A New Journey

HM-CTT1908 29/07/2014 | 0

A New Journey

MG is back and it is going global, this was the determined message from the Longbridge launch on May 29th 2007. A dazzlingly colourful shower of ticker tape confetti swirled around the pre-production MG sports cars as they led a cavalcade of MGs old and new to mark the official opening of the Longbridge MG factory. After press conferences and speeches a swarm of photographers and journalists finally got a glimpse of the latest pre-production models as they rolled off the line and out into the sunshine. Mindful of the rich heritage of the marque, NAC MG invited a wide range of enthusiasts and their cars to join in with the ceremony from the MG Owners’ Club, MG Car Club, Octagon Car Club and the Early MG Society. Many owners took time from work and made a significant effort to attend and support the event.

Signing the MG flag

James Kong operations Director NAC MG Longbridge talks to representatives of China’s press

Roche chats with Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council

The historic MG line-up with Peter Morgan’s MGC in the foreground

CAD system at Longbridge

The conference addressed a large media and VIP contingent from both the UK and China and there were speeches from guests of honour Mr Liang Buo Hua, Governor of the Jiangsu Province in China where NAC MG is based and Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council. In a special ceremony Roche was presented with an MG flag that had been signed by all the MG workers at Longbridge, now the established home of our historic marque. Since acquiring the assets of the MGR Group in 2005, NAC has been devoted to developing the MG brand and MG products, initially in China and Britain.

In only one year NAC completed the construction of a huge, modern production facility in Nanjing and had its first MG cars rolling off the assembly line on 27th March 2007 – which was also the date of the 60th anniversary of the company. NAC is also proud to have won the award for the ‘most attractive car’ at the Shanghai Motor Show held in April 2007.

In the UK, NAC has been hard at work at the Longbridge plant; the production lines have been modified to allow the recommencement of manufacturing; a highly experienced management, engineering and production team is now in place, ready to re-launch MG into the marketplace later this year, initially with the famous TF sports car. Longbridge is an essential part of the MG project. NAC fully understands that they need to keep the originality and Britishness of the brand and the UK is the only place where NAC can absorb the essence of British culture and transfer it into MG products.

The role of Longbridge will be as follows:

R&D centre for MG
Engineering & testing of MG models
HR recruiting for China and Longbridge
A purchasing and logistics centre for China and Longbridge
Manufacturing base for the UK and European markets
Sales & marketing base for the UK and Europe

The launch was the next crucial stage in NAC MG’s ambitious development strategy. “We realised from the outset of this project that retaining a manufacturing link with the UK is of fundamental importance,” says Yu Jian Wei, CEO of NAC. “Longbridge will play a leading role in our European operation and the plant is now in a position to commence TF production for the UK market. This is a very exciting time for MG and it’s an important boost to the economy of the Midlands manufacturing region.”

Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council said: “Longbridge is part of the fabric of Birmingham’s heritage and we are delighted that MGs will roll off the production line once again. We have worked in close collaboration with NAC to bring about today’s announcement. Two years ago, many people thought this day would never come. But as we celebrate a new era for Longbridge, I am delighted that NAC MG will breathe new life into this famous marque.

This clearly shows Birmingham making the most of international investment, and I am proud of the part the City Council has played to bring it about.”