Topic: MG Reborn

[Ultra]

Longbridge reborn
Jan 30 2007
By John Revill, Manufacturing Editor

The doubters said it would never happen. But yesterday, the long-dormant lines at Longbridge finished the first new MG at the factory for 662 days.

The MG-TF was the first of several thousand cars to be built at the site, which faced a bleak future when manufacture stopped on April 7, 2005.

At first there were no buyers; not even Shanghai Automotive – a one-time suitor of MG Rover whose exit from a joint venture precipitated the meltdown.  Some thought this was the end.

Even the granting of an extra week through the securing of emergency loans from the Government and the intervention of Tony Blair seemed to be in vain.

Hopes were raised when a three-way battle between Shanghai, Nanjing Automobile Corporation and the British-based Project Kimber consortium was joined to buy the assets.  But when Nanjing emerged victorious the knockers feared it would be little more than a lift and shift operation.

The firm was a pygmy on the global stage, while trucks carrying machinery to the docks for despatch to China did little to allay fears.

Then, last year Nanjing signed a deal to stay at Longbridge – a smaller portion of the plant, but for 33 years nevertheless. Despite personal assurances, the cynics remained unconvinced – there was six month get-out clause.

Slowly, the doubts began to dissolve when the clause was allowed to lapse.

Meanwhile, plans were hatched to begin making the cars in the US – once a massive market for MG and where the marque was still revered for its racing heritage.

Suppliers who had been badly burned in the earlier collapse shed their inhibitions and began to provide the components so badly needed.

Yesterday saw the result of the long wait, with the first car in 662 days continuing the Longbridge tradition.

Longbridge may never return to volume manufacturing and employ thousands of souls, but this picture is proof that its lines will continue to produce cars that can proudly claim to be 'made in Birmingham'.

MG5



Longbridge production stepped up
Jan 30 2007
By John Revill, Manufacturing Editor
 
The first car produced at Longbridge since the Nanjing takeover.

Nanjing Automobile Corporation has completed its first two Birmingham-built MG cars and says plans to restore production at Longbridge are on schedule.

Nanjing (NAC) aims to resume full manufacture of the sports car by April 7 this year – the second anniversary of MG Rover going into administration. The cars finished off yesterday were the first of 42 test vehicles which will be built at Longbridge in the coming weeks.

Each will undergo extensive examinations to iron out any production problems before manufacturing resumes – when the number of employees at Longbridge will rise from 110 at present to 250.

The firm, which bought the assets of the carmaker for £53 million, has already passed nearly all of the Vehicle Certification Tests needed to launch the car.

A remodelled version of the TF will go on sale in the UK from July, while the old style will be launched in China. The restyled version – which includes a remodelled front end – will also go on sale in the Far East later this year, while hard top versions will follow in 2008.

Production will begin earlier in China in order to mark NAC's 60th anniversary, where the TF will be built along with the MG 7 – Nanjing's version of the Rover 75 which will be built in long and normal wheel base versions.

James Lin, operations director of NAC, said: "Everything is totally under control, all of our plans are going according to schedule.

"When we first came here people did not believe we could do it. Some suppliers were a bit sceptical, but over time they have come around.

"It is getting much easier and having produced these cars shows just what we can do."

While the finishing touches have been made to the TF in Birmingham, the car has also been undergoing extensive testing in China. They have been undergoing altitude preparation work in the foothills of the Himalayas, and heat trials on the southern island of Hainan.

Meanwhile the car has been exposed to temperatures of minus 35 degrees centigrade close to the Russian border.

Body pressings maker Stadco has moved part of its welding shop to Longbridge, while deals have been signed with 120 UK-based suppliers to provide components.

Initial production will run at around 3,000 vehicles in the first year, rising to 8,000 per year in 2008 and 12,000 by 2009.

Mr Lin said: "We have produced these cars so we can carry out our final tests, but also to give everyone confidence we can produce these cars and we have the capability to restore full production.

"Some people have been worried about that, but now they are confident when they have seen what we can do. Now they can come and see the evidence."

Mr Lin said work was under way to develop a dealer network in the UK to sell the cars, with discussions with more than 50 operators across the country.

He said some were very keen to take the new MGs, but appealed for help from the British public.

"Now we want people to support us. I remember reading about Admiral Nelson and his message about England expects every man to do his duty.

"We have restored production at Longbridge and now we want people to help us. If they love the MG brand or history, it is their country's car industry and history as well.  This is not just our challenge to sell the cars. We have had help from suppliers and various authorities.

"Now we want the British people to support us."


MG7

[Rich]

Hmmmmm.......

[Jagman]

Was the MG7 - nee Rover 75 ever being built?
And, did it look like the pic or is that just an artist's renedering of what they hope it will look like? Cause, I kinda like it........

[MG]

The MG logo on the front needs to be bigger!   

[Arthur Dent]

production resuming I assume is them using up the half built cars left on the assembly line ... we'll see where it goes from there.

[Jagman]

Lastly, on first reading this, I thought our erstwhile member from RI had had a religious experience!

[MG]

Tis true! I drove past a Catholic church on the way to work!   
 

[Boxer2500]

Don't do it.... don't drink that communion wine!

Next thing you know, you'll be tithing 10% of your take-home pay and playing more bingo than you ever thought possible.
















[recovering Catholic speaking here]

[MG]

Religious zealotry aside, I think the reawakening of the MG marque is an interesting but insignificant event for the American car buying public. IF they build it, it will be equivalent to the new Alfalfa Romeo sedan. A lovely car totally unknown to the American car buyer with questionable service and support and priced to compete against BMW, Lexus, Infiniti and MB.

The American market is shrinking in terms of the manufacturers competing successfully here.  Ford will soon be a division of Toyota. GM will become a subsidiary of Daewoo.  And MG?  Fuhgeddaboutit.  Not happening here.   

And now, I think I will plan to drive by Temple Beth Israel today in my continuing attempt to sample the architecture of all the world's great religions!