Nanjing Automobile, which bought the assets of MG Rover for £53 million in July 2005, has already constructed an 800,000 sq metre factory in China.
The plant will eventually employ 4,500 people and produce up to 200,000 cars per year.
NAC chairman Wang Hang Biao said: "We are excited about the prospect of manufacturing the new MG TF in the UK and are extremely grateful for all the support the leadership of the council has given us.
"At the beginning of our time in Birmingham, we were facing great difficulties in proceeding our business plans and coping with culture differences. However, the encouragement and support we have received from the city has made us sure that we will succeed."
"We are looking forward to working in Birmingham to make the MG brand highly regarded once more."​

 

the ceremony will also see the unveiling of new MG models designed for the European market and set to be produced at Longbridge.

....

 

I heard an interview with that ******** whitby on local radio the other afternoon, he seems to be under the impression that NAC have done ALL the development work for EU4 compliant "K" series !! Someone should have told him the vast majority of it was done prior to the closure of LB ! He sees himself as some kind of saviour of Longbridge when all he is concerned about is the next election ! All the interview was about what HE had done, the city council had done and how they are so pleased that 300 employees have got a job !

Shame they didnt do a bit more in April 2005 considering Birmingham City Council is labour controlled ! Would have been interseting to see what he would have said had the factory been totally demolished, head in the sand then i reckon !

Rant over !

 

I heard an interview with that ******** whitby on local radio the other afternoon, he seems to be under the impression that NAC have done ALL the development work for EU4 compliant "K" series !! Someone should have told him the vast majority of it was done prior to the closure of LB !

Yeh, but it's not like it's a whole car or anything. Now what might that be?

 

i hope that they produce at longbridge...MG3, MG5 and MG7. I also hope that NACs plans for a US Plant go ahead.

 

I wonder if they will be announcing the first batch of dealers???

 

"It is important to note that this event does not mark the start of production at Longbridge – that will follow later once all preparations are complete."

I'm just slightly concerned at this, as an official announcement. Am I just a tad pessimistic?

 

I would imagine thats just preempting all those comments along the lines of "Look at those pictures- the factory is empty! Hahahah" that accompanied the Chinese launch pics..

 

I guess it wont be a line built car then either !! :handbag: :dddc:

 

What one made in China instead????:handbag: :dddc:

 

I was thinking a one from 2004 made at longbridge, which was shipped out to china then reshipped to the UK. :handbag: :dddc:

 

I am glad my post was taken in the right context !! :bgrin: Good luck to NAC and it will be nice to see cars coming out of the place again.

Just hope the mass of the British public buy them and not just enthusiasts. NAC Have a major PR wagon to get rolling. Hopefully there will be some decent advertising done this time around instead of the rubbish that used to be used !

 

Yep, so long as the two old ladies in the TF dont return.

 

..............eh?

 

That is indeed good news John.

 

Sunday Times (Business) says that the launch (ribbon cutting) is next week...but due to quality problems with the TF's means that production proper won't start until the autumn at the earliest.

Anyone know if that's true?

Maybe the TF's will be coming from China for the ceremony?

 

So who is gonna be there on Tuesday? I'm working monday and have Tuesday off so might have a trip down there...

 

I'm going and it's by invitation only i'm afraid.

 

no it wasnt bad, it was just what some clever 'person' might say. I personally thought it was hilarious until my sister pointed out that it was typical MG having old people driving them (she is an audi lover).