International launch of all new
MG
24 November
2009
MG Motor is proud to announce today, the
international launch of the MG6, the first all new MG motor car
since the launch of the MGF sports car.
Guy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director for MG Motor UK said, “This
is a milestone day for iconic MG brand and for the UK automotive
industry. MG has begun the international launch of an all new
model, that has been designed and engineered here in the UK, for
the global automotive market. Currently we only build and sell the
mid-engined TF sports car here in the UK, but we can now look
forward to expanding the range of MG products.
The launch takes place at the Guangzhou
Auto show in China and is the beginning of an exciting new global
future for the MG brand. The launch in China, the world’s largest
automotive market begins the international roll out of sales of MG6
which includes the UK. Sales in China will begin in January and
plans for the UK and other markets will be released during
2010.
It was also announced today that
production of MG6 for the China market will begin at the brand new
state of the art factory in Lingang, China in December 2009. It is
also planned to commence production of MG6 at the Birmingham plant
in the UK before the end of 2010.
The world famous MG brand has never had such a bright future as it
starts to expand global sales with an exciting new range of
products.
About
the MG6
The MG6 is a sporting five seat fastback model, designed to capture
the character of the MG brand and bring something different to the
volume market.
MG6 Key Dimensions
Length: 4651 mm
Width: 1826 mm (without mirrors)
Height: 1480 mm
Specifications for the UK and European markets will be released at
a later date.
MG Brand
Corporate Identity
The MG6 proudly displays a new modernised
version of the famous MG octagon badge for the first time. This new
design is planned to carry forward on to all new MG models.
This new branding features in the new corporate identity for the
launch in China which also uses the Morris Garages naming. This
reflects the pride in the history of the brand, the need to
communicate this in new markets and is a clear differentiator for
the MG brand.
_________________
MG Longbridge 25 August
2009
MG TF135 is announced
Leather trim, standard on initial production models (subject to
availability).
Later production fitted with cloth upholstery.
Body Colours
Available
Specification
2 door soft top
convertible
Mid engine, rear wheel drive
1.8 16v EU4 petrol engine, 136ps
Anti-lock brakes with EBD
Black hood with heated glass rear screen
Hood cover
Front fog lamps
Front disc brakes with 4-pot calipers in red. Rear disc
brakes
16"V spoke alloy wheels
CD Tuner
Electronic speed sensitive power assisted steering
Remote centre door locking
Engine immobiliser
Perimetric/volumetric anti-theft alarm
Driver and passengers airbags
3 year/60,00 mile warranty
3 year European roadside assistance
MG TF 135 has a recommended retail price
of £13,511 on-the-road.
The on the road price includes 12 month road fund license and first
registration fee.
_________________
MG
Longbridge 30 May 2009
With all the LE500 been
produced, what is the next phase at Longbridge. In fact there will
be two new versions of the TF , both of which are now in production
and will be available in the Summer.
TF
135
This is an entry level TF
starting at £13,511 otr.
The actual specification has not been released yet.
TF 85th Anniversary
This is a limited addition
model with only 200 been produced, and will be priced at £15,664
otr. As can be seen from the first picture it will have distinctive
graphics, along with aubergine leather trim.
The suspension
will differ from the TF 135 version in that it will have a unique
drive and handling by having a Bilstein suspension set up. Other
items include special alloy wheels and air conditioning.
This page will be updated when final
information on the two models is available.
_________________
23rd January 2009
Nanjing is no more at Longbridge
On the 8th January 2009 the Company name changed from
NAC MG UK Limited to MG Motor UK Limited
So This
Is Now
This
And This
Is Now
This
The workforce at Longbridge now stands a
380 workers which includes 250 Engineers who have transferred from
what was the Shanghai Motor Technical Centre in Leamington. With
this transfer now complete, all staff employed by the new
company MG Motor UK Ltd are based
at Longbridge. Most of the engineers have moved into the
refurbished Sales & Marketing building that is opposite the
Elephant House, the rest will be employed in the Flight Shed on
component testing.
This International Engineering base will support both the UK MG
brand along with the Shanghai built MG and Roewe models.
There are strong signs that
a MG saloon based on the Roewe 550 could be built at Longbridge,
but most of the parts would come from China as a kit.
Auto Express pictures below have called it the MG
6
Artist
impression (Auto Express)
__________________
27th September 2008
This time the Journey has reached the first phase, with MG cars now
coming of the tracks at Longbridge, after three and a half
years.
MG TF LE 500 production
line
Trim
Line
Trim
Line
Under the
Bonnet
Front Sub-frame
and suspension
Rear Sub-frame
and power unit
Body and
Sub-frames come together
Wheels now
fitted
Coming off the
end of the line
Final
inspection and sign off
_________________
18th September
2008
First MGs LE 500 off to the
dealers
Yes, the first batch of MG
cars are now leaving Longbridge on their way to the dealers.
The dealer network, which consists of over fifty privately owned
independent, mainly family run garages, has invested in being the
shop window for the MG brand and giving a personal service to every
MG owner. Also, there will be appointed service agents across the
country, so that every owner will not have to travel far to get the
car serviced.
MG UK’s Sales and Franchise Manager, Stephen Cox, said; "It’s not
simply the number and geographical spread of dealers that make this
such an important part of the launch; it’s the quality of the
businesses involved. “Top class, personal service is at the core of
the LE500 launch and we will be delivering that promise by
innovating in the way we deal with customers, as well as attracting
owner managed businesses to deliver the brand experience. They have
the time, expertise and in many cases, a track record to support
the new car. Even as the LE500 is launched, dealers are still
coming forward and MG UK Ltd is still welcoming enquiries".
MG is also aiming high with the introduction of a Personal
Technician Programme (PTP) that will ensure that each of the LE500s
is effectively delivered with its own specially trained expert.
This kind of service will ensure that each and every customer can
be assured that the person responsible for their car knows it
inside out. On the day a customer takes delivery of their new MG,
their personal technician will introduce them to it and on the
occasions when the car comes in for its regular servicing, they
will be the one person responsible for the car. MG has supported
the new dealers in actively targeting staff for this role who are
not just skilled technically but who have shown a genuine interest
in the brand. A further benefit of this search, and the programme
that all the personal technicians must undergo at Longbridge, is
that all these specialists will also receive legacy training, so
dealers will be in a position to fully support MG models that
pre-date the new LE500.
Managing Director at Williams of Harrogate, Steve Williams, said;
“This launch is a great opportunity for dealers and public alike.
Importantly MG is a comfortable fit with the brands that the
majority of the new network currently represent, filling a real gap
at the recreational and fun end of the sports car market. “I know
my dealer colleagues have been impressed with MG UK’s approach to
the car, the brand and their commitment to customer service. This
dedication to the customer sits very comfortably with the way we do
business. In this market we all know that the clients must come
first and given MG’s focus on recruiting small owner run businesses
to represent the brand, the customer is clearly their main priority
too.”
The official dealer launch is this weekend (20 - 21 Sept) when MG
dealers all over the UK open their doors as part of the public
launch of the new model. As well as the opportunity to look around
the LE500, potential customers will be able to book a test drive
and pick up a brochure and other MG branded goodies.
Production is running at about 45 cars a week, this will probably
be increased shortly to 50. When the limited run of 500 has been
completed, you will have the opportunity of ordering your own
customised car with the options available.
By the end of the year they are hoping to have produced around 700
vehicles.
_______________________
8th
September 2008
Lined up and ready to
go
Deliveries should start this week.
Click on the arrow to see
the Working Lunch (BBC 2)
correspondent at Longbridge.
28th August 2008
MG TF LE
500
Click on the
arrow to see the car in action by the Express & Star
correspondent Wendy Lloyd
1st August
2008
MG
Production starts up at Longbridge
The launch of the MG TF LE
500 took place at Longbridge on the 1st August 2008. This was a
very low key affair compared with the last time in 29th May 2007.
But this time cars are coming of the line.
With a workforce of around 180, which we all hope will grow when
another model can be brought on stream.
The bodies in primer arrive along with the engine from China. All
the rest is sourced from the UK and Europe.
The specification is as follows:
Air
Conditioning.
16" 11
spoke alloy wheels in either black or silver shadow chrome,
dependant on exterior colour.
Bright pack on White, Blue, Red and Grey
cars.
Black Pack on Orange and
Black cars including fuel cap.
Black hood with glass
Heated Rear Screen.
Front
fog lamps.
Heritage
body-coloured Hard Top with glass Heated Rear
Screen.
ICE Fitment: Pioneer DEH
P69001B with iPod connector in glove box, all linked into 6
speakers;
Bluetooth connection kit available via
stockists.
Leather seat
facings.Leather covered centre
cubby boxes.
Leather covered steering
wheel._
Leather covered Handbrake
grip.
Leather gear lever
gaiter.
Black anodised gear
knob.
Passenger
airbag.
4 pot AP Racing front brake
callipers.
Full size 16" spare wheel
with scissor-jack tool kit.
Hood
cover.Volumetric and Perimetric
alarm with battery back-up.
Windstop.
ABS with
EBD.
Numbered sequence
on-interior-badge between occupants.
Electrically operated and
heated door mirrors._
Electric power assisted
steering.Remote key-blip-operated
double deadlocking.
Piano
black interior finish.
Rear parking
sensors.
New
instrumentation.New frontal styling.
Engine: 1.8 litre, 4
cylinder, 16 valve, DOHC, N Series engine developing 136ps with EU4
compliance._
Gearbox: 5 speed, close
ratio PGI type.
Combined with a 3 year /
60,000 mile warranty and 3 year European roadside
assistance.
All for just
£16,399
The opening picture said
Sold Out, because the MG is a limited edition version it is
available in the following colours. :- Black, Blue, Red, Grey,
Orange and White. But each colour was allocated a certain number of
builds. Only the following colours are still unsold, Blue, Red,
Black and Grey. So if you would like to buy, you will need to be
quick.
The number of UK dealers has risen to 55, so you should be able to
find one near you. They intend to also appoint service dealers to
carry out servicing and probable warranty work.
Stephen Cox, sales and franchising manager said the following:-“MG
is a uniquely British brand and everyone who has worked on it from
the receptionist up to the managing director has been looking
forward to this day. Obviously we are launching into a period of
what you could call economic recession but we are coping with that
and what we are not going to do is to over produce. Because we’re
dealing with relatively low volumes here we can do that. Next year
the company is aiming to produce around 2,000 of the MG sports cars
but, it’s a new beginning in many ways and we are planning to
produce different models here. We’re looking to produce a saloon
model which is still in the development stage at the moment but it
will be an entirely new model. It won’t simply be a rehash of an
old model. We’re expecting to be producing quite high volumes of
saloon cars by the middle of 2010.”
Birmingham City Council spokesperson.
Crash Testing (No Sound)
MG Nanjing Video
______________________________
Prices announced for MG TF LE 500
Launch 29th May
2007
£16,399
Gary Hagen, the company’s
Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted to be able to
bring in such a highly specified car at such a reasonable price.
When you consider the level of specification that comes with the
LE500, the package is extremely competitive.
NAC MG UK Limited said that the car deliveries will start in
September. It has the EU IV compliant, 1.8-litre 16v 135bhp engine
but now comes with a standard, body coloured, hardtop while the
sports-styled leather seats and piano black trim give the interior
of the car a visual lift. Parking sensors, a Pioneer MP3 compatible
CD/radio unit and LE 500 badging, graphics and trim complete the
upgraded package.
I feel that they have
priced it too high, and to sell a sports car in September is not a
good time of the year. Longbridge cannot survive on just one model,
SAIC will have to bring in another model.
_________________
More equipment leaving Longbridge
22nd May
2008
Nanjing have now started to remove
equipment from the assembly area, and ship it to China. It looks as
if this equipment is now surplus to requirements at Longbridge, now
that a decision has been made to import complete kits from China.
With a promise to start production of the MG TF in August from
kits. Perhaps they are making room and also altering the layout of
the assemble area?.
JULY-AUGUST ?
9th May 2008
SAIC-Nanjing
Nanjing UK chairman He Xiao Qing said that
production of the TF LE500 would start at Longbridge in July,
following a process of planning, re-organisation, active quality
improvements and parts optimisation that we recognise resulted in
frustration for our stakeholders. The re-launch of the car would be
in August, this is fifteen months after the launch last
year.
Director of Sales and Marketing Gary Hagen
said "The open top sportcar is an iconic image of British motoring
and forms the basis of the MG marque’s long pedigree. The launch of
the TF LE500 signals our determination to keep this class of car at
the heart of the brand as we take it forward. Meanwhile, designers
are already planning other exciting new models which the Chinese
say will capture the essential qualities of the MG brand, extending
the range into additional sectors. SAIC/Nanjing said in a
statement: The fact is that in 2008, desirable and competitive
British made sportscars will once again be rolling off a production
line in Longbridge".
_________________
MG - SAIC
26th April 2008
Will the sign
above actually mean what it says.
The president of Shanghai Automotive
(SAIC) along with senior managers visited the Longbridge factory on
Thursday 24th April to reassure the workers that production of the
TF would resume in July. This would be achieved mainly by the
import of kits from China. There was no guarantee that previous UK
suppliers would get work, as the president made it clear that
components would be sourced globally in order to get the best deal.
With the re-launch in August, which is not the best time in the
year to launch a sports car, it will be interesting to see how
sales go. If sales are good they may than decide to
introduce another model into Longbridge.
It appears that the Conservative MEP for the West Midlands, Malcolm
Harbour, had a meeting with SAIC president Chen Hong at the end of
March. Mr Harbour stated that "Mr Chen assured me that, following
their acquisition of NAC, Longbridge would be part of their long
term strategy of developing their own car brands and increasing
sales outside China."
If they decide to make Longbridge the European centre for research
and development alongside production, then this would make the
Longbridge site more viable. I think, however, that as No 2 Paint
Shop on the Lickey Road would be surplus to their requirements,
SAIC will wish to relinquish this building to the developer, St
Modwen.
_________________
20th April
2008
Was the
Slogan
But are the clouds
gathering over Longbridge.
It is just over a week ago
that Stadco, who own the body tooling, and had set up the welding
jigs for the MG TF bodies, made this statement. Stadco are
withdrawing from its contract to supply panels-bodies for the MG TF
on commercial reasons. I think that this is a polite way of saying
that, having set up the welding jigs at Longbridge over a year ago
and made less than 100 bodies, the time has come to call it a day.
Up to 30 jobs could be at risk with this move, it has also made
other suppliers, about 150 feel very unease’s.
So are we to see just kits coming into Longbridge for assembly,
which is not going to employ many people. One interesting point is
that SAIC, UK engineers were planning to move from the Leamington
base to the Flight Shed Longbridge before Christmas, will this now
be put on hold.
A union spokesperson stated that “unless the Chinese come forward
with plans in the very near future, nobody can come to anything
other than the conclusion that Longbridge will never produce cars
again”.
In conclusion, Rachel Eade, programme manager for supplier support
agency Accelerate, said she had been told that a Chinese delegation
was to visit the plant at the end of April. "I’m led to believe
that an investment decision on the future may well be taken," she
said. "Considerable time, investment and goodwill has been
channelled into restoring some form of manufacturing to Longbridge
and we are still hopeful that this will eventually take
place.
_________________
MG
Lola EX265
14th March
It all started in 2001 when the MG Rover
Group decided to spend a great deal of money and enter a car for
the Le Mans 24 hour race. Lola were given the brief and came up
with a design called EX257. In the actual race both cars failed to
finish mainly because of ignition trouble caused by torrential
rain, causing the engines to misfire.
Well seven years on and history is been
repeated with SACI now owning the MG brand. Lola has been
approached to fly the MG flag with an updated version which has
been re-homologated as the MG EX265. One of the main changes is an
association with Advanced Engine Research Ltd (AER) using the
two-litre turbocharged XP-21 engine.
RML AD Group’s new MG Lola EX265 completed a faultless first
shakedown test at the Silverstone circuit in February with the
Brazilian driver Thomas Erdos saying that he was thrilled by the
responsiveness of the new XP-21 engine, and looking forward to the
prospects of defending the LMP2 title in this season’s Le Mans
Series.
RML’s team manager Phil Barker stated that he was upbeat about the
team’s chances this year. Further testing will take place, and in
March the first official Le Mans test will be at the Paul Ricard
circuit in France.
The Le Mans race is on the 14th & 15th June. So SAIC feel that
they need to keep the MG brand in the public eye by sponsoring this
Lola built car.
Chinese Going Streetwise
8th March
2008
Nanjing had talked about bring out there
own version of the Longbridge Streetwise. Well now in China you
will be able to buy one this month. Its called the MG3 SW and comes
in two engine sizes, 1.4 litre coupled to a manual gearbox. or you
can buy the 1.8 litre version but only available in CVT form. The
price starts at £5683, with the top model at £8525. It appears that
MG dealers are now taking orders and deposits of just £365, well we
are talking Chinese prices. So how will his model compete in the
Chinese market, it appears that on price and specification it
should do well.
Now that SAIC and Nanjing are in reality one company, it will be
interesting to know how the two companies will line up the various
brands. Nanjing has in fact the MG mark, with SAIC having the
rights to the 25 and 75. the 45 was based on the Honda platform, so
was not in the deal. Well SAIC have just announced that they will
be using both the MG and Roewe brand names. Just to recap, SAIC
could not use the Rover name, which belongs to Ford and may soon be
bought by Tata when they take over Land Rover and Jaguar, so SAIC
decided to bring out there own brand which they call Roewe. Its
likely that the MG badge will go on the more sporting variants
including the TF, and for the more luxury upper market models will
be called Roewe.
As early as this month the first of the
new models is excepted to arrive, called the Roewe 750 using the
1.8t engine, It will be available in three versions, the lowest
specification priced at just £14,200 up to £16,330 for the top
model.
Roewe
750t
Both MG and Roewe brands are planning to
launch cars this year. Roewe is planning to launch the Roewe 550
and the Roewe 750 1.8t, the t stands for turbo. They may slot in a
smaller car in the mid-range, which would be call the 350. With the
launch of the MG3 Streetwise, and the MGTF, the next will be the
MG7 Automatic, it appears that the Chinese don't like manual
gearboxes, probable because of all the congestion on the city
roads.
There is even talk of producing a Mini type car in about three
years time, now that would be interesting. Will any of these models
find there way into Europe, via Longbridge we can only wait and
see.
_________________
Factory leased by SAIC-NAC at Longbridge.
3rd March
2008
If you are not familiar with the size of
the Longbridge plant, I have attached an aerial view and it also
shows what part of the plant is been leased by
SAIC-NAC.
Aerial view of Longbridge factory, it does not show what was the
Cofton works. The total area of the plant was about 410 acres in
red, with SAIC NAC leasing about 100 acres in
blue
Here we see a better picture of the area
leased by SAIC NAC.
The following numbered picture
are taken from the points shown.
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4 'Q' Gate
Picture 5
Production at Longbridge Stalls Again
16th Feb 2008
It was in May last year
that the Press were shown the new MG TF roadster at Longbridge,
with the slogan 'A NEW Journey', well now nearly ten months on and
still no cars in the dealers showrooms. With the various changes
happening at Longbridge and the latest owner Shanghai Automotive
(SAIC) starting to review the situation, it has decided to put
production on hold because of quality issues with some of the
components it imports from China.
SAIC is now hoping to start building the TF at one of its plants in
Nanjing, China, by May of this year but it still hasn’t fully
overcome the initial quality problems. Once production is finally
up and running at Nanjing, officials hope to kick start operations
at Longbridge just three months later, SAIC president Chen Hong
revealed to the Financial Times. “We want to begin production of
cars at Longbridge as soon as possible, but the first priority for
us is the quality of the product,” Hong explained. SAIC is wary of
China’s reputation of poor quality and doesn’t want to tarnish its
image by launching the TF without the quality customers
expect.
A SAIC delegation have been meeting Nanjing managers this week at
Longbridge and SAIC's vehicle development base at Leamington Spa,
said an official close to Nanjing. The executives will then decide
on the carmaker's future model policy for Europe and determine
which models will be assembled at Longbridge. One executive was
optimistic a decision on future models and production volumes would
result from the visit.
SAIC president Chen Hong said recently the company aimed to restore
production of original MG models at Longbridge soon and planned new
MG models for Europe. "The British business will become SAIC's
platform for overseas markets and a window for SAIC into Europe,
Now is a fairly crucial time in the process," he said. Eleanor de
la Haye, Nanjing's Longbridge spokeswoman, said three models could
be built at the plant.
With 50 dealers already selected to sell the car in the UK and with
officials planning to follow with a U.S. launch within the next one
to two years. The carmaker definitely has ambitious plans.
Officials are considering launching at least three new models,
including a replacement for the TF which it hopes could be produce
as early as 2010.
As you can see from
the above, it appears that we may have to wait a few months for the
dust to settle until the real plans for Longbridge are announced.
(Webmaster)
_______________
Will the SAIC-Nanjing
Company Deliver ?
27th Jan 2008
There is growing concern
now that Nanjing who bought the MG name and all the production
equipment, has still not delivered a single car to the
dealers.
In fact when the Official Press Launch was made at the end of May
2007 we were told that they would be with the dealers by about
September. It is now nearly February 2008, four months on, and
still no cars in the showrooms.
The Nanjing UK corporate communications manager stated recently
that she was no longer "allowed" to reveal details of Nanjing's
plans for Longbridge. She went on to say, "I am not fully briefed
about what the short-term or long-term plan is for the plant". When
pushed further about the tie up with SAIC, her reply indicated that
they were very pleased with the merger, but it was going to take
time before all the issues had been resolved.
Unions were pressing the
company to try and find out who is now responsible for the running
of the Longbridge plant. Dave Osborne the union's car industries
organiser said that having contacted the company back in November,
he had still not received a reply. "We have grave concerns about
the re-launching of the MG brand, but now that SAIC are in the
driving seat, perhaps their plans for Longbridge are more positive
than Najing have turned out to be".
Report on the Press Day at Longbridge
29th May 2007
Will the rising
sun over 'Q' gate, be a new dawn for Longbridge?
MG TF
Hardtop
The only obvious changes are a new front bumper and instrument
pack
This is the scene that
greeted the Press on arrival at Longbridge, then it was on to
registration in the Elephant House. A collection of MG models
throughout the years were on display.
1925 Super
Sports
1928
14/40
Then it was on to the
Showroom, sorry Conference Centre which was packed with VIP from
both the UK and China along with the press and camera crews
As some of the presentation was in Chinese it was difficult to
follow at times, although the VIP etc did have headphones for a
translation.
The main theme was that Nanjing wished to build on the long
tradition of the MG brand, and welcomed the support that it had
received from the MG Clubs and owners. Longbridge would be the
International Headquarters with Sales & Marketing along with
Product Development.
Exchanging
signed banners between MG car clubs & Nanjing
Time now to move to the Assemble Line
Outside were lined up a
number of MGs
Article and
pictures by John Baker
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