Just a minor addendum, there was no timeline mentioned for the assembly of the cars, but it must be before the end of 2007, if they're planning 15K for the TF and 35K for the others.

Although, not all may come online at the same time I guess, the MG5 isn't slated to enter production in China until 2008 anyway.

 

Just a minor addendum, there was no timeline mentioned for the assembly of the cars, but it must be before the end of 2007, if they're planning 15K for the TF and 35K for the others.

Although, not all may come online at the same time I guess, the MG5 isn't slated to enter production in China until 2008 anyway.

I interpreted it as around 25K total for 2008 and 50K total for 2009 - 50K within two years.

Also, although he says that the Longbridge line can assemble 3, 5 and 7, I haven't seen any confirmation that the 3 or 5 will definitely be assembled there, that does appear to be the suggestion though.

(Not suggesting that Andy's translation is wrong in any way, just that the Autobot's interpretation may not be quite correct!)

 

It is excellent news. With some of the dealers due to be announced towards the end of this month, everything is starting to gather pace.

By the third anniversary of MG Rover closing down, everything should be going very nicely indeed.

 

MG 5 - Another facelift!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

to be far the mrk 2 mg zs 180's looked ace, they dont need a facelift

 

Has this been confirmed, or could it have been a mistake in the translation? I just don't want to get are hopes up if they are then dashed

If its true, then im over the moon!

 

How can they produce a MG5 when they don't own the IPR to the ZS (I thought Honda had vetoed any such future agreement)

 

Apparently most of the Platform doesnt contain that much Honda components, although assuming its going to undergo changes before it goes back into production (to make it look fresh and modern and to meet safety standards etc, it's probably possible to use a modified ZS platform to make a the MG 5.

 

Hope this is true, it be great to see Longbridge...back from the Brink

 

Yeah, it could be a mis-translation, although from Andy's translation it does appear to be saying that they will be. Lets face it though, even if its not 100% correct, its a good sign that they intend to produce more than just the TF at Longbridge.

 

That would still mean at least one non-TF model in production before 07 or not much after New year. If the TF is going to be about 5k in 08 then something is going to be 20k. Either the 7 is being launched by c. Feb next year, or the 3 and 7 models will both be in production by c. September.

Apart from today's articles, it was mentioned recently that the MG3 would be part-produced/part-assembled at Longbridge, and now that NAC UK are underwritren by that Chinese import/export business it seems more than a coincidence that the MG5 is being mentioned. NAC don't have a habit of saying 'possibly' except where dependent on product developments and sales targets, and even that has been dependent on funding that looks now to be assured. Maybe the funding situation got better, so the UK MG3 could be justified, and more recently better still so NAC can talk about the 45. So the funding and therefore sales factors are in place, that just leaves product.

Maybe the talk of MG3 for the UK is since NAC put the RDX60 25 replacement variant on a lower priority. That would be because they have decided to go with a heavily revised 45 for European sales, so the 45-replacement RDX60 is no longer slated for for the short term. The MG5 talked about might be the RDX60, but then they might have mentioned it in a UK context earlier as it's a natural for the 75 line. The RDX60 development is not dependent on external factors like the revised 45 is (i.e. the Honda deal). NAC have obviously been holding out for news on the 45 before commiting themselves to UK prodction. If the 45 is not revidsed enough because Honda won't allow it, then it's a no go for the UK, but investing in the RDX60 has not been NAC's priority as they haven't been able to spread resources to cover productionisation etc - until now perhaps. But that's irrelevent if a suitably revised 45 can come to Europe. The MG3 is presmably acceptable for UK production if the MG5 is revised enough to share components etc with it. Of course, the MG5 might be niether 45-based or RDX60, but 25-based instead...

This is about the right time for NAC to have finalised details of exactly what the MG5 is going to be - I suspect a heavily altered 45.

 

This is great news, mostly because I'm not going to part cash for anything that isn't produced in this country and a two seater sports car is very low on my priorities list.

 

It's still British in the essense of it's engineering and design. Would you of still bought a Eastern-European or Chinese made MG if MG-Rover were still about and had managed to get their production outside the UK?

I think this is excellent news if it's correct in translation. The MG 3 and 5 have great potential to become excellent cars along with today's standards. I wonder whether Mk3 designs are being taken into consideration combined with Lotus' efforts?

 

There is a chance of either a mis-translation or mis-quote here....

It should be pointed out that whilst NAC have EU type approval for the TF and ZT, the new MG3 & MG5 will not have type approval until they have gone through the process of getting this. Neither the ZR or ZS were designed to meet the new pedestrian impact regulations and as such, they will need to be redesigned to meet them, when they go on sale in the UK.

So it appears, the 3 & 5 may be some way away yet from UK production. Its more likely that the 7 may be assembled in the UK in the near future, but a couple of years for the 3/5.

I'm seeking confirmation and will update when I've got it.

 

There is a chance of either a mis-translation or mis-quote here....

It should be pointed out that whilst NAC have EU type approval for the TF and ZT, the new MG3 & MG5 will not have type approval until they have gone through the process of getting this. Neither the ZR or ZS were designed to meet the new pedestrian impact regulations and as such, they will need to be redesigned to meet them, when they go on sale in the UK.

So it appears, the 3 & 5 may be some way away yet from UK production. Its more likely that the 7 may be assembled in the UK in the near future, but a couple of years for the 3/5.

I'm seeking confirmation and will update when I've got it.

Assuming the translation is correct, I suppose it depends on how far advanced MG3/5 redesign is and how radical it is too. It also depends on what safety measures are necessary, and how long the type aproval will take.

Of course, a couple of years before production/assembly is pretty much what was being talked about...

 

According to Wu Ming, MG Technical Director, operations in the UK will include assembly on a shared line of the MG-3, MG-5 and MG-7. There will also be manufacture of the TF sports car. A small MG-TF assembly line is also located at the Nanjing Pukou factory.

Sorry, but I don't see any evidences that the MG 3 and the MG 5 will be assembled in Longbridge...
I read there will be a production line in the factory that will allow MG to produce three vehicules: 3, 5 and 7 series. And that's all. We should wait for the MG 7 only.

 

The 25/45 new fronts were not about pedestrian impact requirements. Thta legislation requires major engineering work to provide a minimum clearance between the underside of the bonnet and top of the engine. The legislation makes it almost impossible for low front designs with a front engine. I simply do not see the european 3 and 5 to bear any resemblance to the old 25/45. At best they may use some of the old platforms. The F/TF is a remarkably strong shell and i suspect the 75 shell was designed to ensure it would meet all known future crash/safety requirements known at the time.

 

The 25/45 new fronts were not about pedestrian impact requirements. Thta legislation requires major engineering work to provide a minimum clearance between the underside of the bonnet and top of the engine. The legislation makes it almost impossible for low front designs with a front engine. I simply do not see the european 3 and 5 to bear any resemblance to the old 25/45. At best they may use some of the old platforms. The F/TF is a remarkably strong shell and i suspect the 75 shell was designed to ensure it would meet all known future crash/safety requirements known at the time.

Anyone have a link to the rules :dddc:

The ZS new front has a lot more space behind it than the MK1, also the new plastic headlights were partly due to pedestian impact regulations. There may be a problem with space under the centre of the bonnet but the K4 does have some and they have had two years to sort it...

 

In a way it's not all the surprising is it? I mean LB has a production line capable of making over 100,000 cars a year. The minute NAC put the MG 7 into production then they will effectively need to employ workers to make 30,000 cars a year (for arguement's sake). Therefore in a modern production environment they will have staff capable of making 100,000 cars per annum but only making 30,000. The fact that they want to make all the cars on the same production line indicates the excess capacity they will have.

If LB could only make 30,000 cars a year then the production line's would be tailored to 30,000 per annum. Essentially it NAC are simply trying to fill capacity.

 

In a way it's not all the surprising is it? I mean LB has a production line capable of making over 100,000 cars a year. The minute NAC put the MG 7 into production then they will effectively need to employ workers to make 30,000 cars a year (for arguement's sake). Therefore in a modern production environment they will have staff capable of making 100,000 cars per annum but only making 30,000. The fact that they want to make all the cars on the same production line indicates the excess capacity they will have.

If LB could only make 30,000 cars a year then the production line's would be tailored to 30,000 per annum. Essentially it NAC are simply trying to fill capacity.

Better news than that.

The old 75 production line had a capacity of 175,000 75's a year. Even with some robots and parts having gone to China, I think a reworked line taking 3,5, and 7 could well be upped to 200,000 plus (I think tweeking could have taken the 75 line to 250,000 pa), and possibly more - particularly if round-the-clock shifts are factored in.

Longbridge itself no doubt has the capacity for 2 or 3 such lines, but obviously other aspects on the site such as the paint shop are restricted. MINI has managed in a much smaller site though, and got rid of it's bottlenecks.

As any UK operation is going to be far more automated and less labour-intensive than a Chinese one, and as Chinese land is cheap, Pukao can afford to spread out over many hundreds of acres, including the new site next door.

 

Yeah, I don't think the MG3 is changing much - which is probably the main issue. Its not the same with the MG5 as its having new metal.

 

MG TF will come from the Longbridge in 29th May

 

Where are the pictures?

 

Slightly off topic, but bah, thank God they've kept the TF name the same; all this MG 3, 5 and 7 all stink of a cheap BMW rip off. I still don't understand why they weren't kept as ZR, ZS and ZT, which are simple yet powerful names and very unique to MG.

Oh well... that they're still being made is an impressive thing in its self, but without a VVC in the new TF I won't be buying one. Anyway... good on NAC, they're certainly making things work for Longbridge, which is excellent!

 

Slightly off topic, but bah, thank God they've kept the TF name the same; all this MG 3, 5 and 7 all stink of a cheap BMW rip off. I still don't understand why they weren't kept as ZR, ZS and ZT, which are simple yet powerful names and very unique to MG.

Wouldn't an MG 3 & 5 clash with the Mazda 3 & 5?

 

So you wouldn't buy an MG TF 1.8T if they make one? Because that will make a similar 160PS, I would imagine

 

just for being silly couldnt a turbo be bolted on to a vvc engine to give some proper silly power out put (i appologise if this is a silly idea as im an engineering numnuts )

 

In a short answer, yes, maybe.

Would it be reliable at high power? Probably not. Plus, I'm not sure that a turbo and any VVC / VVT system are compatable anyway.

 

Yes but, but its not what most people would want, there is a good reason why a TF 135 will out accelerate a Mitsubishi Evo VIII at low (normaly used) revs!

 

tbh, a turbo would be good in the TF, the ZT160 I drove was quite a nice drive, the extra (albeit not huge) torque was noticeable and it did push you gently into the back of the seat.

In a TF, I'd imagine it would be even better. However, the main problem is cooling. Its why a supercharger would be better for the TF, but then you have the problem that you don't have the space for the A/C compressor.

 

Toyota provide a turbo conversion (TTE) for the MK3 MR2 which is VVTi and mid mounted and other aftermarket turbo conversions are also popular.

 

I want to say that the article said that the MG 3, 5 and 7 series can be made on the same line but it didn't say that all of them will be made in Longbridge.

The actual sentense said that NAC will first produce the MG TF at Longbridge, then MG7 and MG3 afterwards, and sharing parts and production process with the Nanjing plant.

MG5 production at Longbridge? That, I am not so sure.