Selon certains membres du forum anglais (MG Rover-org.), pour l'instant à l'usine de Longbridge, ii y a principalement 17 ex-employés MG Rover et tous les anciens patrons sont partis.Tous ceux qui sont déjà là y restent au moins jusqu'au environ de Pâques. Mais Nanjing a déjà commencé à recruter quelques personnes. Le terrain de l'ancienne partie de l'usine où se trouvait Powertrain (qui a été délocalisée en Chine) est désormais à louer.
Ils enverraient donc les moteurs de PRC pour les 7Z et TF montées à Longbridge ? Bizarre.Exact. Les chinois ont bien fait une "opération de mainmise" sur POWERTRAIN ("left and shift" = délocalisation), le groupe "motoriste" de MG Rover. J'avais déjà lu cette info. quelque part.
Ca me ferait chier que ces connards de PVH reviennent sur le devant de la scène :bof:
En gros, la prod va reprendre?
en préparation jpense :)
Les drapeaux bleus et blancs sont ceux de la NAC :roll2:
Nouveau pare-chocs pour la ZT ?Ces photos viennent du site web autocarmagazine (voir le sujet qui date de quelques mois" MG return in the pipeline"sur ce site anglais) mais le design de la nouvelle MG 7 (ZT restylée) n'a pas encore été dévoilé :wink:
Quelle belle brochette de WINNER :lol:
Il n'y a qu'une seule femme :ddr:
... avec une charmante jupe mouchetée :wink: ...Avec le nombre de mecs à côté, c'est peut-être volontaire :bag:
On se moque pas :o| , ce sont les sauveurs de l'industrie automobile britannique lol.
Savez vous précisement la relance du site de Longbridge sera oppérationnelle ? On lit tellement de chose
Mi 2007 pour la TF ?
A quand des photos ?
Autoexpress parle d'un simple restyling avec des retro clignotant et une modification dans l'ouverture des portes, parchocs différents c'est tout (idem au proto de coupé TF)
Donc on est rassuré, ils vont faire quelque chose de l'usine et de la marque
Merci de la précision, je corrige dans le texte cet "anglicisme"(présent dans le Robert...mais qui prête un peu à confusion il est vrai), je n'avais pas traduis le terme "decade"de l'anglais au français. :mrgreen:
dans le calendrie révolutionaire, les mois sont divisés en décades ( et non plus en semaines) et les jours sont renommés de unidi, duodi ... jusqu'à decadi, dixième jour de la décade
Ben pas tout à fait. Décade est issu de DEUX mots latins, deca qui signifie 10 et dies qui signifie jour et qui au pluriel doit donner quelque chose comme dii, enfin selon la déclinaison. Il doit même exister un terme latin du genre decadi qui doit se traduire par "période de 10 jours". Décennie est une altération de "deca anni" qui signifie "dix ans". Par contre, en Anglais (et c'est très utilisé par les amerloqies), effectivement, decade (donc sans accent sur le e) signifie décennie, c'est ce qu'on appelle 'un faux ami".
Tiens à propos d'année en latin et d'Angleterre, rappellons le mot de feu la reine mère qui avait qualifié une année de la fin de la décennie 90 d'"annus horribilis", ce qui avait fait beaucoup rire vu la proximité de prononciation d'annus avec un mot ayant une autre signification. C'était d'autant plus drôle que la dame avait fait une erreur, l'expression exacte aurrait été "anno horribilis". Eh oui, la culture, c'est dur pour tout le monde, ùêùe pour ceux qui pourraient avoir le temps de s'y consacrer. Et c'est aussi comme la confiture, moins on en a, plus on l'étale... :wink: :lol:
Tout à fait citoyen Artemon :o|
La Convention agit pour le bien du peuple :o|
Et que tombent les têtes qui prétendaient le contraire :multi:tu me fais la récap vite fait sur le topic là stp olivier :ddr: lol
tu me fais la récap vite fait sur le topic là stp olivier :ddr: lol
de mémoire, c'est un topic sur longbridge, qui est parti en digression sur le terme décade employé au lieu de décennie, mais c'est pas moi qui ai commencé, m'sieur l'admin :lol:je parlais des gens à guillotiner! MDR :ddr: lol
glissant:
Classe :sol:Sur le site web de STADCO, on trouve des précisions :
enfin des bonnes nouvelles. Vivement la suite
Encore une excellente nouvelle 8) :
Nanjing a pour projet de produire dans les 2 ans une nouvelle version de la MG ZT à Longbridge (UK), selon Automobile News. On attend la confirmation officielle de la NAC.
"Nanjing plans to build ZT in the UK
China's Nanjing Automobile says it will begin building a new version of the the lower-premium ZT sedan in England within the next two years. "
(Je n'ai que ces premières lignes car je ne suis pas abonné...)
SOURCE: Automobile News
A signaler un point de vue positif sur Nanjing dans le Birmingham Post, 21/09/2006. 8)
En résumé, selon Christopher MacGowan, l'un des directeurs des représentants des concessionnaires de l'automobile britannique, la NAC a fait tous les bons changements pour que la reprise de la production à Longbridge soit un succès. Il a confirmé que la NAC était engagée pour le moment dans une production limitée mais que leurs dirigeants ont de grandes ambitions pour l'avenir. Leurs plans ne sont pas basés sur une seule usine ni sur un seul modèle, ils parlent également de voitures produites en grand volume, en plus des voitures de sport. Le Royaume-Uni sera leur rampe de lancement pour investir le marché européen.En matière de technologie de moteur, ils sont parvenus à se hisser au niveau des dernières évolutions, et leurs voitures seront différentes, d'une manière significative, en termes de technologie et de design. MacGowan a pu voir certains concepts des prochaines générations de voitures et elles semblent très enthousiasmantes.
Va t on revoir une p'tite Austin, comme a la grande époque, on peut rever non ?En tous cas, la NAC a annoncé officiellement hier qu'elle avait déjà commencé à travailler sur la conception d'une petite voiture, reste à voir après le badge (Austin ou MG ou autres).
Good new maintenant des actesLes choses ne bougent pas vite et il va falloir encore patienter pour voir la production de la remplaçante de la MG ZT sortir des chaînes de montage de Longbridge. Peut-être en 2008...
La prod de l'usine Chinois étant lancé le 27 mars 2007, il va falloir que Nanjing acccèlere et nous montre enfin sa gamme relookéeVivement que la production reparte pour oublier l'abandon de l'usine depuis plus d'un an, voir ce film : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mpyhOfgIyA&mode=related&search= (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mpyhOfgIyA&mode=related&search=)
Vision d'horreur sauf la Tata, quoique .... :eek:
Elle rêvait d'être une Rover, tralala lala :yeah:
Elle a fini à la casse, lalalère :yeah:ou dans un drift dans le 59
Une nouvelle air pour notre marque préféré ? :)Ces vieux bâtiments coûtaient une fortune à chauffer...car mal isolés.
Bonne nouvelle Perkins, la reprise de la production au printemps prochainLe retour de MG en 2007 passe nécessairement par le salon de Genève, mais avant il y aura le salon de Shangai au printemps. Il y a encore beaucoup d'incertitudes par rapport aux modèles MG à venir. Pour la MG TF MKII on ne sait pas si elle sera sensiblement différente extérieurement(optiques, pare-chocs...), mais il se dit qu'il y aurait des modications au niveau de la position de conduite, des sièges, et de certains éléments électriques...sinon la MG TF MKIII viendra probablement dès 2008, avec le coupé et l'usine américaine qui est un projet annoncé très solennellemnent et qui a le soutien de membres influents de l'Etat d'Oklahoma ( cf. conférence de presse de juillet 2006 http://www.okcchamber.com/media/audio/MGPressConference.mp3 (http://www.okcchamber.com/media/audio/MGPressConference.mp3) ).
Esperons un stand au salon de Genève, histoire de couper l'herbe sous le pied a saic
Ah oui les clichés ont deux semaines :?:2 mois... :mrgreen:
http://www.euronews.net/create_html.php?page=detail_eco&article=403881&lng=2...
C'est clair que ça fait dépassé :?Le vieux bâtiment (à gauche sur la photo) a été vandalisé : c'était le premier local (sorte de bureau) dont se servait Herbert Austin :?
Il y a aussi une métro ou 100 au second plan.
Sinon cela me rappelle des souvenirs. :eek:
ça fait un peu usine fantome :ddr:Le gars qui a pris ces photos s'est introduit sans permission dans l'usine hier, dimanche, de 12 à 17:30heures, et il dit qu'il n'a pu voir qu'une infime partie de l'usine, c'est pourquoi ces photos donnent cette impression d'usine fantôme. Le site de l'usine est immense et Nanjing a prévu de n'utiliser qu'un tiers de sa surface, ce qui permettrait déjà de produire au moins 200 000 voitures par an à terme. Pour l'instant leurs objectifs sont encore mystérieux pour ce qui est de Longbridge.
tous les chassis qu'on voit, ce sont ceux que MG-Rover a laissé à la fermeture de l'usine?
Tout ce gachis!!!! :(Tout cela est triste mais il est sûr que les dirigeants de Nanjing ont prévu de se servir de tous ces "restes" d'une manière ou d'une autre, Longbridge a encore un avenir mais on ne sait pas lequel... :mrgreen:
Autres photos du 25/02/2007 (prises sans autorisation) dans l'une des parties les plus désaffectées de l'usine :ça fait pas mal "archaïque" quand même :D lol
http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=9760
Sacré boulot pour remettre certaines parties en l'étatLes dernières photos concernent la partie de l'usine qui va être plus ou moins démollie, c'est pourquoi le gars qui a les pris ces photos a pu entrer sans être inquiété. Une autre partie de l'usine est en très bon état avec au moins 2 chaînes de production prêtes à fonctionner dont une qui avait été installée par BMW en 1999 pour produire la ROVER 75. Cette partie de l'usine doit être bien gardée...
Il n'y a jamais eu de chaine instalée par BMW à Longbridge pour la Rover 75.La chaine de la Rover 75 etait à l'epoque BMW à Oxford, usine qui a été récupérée par BMW pour la mini.Effectivement, très juste,merci de cette précision :mrgreen: je voulais dire que l'une des chaînes de production qui est encore à Longbridge est celle que BMW a financé et installé en 1999 pour le "MG ROVER GROUP", donc elle est censée être encore en bon état, d'ailleurs certains journalistes anglais ont pu la visiter en 2006. Initialement cette chaîne de production n'était pas plutôt à l'usine de COWLEY (à 1 km à peu près au sud est d'OXFORD) ? :wink:
La chaine qui est à Longbridge a été démontée d'Oxford lors du "lachage" de Rover par BMW et remontée par MG Rover à Longbridge
Nombreuses autres photos de l'usine sur : http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/En effet quelques belles photos récentes, mises en ligne le 03/03/2007 sur www.28dayslater.co.uk:
On attend tous de savoir sous quelle forme la 7 reviendra chez nous.
La même qu'actuellement au mieux, NAC manque de budget pour financer ses projest et recherche des partenaires ...La situation n'est pas encore très claire, mais les dirigeants de la NAC ont affirmé hier qu'ils avaient des fonds sécurisés pour les 2 usines (Pukou et Longbridge), des fonds suffisants pour réaliser la reprise de la production de Longbridge, mais sur les 5 ans et avec un objectif de 500 000 voitures produites, ils veulent élever leur budget notamment pour lancer les véritables nouveaux modèles sur lesquels ils travaillent depuis l'année dernière et qu'ils veulent produire en 2008 (des MG et des AUSTIN). L'ouverture du capital de NAC-MG est peut-être une stratégie habile pour s'allier avec des partenaires (anglais ou/et américains) afin de bénéficier de leur savoir-faire, leur plan est peut-être plus ambitieux qu'ils ne le disent ou alors ils sont particulièrement prudents (connaissant les difficultés rencontrées par MG ROVER dans le passé).
Tiens une 200 Mk III :aga: , ce n'est pas sérieux de vouloir relancer ces antiquités, sauf à les vendre au prix des Logan.Outre Manche certains pensent que le design de Peter STEVENS est encore populaire parmi les jeunes, mais il est clair que la MG 3 devra être sensiblement améliorée pour bien se vendre. Tout va dépendre des améliorations techniques et de l'équipement remis au goût du jour, peut-être tout spécialement pour le marché européen.
je soutien ce que dit fantomas, si les chinois repartent sur d'anciennes bases la presse les tailleront en pièce lors de la commercialisation et les gens ne verront pas qu'il y a eu d'evolutions depuis une decennie pour le peu de nouveauté que l'on voit :roll2:ça semble évident, ce qui a échoué ne sera pas un succès, sous prétexte que ça vient de chine.
je comprend pas pourquoi ils ne veulent pas repartir sur de nouvelles bases, il y a fort a parier que certains modèles se vendront bien en asie ou dans des pays qui roulent encore en VW des années 80 mais en europe c'est voué a l'echec :?
je soutien ce que dit fantomas, si les chinois repartent sur d'anciennes bases la presse les tailleront en pièce lors de la commercialisation et les gens ne verront pas qu'il y a eu d'evolutions depuis une decennie pour le peu de nouveauté que l'on voit :roll2:Le volume de production annoncé pour Longbridge (50 000 voitures d'ici à 2 ans comprennant les MG TF, MG 3 et MG 7) est faible, les chinois ont anticipé délibérément le faible niveau des ventes pour l'Europe : le marché chinois est leur priorité d'où la reprise des anciens modèles dans un premier temps. Le faible recrutement à Longbridge(entre 500 à 800 personnels) est aussi un signe qu'ils ne veulent pas subir de pertes financières. Je répète qu'ils veulent faire de l'argent avec le rachat des actifs de MG ROVER en rentabilisant les restes, sans faire immédiatement de gros investissements que nécessiteraient le lancement rapide de nouveaux modèles. Bien sûr cette stratégie est discutable, surtout en tant qu'européen.
je comprend pas pourquoi ils ne veulent pas repartir sur de nouvelles bases, il y a fort a parier que certains modèles se vendront bien en asie ou dans des pays qui roulent encore en VW des années 80 mais en europe c'est voué a l'echec :?
L'image de Rover est bien écornée désormais. Par contre la côte de MG est toujours favorable :jap:Les nouveaux propriétaires ont fait retirer le sigle ROVER sur le site de Longbridge, voici les dernières photos du mois de mai 2007 :
" :mg: group " une groupe avec une marque cela résume bien la déliquescence de l'industrie auto UK ...Ils vont bientôt ajouter AUSTIN... :mrgreen:
Ils vont bientôt ajouter AUSTIN... :mrgreen:
Ca me fait vraiment mal au coeur de voir ca :(
Qu'ils se deleste de Rover comme ca !Toute la responsabilité en revient à BMW en achetant les actifs du groupe en 1994, en gardant le droit d'utiliser le nom ROVER en 1999 avant de céder l'affaire, puis en vendant le nom à FORD en 2006. Désormais le nom ROVER repose provisoirement à SOLLIHUL (UK) auprès de LAND ROVER, son lieu de naissance. Vues les affaires de FORD et les différentes marques de haut de gamme en sa possession, FORD ne devrait pas utiliser la marque ROVER dans un premier temps, sauf si le vent venait à tourner, notamment en vendant le groupe VOLVO... et en se consacrant à la production d'une nouvelle gamme dessinée et produite en Grande-Bretagne auprès de LAND ROVER...mais cette hypothèse est peu crédible tout au moins dans un cours terme.
Oui je sais bien, de tout façon BMW c'est servit en prenant la technologie 4x4 à Land Rover pour son X5 et la Mini à Rover pour sa nouvelle twingo (mini) !il faut pas oublier la serie1 qui aurai du etre une rover
Oui je sais bien, de tout façon BMW c'est servit en prenant la technologie 4x4 à Land Rover pour son X5 et la Mini à Rover pour sa nouvelle twingo (mini) !
pas de photo de l'arrière?Pas encore mais cela va venir
Encore une photo, pas mal la TF en blanc et en noir : http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/images/news200705_09.jpgBelle photo en effet.... :)
sur les photos de l'usine c'est des anciennes TF :(D'où la précision "phase de pré-production", mais c'est vrai que ça embrouille un peu les esprits, il aurait été mieux de présenter sur la chaîne de production les "nouvelles" MG TF.
sur que certains croiront que c'est une chevrolet :ddr:un "roadster" Chevrolet :mrgreen:
Yessss, un coupé MG7, depuis le temps que j'en reve !!!!oui, mais jusqu'à présent le coupé MG 7 n'a jamais figuré officiellement dans les plans de Nanjing, il est possible qu'ils étudient la possibilité de le produire (en tous cas certains journalistes l'ont aperçu dans un coin de l'usine)mais à mon avis ils ont plutôt intérêt à se concentrer sur le renouvellement des ZT,ZR et ZS au lieu de proposer un modèle destiné à une clientèle très limitée.
J'en avais entendu parlé, de ce magnifique Coupé, sur le forum de mg-rover.org.
Allez, une p'tite photo, faut nous la trouver !
c'est un photoshop ça, ça n'a jamais été aperçu où que se soit :D lolPour le centenaire de ROVER, le design avait été diffusé de façon assez confidentielle
J'avais recu, à l'époque, 3 belles photos de qualité de Rover France. Collector tout ca.
Esperons que Nac les sortent
La plupart des photos "officielles" sont travaillées par ordinateur, tu n'as qu'a regarder les différentes versions de la 75 (mk1 et mk2) sur la même photo à quelques années d'écart (faudra que je la retrouve un jour).+1 tout pareil :)
Ce n'est pas parce que c'est publié pas le constructeur que ça ne peut pas être un "fake"; moi j'avais compris à l'époque que ces photos se contentaient de rendre compte d'un projet à venir, mais qu'aucune réalisation matérielle de ces véhicules n'avait été réalisée (à mon plus grand regret d'ailleurs).
Elle tue,sauf l'intérieur bien ringard :?
Je trouve au contraire l'intérieur splendide, tout à fait old england+1
Les vieux sièges moletonnés comme un canapé des années 2 :DC'est classe :). Et c'est justement ce qui plait au type de clientèle qui risque d'acheter cette voiture, produit adapté à la demande....
C'est classe :). Et c'est justement ce qui plait au type de clientèle qui risque d'acheter cette voiture, produit adapté à la demande....Tout a fait d'accord :)
Les sièges en eux-même ça passe ouais,mais mattez les petits boudins sur lescotés de l'assise,c'est franchement affreux :lol:ben c'est British :bah: C'est pas une voiture pour faire le jacky :mrgreen:
La MG 7 sera fabriquée à Kaliningrad (l'ex Koenigsberg du Grand Reich) par Avtotor, on peut supposer qu'elle sera exportée sur le marché de l'UE, l'oblast (russe donc) de Kaliningrad étant enclavé entre la Pologne et la Lithuanie.A ma connaissance, l'info n'a pas été communiquée officiellement (des discussions ont bien eu lieu) et quoi qu'il en soit une chaîne de production de la ZT/ZTT demeure en l'état à Longbridge, reste à savoir pour quel modèle ils comptent l'utiliser (une nouvelle MG 7 ou un autre modèle ?). Quant à la MG 3 dérivée de la MG ZR on est dans le flou total, ils n'en ont pas parlé lors de la dernière cérémonie à Longbridge mais ils ont bien prévu de lancer une "nouvelle" petite voiture. Pour la MG GT le lancement a été confirmé pour l'année prochaine. :D
Ca sent le fake cette MG3 :bah:tu devrais lire les posts de perkins et de arnaud durant ton abscence nico :wink:
Parkins: les signatures, c'est 700 de large x200 de haut :wink: il serait possible que tu la réduise? :)C'est fait :)
C'est fait :)
Merci... moi j'ai pas accès à ça :wink::jap: :ddr: lol
"Heureusement" diront les mauvaises langues :bag:
Merci :)oui je ne sais pas trop quelles formalités il faut remplir mais j'imagine que ça doit être possible. Quelqu'un sait ?
Par contre pour l'importer ça va être la merde non ? Vu que la marque ne sera pas encore représentée en France :bof:
a qui appartien la marque rover maintenant???????????La vente de Jaguar et Land Rover ne devrait pas trop être différée et avec il y aura la marque ROVER qui va changer de propriétaire. Le groupe SAIC s'est manifesté mais il n'est pas souvent mentionné car les favoris sont les américains CERBERUS et JPMORGAN, puis les indiens de TATA. Ce serait une surprise si la SAIC arrivait à l'emporter face aux fonds d'investissement américains et le groupe FORD.
j ais entendu dire que ford allais se separer de land rover et jaguard , qu an est il???
ce serait bien si la nac arrivait a reconstruire le groupe mgrover!!
La MG TF LE 500 mise à l'épreuve des tests aux alentours de Longbridge : http://youtube.com/watch?v=3VF1jJLsQ9kil y avait un peu de vent non ? :aga: lol
Nanjing takeover date is set Dec 13 2007
By John Revill
A full takeover of Nanjing Automobile by its domestic rival Shanghai Automotive will be sealed on Boxing Day, The Birmingham Post has learned.
The two companies - which have competed over the MG Rover legacy - have agreed in principle to a merger to create a Chinese automotive giant.
Under the terms of the deal Nanjing Automobile Corporation would own no more than 15 per cent of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
But sources said the deal would not affect NAC's plans to restore vehicle production to Longbridge and relaunch its version of the MG TF early next year.
The deal would create the biggest Chinese automotive maker, with a combined production of more than 1.6 million vehicles.
It would be a step towards creating a national Chinese car champion that would eventually compete head-on with global giants.
The Beijing government is seeking to strengthen the industry by encouraging tieups and mergers.
No names have been decided for the new joint company, although East Ocean Company is among those under consideration.
A source said: "This will be good news for Longbridge. SAIC will bring more products and volumes at Longbridge will be higher than before.
"It is a logical move. SAIC is much bigger than NAC and has more money. Joint groups could work together on the engineering and research and development."
The takeover could also pave the way for NAC's blueprint for Longbridge, which will see part of its portion of the old South Works site redeveloped.
A new design centre could be set up, to house the 250 engineers who have been working for SAIC at Ricardo's site in Leamington.
The source added: "Instead of having two separate R&D centres there could now be one. The total investment in R&D, manufacturing and sales and marketing will go up."
No new buildings will be constructed under the blueprint, although existing offices will be refurbished.
The blueprint will also include greater capacity for production and a better logistics and quality control.
This will be necessary as part of the plan is to source more components from China to ensure profitability and reduce the problems the firm has had with defective parts imported from the Far East.
Broken windscreens were among the parts which delayed the relaunch of the TF from this year into 2008.
SAIC is thought to have said it does not want to interfere with NAC's plans.
The source said: "SAIC respect NAC's plans but will look at how to improve things in the future. That is the Chinese way, one firm will not say 'I am the boss', they will co-operate."
The long delayed relaunch of the MG TF will still go ahead at either the end of February or the beginning of March under the plan.
But the deal, although a takeover, has been approved by both companies.
"It is like a marriage. If you want to marry someone it is impossible if the other person doesn't like the other one. Once these companies were competitors, now they have become part of one family, which is very good for sales and marketing for example.
"Of course this is good news for Longbridge, because it means a bigger firm. It means there is going to be more money to develop the next generation of cars. SAIC has some very big ambitions to redevelop this area. It will be giant company," the source added.
A spokeswoman for SAIC said: "Apart from a July 26 letter of intent to cooperate with Nanjing Auto, no new agreement has been signed so far."
She said she did not know when a deal might be announced.
SAIC's ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen are China's biggest car sellers, with combined sales of 441,584 cars in the first half of 2007, or 14 per cent of the market.
But the company faces tough competition in the commercial vehicle area from local rivals FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor. Nanjing Auto's MG brand cars, Yuejin light trucks and Iveco light buses could be valuable additions to SAIC's portfolio.
"East Ocean Company" rien que ça, à peine ronflant comme appellation, c'est dirigé par qui le Général Bison :?: :lol!:on dirait le nom d'une Compagnie aérienne ou d'une agence de voyage :lol: le nouveau boss c'est lui :
China's SAIC Motor, Nanjing Auto announce merger
Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:47am EST
By Jason Subler and Shen Yan
BEIJING (Reuters) - Top Chinese car maker SAIC Motor Corp and smaller rival Nanjing Automobile Group announced a long-expected merger on Wednesday, creating a national car champion that aims to rival big multinationals.
Separately, Italy's Fiat said it had agreed to sell its 50 percent stake in its loss-making passenger car venture with Nanjing Auto to the Chinese firm, ending a long-strained relationship.
SAIC Motor will pay 2.095 billion yuan ($285.7 million) for the vehicle and core auto parts operations of Nanjing Auto, owner of the classic MG Rover brand, the Chinese firms' parent companies said in a joint statement.
Nanjing Auto's parent company, Yuejin, will in return get 320 million shares in SAIC Motor, the statement added, equal to 4.9 percent of the Shanghai-listed firm's total shares.
"Faced with global competition, we need to go down the path of mergers and consolidation," SAIC Motor Chairman Hu Maoyuan told reporters.
SAIC Motor's ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen AG are China's biggest car sellers, with combined sales of 441,584 cars in the first half of 2007, or 14 percent of the market.
The MG Rover facilities in England, acquired by Nanjing Auto in 2005, will serve as a platform for tapping the European market, SAIC Motor President Chen Hong said.
Nanjing Auto's Yuejin light trucks, as well as Iveco light buses made in another tie-up with Fiat, could be a welcome addition to the portfolio of SAIC Motor, which faces strong competition in the commercial vehicle segment from FAW Group and Dongfeng Motor.
Announcing the sale of its stake in the passenger car joint venture with Nanjing, FIAT said it would nevertheless keep working with the Chinese group in the commercial vehicle and components sectors.
Fiat had been openly concerned about its relationship with Nanjing ever since the Chinese automaker began working on the relaunch of the MG brand. Fiat was worried that this was distracting Nanjing from its commitments to the joint venture.
MORE CONSOLIDATION
China's fast-growing auto market, the world's second largest, is crowded with more than 100 players, with global heavyweights such as GM and Volkswagen playing a major role.
Government officials in Beijing have said they want to see an industry centered on three or four auto groups that have the resources and technology to succeed globally.
The tie-up between Nanjing Auto and its much bigger rival could be held up as a model as regulators coerce small auto makers to merge into bigger players, analysts and executives said.
"We have seen that happening in the steel industry. Consolidation of the auto sector is also inevitable sooner or later," said a Beijing-based analyst, who asked not to be named.
The SAIC Motor group sold 1.25 million vehicles in the first 10 months of this year, dwarfing Nanjing Auto's sales of 79,196 units, according to official figures.
Under the tie-up, Nanjing Auto's non-core assets, including trade and services, will be folded into Dong Hua Co, a joint venture between SAIC Motor's parent company and Yuejin, the statement said.
SAIC Motor's shares, which were suspended from trading on Wednesday, closed up 2.7 percent at 27.01 yuan on Tuesday. They have surged more than 230 percent this year, vastly outperforming a 96 percent rise in the benchmark index .SSEC.
($1=7.333 Yuan)
(Reporting by Jason Subler; Writing by Fang Yan; Editing by Edmund Klamann/David Stamp)
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I've just got off the phone from the NAC-MG UK spokesperson, and it's been confirmed that the MG TF production plans are very much on target.Source : forum mg-rover.org 03/01/2008
As for future utilisation of the Longbridge plant, Longbridge will be featuring strongly in SAIC and NAC's future plans.
SAIC/NAC merger good for dealersSOURCE: AMOnline
11 January 2008
Author: Tom Seymour
The merger of Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) into Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) brings together the assets of MG Rover under single ownership.
The sale of the UK’s last major British manufacturer in 2005 gave Nanjing the MG brand name and the remnants of the Longbridge production facility, while SAIC took the intellectual property rights to the Rover 75 and 25 and the engine-making division.
Ford retained the Rover name which came as part of the deal when it bought Land Rover.
However, the Rover name could soon be in the hands of Tata Motors if its bid for the Land Rover and Jaguar brands succeeds.
SAIC sells a version of the 75, called the 750, under the name ‘Roewe’ in China. To add to the confusion, Nanjing has been developing a 75/MG ZT-based car it calls MG7, as well as the new TF.
The merger of Nanjing into SAIC will solve the two companies’ ongoing copyright and technical disputes.
Chen Hong, SAIC Motor president, said the Longbridge facility would serve as a platform for his company to tap foreign markets with the MG brand.
Funds from SAIC will help launch Nanjing’s much delayed TF in the UK and Europe. It was due to go on sale late last year but dealers are still waiting for deliveries.
David Wood, general manager for Luffield Cars which has signed up for the MG franchise, said: “There’s a lot going on in the background but we haven’t had much info fed through to us yet.
“I think the merger is good news for us and UK dealers. SAIC will add strength and resource to NAC.”
Wood expects the first MG TF demonstrators to arrive at his Loughborough dealership at the end of February. “It’s crucial for the product to be right. There can’t be quality issues,” he said. Luffield has 800 MG prospects on its database and has already held a special viewing of the new TF with seven customers. Prices are still to be confirmed.
“I’m certain the MG7 will also come to the UK; it’s one of the better prospects for the UK and it’s based on a good platform,” Wood added.
He believes that SAIC will use the MG brand as a global product and will keep the ex-Rover models for domestic markets.
However, if SAIC wanted to pair up the new MG and Rover franchises in the UK again, Wood said he would consider it.
“If the two markets could be differentiated from one another, then we would consider taking on the Rover models,” he added.
NAC UK has confirmed that it intends to bring three more MG models over to the UK over the next five years. The MG3 small hatchback (Rover 25 equivalent), MG5 lower medium car (Rover 45 equivalent) and MG7 saloon (Rover 75 equivalent) could all make their way to the UK and could all be built at Longbridge.
MG's two-seater poised to make return
By John Reed in London
Published: February 5 2008 02:00 | Last updated: February 5 2008 02:00
Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) hopes to begin producing the MG TF two-seater in Nanjing in May and at its plant in Longbridge, UK, within three months of that date, a senior executive said yesterday.
But SAIC admitted the car's long-awaited relaunch could be delayed again as it grapples with quality issues and rebuilds tooling bought in 2005 from bankrupt MG Rover and shipped to China by Nanjing Automobile (NAC), with which SAIC merged in December.
"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," Chen Hong, SAIC's president, told the Financial Times yesterday.
"If we launch the product on the UK market and don't have sufficient quality to meet customers' expectations, we damage the brand."
The relaunch of MG's two-seater, which has a passionate UK and US following, will mark the highest-profile European debut for a Chinese-made car. SAIC has selected 50 dealers to sell the car, and distributed a teaser brochure with the slogan "A New Journey".
MG is studying at least three new models, including a replacement for the TF, which it hopes to produce from 2010, Mr Chen said. However, the carmaker is still building a supply base in China and Europe that would allow it to meet European quality standards. About 70 per cent of the car, including its engines, will be made in China, and 30 per cent in Europe.
"From the point of view of SAIC, more time is needed for quality," Mr Chen said.
Other Chinese carmakers, including Chery Automobile, have recently postponed export plans over qualityconcerns. Some Chinese cars exported to Germany have performed poorly in crash tests and been derided in the motoring press.
"They realise the eyes of the world are upon them," a person close to SAIC's management said yesterday.
SAIC is one of China's biggest and most ambitious carmakers, and has joint ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen.
Honnêtement ça ne me surprend pas: effets d'annonces, coups d'esbrouffes, projest fantasmagoriques (cf l'Oklahoma ...) voilà à quoi nous assistons globalement depuis 2005 :roll2:Et voilà que l'on annonce que des dirigeants de la SAIC sont cette semaine en visite à Longbridge pour décider des modèles et du volume de production afin de relancer l'usine anglaise.
Chinese to decide UK factory's future
Nanjing–SAIC must decide on models, volumes at Longbridge plant
Tony Lewin
Automotive News Europe
February 6, 12:57 CET
A high-level delegation of executives from Shanghai Automobile Industry Corp. is in the UK this week to discuss the integration of its local operations with those of Nanjing Automobile.
SAIC took over Nanjing late last year. The deal has delayed Nanjing's planned restart of production at the former MG Rover plant in Longbridge, central England.
No cars have been assembled there since the factory's grand reopening in May last year. Nanjing got control of the factory in 2005 when it bought the assets of MG Rover, which collapsed because of financial problems.
The Shanghai Auto delegation will meet Nanjing managers at Longbridge and visit SAIC's own vehicle development base at nearby Leamington Spa, said an official close to Nanjing.
The executives will decide on the carmaker's future model policy for Europe and determine which models will be assembled at the Longbridge factory. Nanjing's plans for the plant have never been truly clear beyond the promise to build a limited volume of the MG TF roadster.
'Crucial time'
One executive close to the process was optimistic that a decision on future models and production volumes would result from the delegation's visit.
" Now is a fairly crucial time in the process," he told Automotive News Europe.
Up to three volume models could be built at the Longbridge plant, Eleanor de la Haye, Nanjing's Longbridge spokeswoman, said.
Last month, SAIC Motor President Chen Hong said SAIC aims to restore production of original MG models in Longbridge soon. It also plans new MG models for Europe, he said.
"The British business will become SAIC's new platform for overseas markets and a window for SAIC to Europe."
In 2005, Nanjing beat SAIC in a bidding war for MG Rover. Soon after the acquisition Nanjing started looking for a financial partner to help it relaunch Longbridge production. Industry observers said Nanjing did not have the financial resources to revive volume production at the plant.
Car production started in Longbridge in 1905. At its height in the 1960s the factory was one of Europe's biggest plants, building more than 360,000 Austin, Morris and MG cars annually.
Et voilà que l'on annonce que des dirigeants de la SAIC sont cette semaine en visite à Longbridge pour décider des modèles et du volume de production afin de relancer l'usine anglaise.
Jusqu'à 3 modèles pourraient être assemblés à Longbridge, selon Eleanor de La Haye, porte-parole de MG. Un des dirigeants de la SAIC était optimiste par rapport à la décision de choisir d'assembler de nouveaux modèles à l'usine anglaise.
Il faut maintenant attendre l'annonce officielle de la SAIC qui devrait suivre cette visite.
SOURCE: Automotive News
Two powerful car dream which depart from Grand Mercure MG brand back to the British Understanding
February 14, MG of Grand Mercure "respect privileges, brand back" to the activities of the United Kingdom arrived at the first leg of the UK's largest century British MG Longbridge car factory sites. On that day, the MG brand name Jue envoy visited the famous British MG Longbridge factory, AUSTIN studio and VEC (Vehicle R & D center), as well as BMH (Birmingham) Museum.
(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2553/longbridge625921image00fs5.jpg)
"Buy Japanese cars, buy the tools; cars in Germany, select the machine and the British car, owned by the arts." From the invention of the automobile more than 100 years, the United Kingdom has always been considered to represent the ultimate technology and automobile grade, the value of luxury, elegance these many words in the car the perfect embodiment. British car manufacturing industries have always been regarded as the originator of the world automobile industry, product quality堪称classic in the classic. People in the UK automotive strict and realistic manufacturing concept and gave birth to MG Rover, Rolls Royce, Bentley, MINI as the representative of a large number of world-renowned brands. Fundamentally, it is creating a brand quality, and rigorous, realistic guarantees the quality of the automobile.
MG's century-old history can be said to mapping the history of the development of the British automobile industry. MG William Morris, founder of the British automobile industry as one of the founders of the British MG that the contribution of the automotive industry. In the car, the MG is the most superior of the era of car products, the Nanjing to buy 53 million pounds after MG name to Fusheng Grand Mercure in China, and the full product line will transplant the most essential characteristics juice Original Reservations.
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.http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/page77.html (http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/page77.html)
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
(http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/files/page77_5.jpg)Here we see a better picture of the area leased by SAIC NAC.
(http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/files/page77_6.jpg)The following numbered picture are taken from the points shown.
Picture 1
(http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/files/page77_7.jpg)
Picture 2
(http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/files/page77_8.jpg)
Picture 3
(http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/files/page77_9.jpg)
Picture 4 'Q' Gate
(http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/files/page77_10.jpg)
Picture 5
(http://www.austinmemories.com/page77/files/page77_11.jpg)
JIANG Fan headed to the Senate Nanjing companies inspected work in the United Kingdom
2008-03-12 00:35
March 6, JIANG Fan of the Senate and lead the business-funded enterprises in the secretariat of the staff to Longbridge in Birmingham in the United Kingdom Limited Nanjing conducted a three-day safety inspection and operation of the investigation. JIANG Fan Participation in public companies operating officer Linchihu and others, accompanied by inspected the plant welding, painting and final assembly plant plant, and asked in detail about and understanding of the enterprise in the production safety regulations, systems and work processes, and Enterprise emergency response capacity, and to listen to the company's business development in the introduction. JIANG Fan Participation of the public companies in the production safety work fully affirmed the achievements remind enterprises to production safety work should attach great importance to a long and unremitting grasp.
March 7, 2008 Birmingham Chamber of Commerce annual dinner in Birmingham, was solemnly held at the International Conference Center. Birmingham City Mayor Mike Whitby, the United Kingdom Ministry of Commerce, Minister of State Jones, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce President Rod Ackrill, and other guests attended the service and speech. JIANG Fan invited to attend the Senate. Birmingham city government is formulating the "big city" (big city plan), the next 20 years to develop the local economy, the establishment of international linkages, the provision of first-class service to be adopted and cost more than 170 million pounds to the Birmingham development planning in Europe and the international economic and financial centres. City and the business community and the public in close cooperation with the Greek world economic power, China, India and other emerging countries in the economic, social and cultural areas such as the establishment of close ties. In his speech, the mayor also specifically mentioned last year, the South China welcomed its steam European headquarters and research and development facilities to move to Birmingham Longbridge, Birmingham and expressed to continue to strengthen cooperation with China's strong desire.
March 6, the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom JIANG Fan leading a delegation to the Senate Nanjing British company Longbridge base.
Fan Jiang and his entourage of seven people, including Senate Embassy Economic and Commercial Office and the British Association of Chinese-funded enterprises, primarily to visit Longbridge production base and inspected security situation. Deputy Chief in Linchihu, accompanied by the Senate Jianggong visited the conference center, and Austin offices, classic cars museum, visitors center, welding, painting and assembly, and the history of the MG car particularly interested.
Business Services Senior Manager Gary Egan, as well as health and safety manager John Domican for visiting dignitaries details of the British health and safety law, risk management, personal protective equipment, asbestos safety and environmental protection. Since the 2005 acquisition of the assets of MG Rover, after nearly 500,000 square meter plant demolition and 5,000 container shipments, after two years of preparation for the production, tooling renovation, equipment debugging, Longbridge base has created the miracle of zero accidents .
Jianggong Senate praised the company for the staff to provide a safe environment made by the tireless efforts and for companies to become aware of China's enterprises in the British law-abiding example, and said that the Embassy will make efforts to enhance the function of enterprise services for the South Steam the healthy development of UK companies provide full support. (Zhang Qian Qian)
(http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7533/longbridge2008324163621ek5.jpg)
JIANG Fan Public Participation (left) and deputy general manager of Nanjing British companies in the MG TF Linchihu limited edition photographed with the former
25 April 2008Source : Birmingham News 25 avril 2008
Birmingham News
Hope for cars in 2008
Apr 25 2008 By Jon Griffin
LONGBRIDGE'S production lines will be up and running again by the second half of 2008, Birmingham council leader Coun Mike Whitby said today.
The car factory which fell silent with the demise of MG Rover in April 2005 will finally be kick-started by Chinese giants SAIC in around four months' time, it is claimed.
In the face of widespread scepticism from unions and some automotive industry experts, Coun Whitby told the Mail following a high-level meeting with SAIC President Chen Hong: "The Chinese are committing many millions of pounds to Longbridge - they are determined to make a success of this.
"We held frank discussions at a private meeting at the Council House. There is a strong personal relationship here and I am more than confident now about the future of Longbridge.
"There has been a whole range of speculation and I have kept silent until now. They have given me a firm commitment on the resumption of MGTF production later this year.
"SAIC are no small company - they are the fourth largest automotive company in the world and I have been reassured of SAIC's commitment to invest heavily in Longbridge."
The prospect of a return of car production to the factory emerged following Coun Whitby's meeting on Wednesday night with a top delegation from SAIC Motor, including President Chen Hong, in the Leader's offices at the Council House.
"I put a whole range of questions to Mr Hong. You cannot keep Longbridge going on just a sports car - they are preparing to make an imminent announcement about new models."
Meanwhile, Northfield MP Richard Burden, a long-time supporter of Longbridge, who was at the car plant for yesterday's visit by the SAIC president, said: "Getting things ultimately right is an awful lot more important than making promises, putting timetables on things or setting production targets.
"When the merger of Nanjing with SAIC - effectively a takeover - happened, I thought that, if anything, this was probably good news for Long-bridge. SAIC are much bigger players in China, they have got much greater resources than NAC.
"I was impressed with what SAIC had to say. They said that Longbridge is uniquely important to MG, and are fully committed to reviving the brand."
But unions remain angry that the Chinese have continued to stonewall their requests for meetings, citing the absence of HR Manager Louise Lane on maternity leave as the excuse.
Gerard Coyne, regional secretary for the T&G arm of Unite the union, said this week: "This is not about HR matters. We are as much in the dark as is humanly possible."
Encore des speculation et une illustration de : http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/
On aimerait bien y croire à une nouvelle gamme MG venant d'angleterre
LONDRES - Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp a un nouveau plan quinquennal afin de reprendre la production automobile à l'ancienne usine MG Rover à Longbridge, au centre de l'Angleterre.Source : Automotive News Europe, 28 avril 2008 http://www.autonews.com/section/ANE
SAIC va produire quatre gammes et au moins 50000 unités par an, selon Eleanor de la Haye porte-parole à Longbridge.
SAIC va produire le TF Roadster, une grande voiture et deux voitures qui partagent la même plate-forme que la Roewe 550 moyen-inférieur à hayon, qui a été dévoilée lors du Salon de l'auto de Beijing ce mois-ci, selon de La Haye.
Les nouveaux modèles seront entièrement fabriqués à l'usine de Longbridge, et pas seulement assemblés à partir de kits importés de Chine.
SAIC est devenu propriétaire de Longbridge quand il a acheté Nanjing Auto pour 2,1 milliards de yuan (environ 196 millions d'euros) en Décembre. Nanjing a acheté les actifs de MG ROVER en 2005, après que le constructeur automobile britannique se soit effondré en raison de problèmes financiers.
SAIC et Nanjing vendent les versions de MG Rover , les 75 en Chine (SAIC Roewe 750 et Nanjing MG7). La Roewe 550 utilise une version plus petite de la Rover 75 , issue de la même plate-forme.
De la Haye a déclaré que la ligne de production pour la Rover 75 est encore intacte à Longbridge.
SAIC s'engage à ne pas vendre ses voitures en Europe avec la marque Roewe, selon de La Haye. Elle ne pouvait pas dire si SAIC utilisera la marque MG en Europe pour les voitures construites à Longbridge.
SAIC ne peut utiliser le nom de Rover. Tata Motors'a aquis le nom ROVER (vendu par Ford Motor) quand il a effectué son achat de Land Rover et Jaguar.
De la Haye a déclaré que la production de la TF est prévue début août
Certains éléments pour le TF seront expédiés à Longbridge de la Chine, dit-elle.
Elle ne peut pas dire lorsque la production des trois autres modèles commencera.
À son apogée, Longbridge construisait 345000 voitures par an. Nanjing avait initialement prévu 200000 voitures par an à l'usine.
Plus tôt ce mois-ci, le fournisseur anglais STADCO a déclaré qu'il se retirait de son contrat pour la production des MG TF à Longbridge.
Cela a fait craindre que SAIC ne pourrait pas reprendre la production automobile à l'usine de Longbridge.
Plan de la SAIC pour Longbridge
Modèles: 4
Production annuelle: 50.000 *
Première voiture: TF Roadster
Redémarrage, date: 1 août
* Estimation
Ridicule, l'an dernier c'était les mêmes sornettes!!!!!!!!!!!!+1 au fil des mois j'ai l'impression de revoir les mêmes posts :ddr:
Je lance les paries!
+1 au fil des mois j'ai l'impression de revoir les mêmes posts :ddr:Pareil. J'ai arrêté de m"y intéresser du coup...
Mail brings down the wall of silenceSource : The Birmingham Mail
May 2 2008 By Jon Griffin
SAIC/NANJING has promised to break its silence over Longbridge - just seven days after the Birmingham Mail launched a 'No More Chinese Whispers' campaign.
The secretive Chinese car firm has taken a step towards openness by planning a series of one-to-one interviews with various UK journalists next week, it was revealed today.
Briefings will be held with the Birmingham Mail and other selected news organisations next Thursday in London and Birmingham in the first public statements of intent from the Chinese for almost a year.
The news comes after theBirmingham Mail publicly challenged Nanjing last Friday to come clean by answering 10 key questions over the historic car plant's future.
Initially the paper was met with more silence, so we took the questions to the door of Longbridge and then to the Chinese embassy in London to show the car firm that we would not accept broken promises and changing details from secondhand sources.
A direct approach to SAIC/Nanjing's headquarters in China was the next plan if the company had not responded.
Editor Steve Dyson said: "There was some fear that the Birmingham Mail's new 'No More Chinese Whispers' campaign would antagonise the company but this sudden turnaround is proof that SAIC/Nanjing has listened to the free press."
Politicians and unions today also welcomed the long-awaited decision by SAIC/Nanjing to come clean over the car plant. Its future has been at the centre of speculation since the Birmingham Mail revealed body shell assembly by West Midland firm Stadco was being scrapped before a single car had been produced for sale.
Dave Osborne, of Unite, the most senior car industry negotiator in the UK, today praised the Mail's campaign - and welcomed the prospect that SAIC/Nanjing would end the speculation over Longbridge at last.]
"The Birmingham Mail has been saying what people have been thinking and I am very pleased journalists are now going to get the chance to talk to SAIC/Nanjing on a one-to-one basis on the back of its campaign. Let's just hope that there is a new beginning and more openness about the relationship.
"We want to see tangible evidence that the original plans from 2005 - 100,000 cars a year within five years - come to fruition and offer quality employment to former MG Rover workers who have been unable to find the calibre of employment they had at Longbridge."
Mr Osborne has been pressing in vain for a meeting with SAIC/Nanjing bosses since last November - while Edgbaston MP Gisela Stuart revealed she too had been unable to pin down the Chinese for talks despite requests dating back nine months.
She said: "Well done and good luck to the Mail over this.
"I have been trying to meet with them since August. This is just the first step, but it is a welcome first step."
Nanjing's UK Director of Communications Eleanor De La Haye confirmed that one to one interviews would be held with news organisations, including the Mail, next Thursday.
She said a total of 15 newspapers and broadcasting groups were to be offered 35-minute slots in London and Longbridge with senior Nanjing management. "We intend to answer a variety of questions," she said.
New man in the driving seat
May 2 2008
SAIC/NANJING is replacing its top man at Longbridge in a boardroom reshuffle, it was revealed today.
He Xiao Qing will take over as chairman of NAC MG UK later this month in an apparent new change of direction.
The new chairman takes over from Wang Hong Baio, who has been the man in charge since 2006.
It is understood that Mr Baio is to return to China.
Dave Osborne, senior UK car industry negotiator for Unite, said: "Mr Baio has said that for personal reasons he is going back to China." He revealed that the new chairman had agreed to a face-to-face meeting for talks over the plant's future.
"He says he would like to meet and update me on plans for Longbridge," added Mr Osborne.
Unions believe the change at the top at Longbridge signals the shift of control to SAIC.
SAIC President Chen Hong flew to Birmingham for high-level talks with city council leader Coun Mike Whitby last week, and pledged that production lines would be rolling out MGs in the second half of 2008.
LAUNCH DATE ANNOUNCED FOR MG TF LE500
MG has announced that production of the TF LE500 sportscar will commence at their Longbridge plant in Birmingham at the beginning of August, with the first cars delivered to showrooms in September.
Chairman for NAC MG UK Ltd, Mr He, Xiao Qing, said; “I am delighted to be in a position to talk about a launch date for the TF LE500 following a process of planning, re-organisation, active quality improvements and parts optimisation that we recognise resulted in frustration for our stakeholders. We are now fully focussed on bringing our hard work to fruition.”
The new car is expected to appeal to a wide range of car buyers looking for the authentic sportscar driving experience, as well as existing small sportscar owners looking to upgrade, current owners and the large band of MG enthusiasts.
Gary Hagen, Director of Sales & Marketing continued, “The open top sportscar 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.”
With the launch of the new TF LE500, the company knows that it is also re-launching one of the best known and best loved brands in the world. Whilst production efforts at Longbridge are focussed on the LE500, designers at their SMTC facility in Leamington, Warwickshire are already planning exciting newMG models that will capture the essential qualities of the MG brand and extend the range into additional sectors.
The commitment planned by MG and the level of investment underwritten by SAIC will persuade doubters that the MG brand is being re-launched with the support to make it successful again. The fact is that in 2008, desirable and competitive British made sportscars will once again be rolling off a production line in Longbridge. A sight that many thought they might never see again.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
SMTC UK Limited (Shanghai Motor Technical Centre, UK) is based at Leamington Spa in Warwickshire. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of SAIC Motor, whose parent company is Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, China’s largest automotive manufacturing company. SMTC UK currently employees approximately 120 engineers and designers, with a further 150 contractors, and provides engineering and design skills for MG and Roewe.
SOURCE: NAC MG (UK)
"The Chinese owners of the Longbridge car factory have revealed plans to produce up to four new models at the plant over the next five years.
Now Nanjing, which bought the MG Rover assets, said the new models will include a large luxury car and a replacement for the MGTF sports car.
It is not known yet exactly how many jobs will be created with the production of the new cars.
However, it is believed to be at least several hundred new posts."
NEW CHAIRMAN APPOINTED FOR NAC MG UK
Today, 8th May, 2008, NAC MG UK Ltd has announced the appointment of a new chairman Mr He Xiao Qing. Mr He (pronounced (Hurr) takes over as head of the company from Mr Wang Hong Biao, who had led the board of the Longbridge based company since it was set up in 2005.
Mr He said, “I am delighted to have been appointed at such an exciting and busy time in this young company’s history. I thank Wang Hong Biao for his hard work in preparing MG for its re-launch and look forward to building on his hard work.”
At 44 He Xiao Qing already has experience in legal, International trade and management and in international finance with Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation. He has also held directorships and secretariats in a number of other companies.
Gary Hagen, Sales and Marketing Director for NAC MG UK, said; “Although the team at Longbridge are sorry to see Wang Hong Biao return home, we are all delighted with the appointment of He Xiao Qing. He knows the company extremely well, having been part of the original acquisition team and been on the board of NAC MG since it was set up in the UK.”
Among He’s first duties as Chairman will be the announcement of a date for the start of production at Longbridge. The eagerly anticipated MGTF LE500 will be the first car he presides over with full scale production of the MGTF and a family of new cars following on shortly.
By Fang YanSource : REUTERS 17/06/2008
SHANGHAI, June 17 (Reuters) - SAIC Motor Corp Ltd, China's top automaker, plans to resume making MG sports cars in Britain in August, its president said on Tuesday.
SAIC will start selling British-made MG TF sports cars in the United Kingdom, via more than 40 dealers, at the end of August or in early September, Chen Hong said at a shareholders' meeting.
"We will do it step by step," Chen said. "We will start with Britain and will consider selling to other markets eventually."
SAIC, which also runs car ventures with General Motors and Volkswagen AG , is among a growing army of Chinese automakers aiming to make a name globally.
It become the latest owner of MG Rover's 10,000-unit Longbridge plant in Birmingham, central England after a merger with its much smaller peer Nanjing Automobile Group late last year.
The facility, acquired by Nanjing Auto in 2005, will serve as a platform for tapping the European market, company executives have said.
In an effort to revive the failed British car brand, SAIC will roll out more MG variants and new models in the coming years to attract buyers.
"Capacity is not an issue for us at the UK plant. What we need to do is to continue develop new models while keeping the original flavour of the MG brand," he said.
ROEWE
In March 2007, SAIC rolled out its first self-developed car, the Roewe 750, based on acquired technology, with first-year sales coming to roughly 16,000.
Chen said his firm aims to more than triple sales of its own-brand cars to 50,000 this year as it rolls out more new models, including a Roewe 550, catering to various market segments.
The firm has been investing aggressively in its own-brand cars. Company executives said previously that they will add more assembly lines to build 30 new models by 2010.
SAIC Motor Chairman Hu Maoyuan did not rule out exporting Roewe cars to Europe or elsewhere eventually.
"We are currently focused on reviving and improving the image of MG globally. But we will not rule out selling Roewe overseas in the future if there is a demand," Hu told Reuters. (Editing by Quentin Bryar)
Car-making is back at Longbridge, but with only 18 on the production lineSource : The Birmingham Post, 18/08/2008
Aug 18 2008 By Duncan Tift
Longbridge MG TF
In 1905 Herbert Austin founded the Austin Motor Company at Longbridge. Now, 103 years later, car production has once again resumed at the famous factory. Duncan Tift was the first journalist to see the production line moving again at the plant, now owned by China’s Nanjing Automobile.
Herbert Austin would no doubt approve of the fact that motor cars are once again being built at his beloved Longbridge and even though he may find the surroundings different, the vehicle numbers are far more 1908 than 2008.
Walking into Longbridge’s massive assembly plant is an eerie experience. Huge assembly lines that produced hundreds of thousands of cars a year stand silent and still.
The only operation is the production of small numbers of MG TF sports cars – small the operative word.
Despite the surroundings, this is a cottage industry, more akin to Malvern’s iconic Morgan than anything British Leyland conceived.
Trying to convey the scale of the operation when confronted with such a massive backdrop is difficult.
These figures may help put the operation into perspective.
Nanjing Automobile (NAC), which owns the plant and everything in it, is producing 45 cars a week – 180 a month and slightly more than 2,000 a year.
It employs 180 people at the 110-acre site, of which just 55 are employed in the logistics, paintshop and assembly operation.
Touring the facility yesterday there were just 18 people – 17 men – on the assembly line, which to say it moved at snail’s pace would be doing an injustice to gastropods.
However, to revisit all the pessimistic stories about the demise of the British car industry and the emergence of the new economies of India and the Far East serves no purpose.
This is what car production at Longbridge is – and what it will be for the foreseeable future. That final point is important, because for the first since perhaps the demise of MG Rover, the plant does have a future.
Longbridge MG TF
There is a 500 special edition limited run of the MG TF LE500, of which almost 80 per cent is already pre-sold – showing there is still a market for the model despite it being 15 years old.
The cars are expected to be in showrooms from next month after which production will revert to the standard model.
The company is marketing them in the UK and Ireland and plans to expand to the rest of the EU at some point in the future. No word yet however, on when – or if – the car will go on sale in the United States.
Our guide yesterday, NAC spokeswoman Eleanor de la Haye was only too keen to explain about what is happening at the plant now and what the future holds.
“The workers are splitting their time between the assembly and the trim operations – one day they will work on assembly and then revert to trim the following day.
“All the models are hand-built and of the components used, 40 per cent of the parts are sourced from the EU and 60 per cent from China and the rest of the world,” she said.
The production line can take up to 100 cars at a time – approximately a fortnight’s production.
“This will ensure that every dealer can have one at the same time,” said Ms de la Haye.
So far 44 cars have been produced and are ready to transfer on to the MG dealer network, which has about 50 outlets around the country.
“We are looking at producing around 2,500 to 3,000 cars a year depending on demand,” she said.
“At the moment, we are looking at producing around 45 a week, which could rise.”
The cars themselves in their vivid orange create a striking contrast against the rather sombre background. However, the mood of the workers appears in keeping with the colour scheme – sunny.
Guy Hunter was a fitter with 15 years’ experience at Rover.
He is now working on the new assembly line and is delighted to be back doing what he enjoys most, making cars.
“These are hi-spec cars and it’s great to be back here making them again,” he said.
Mr Hunter, of Selly Oak, has worked for NAC for the best part of two years.
So what does he make of them as an employer?
“The company’s good and we’re enjoying ourselves here.
“It’s not too different from Rover,” he added.
Longbridge MG TF
Lisa Ponter, of Bromsgrove, is the sole woman on the line. A Rover veteran with 13 years’ experience in the sewing shop and five years on the production line, she is also delighted to be back making cars.
“It was a bit strange coming back at first but now it’s very enjoyable.
“And I’m working again with a lot of the people who were with me when I was at Rover.”
Indeed, the company has had no difficulty in getting people to come and work for it.
Some have even turned their backs on the likes of Bentley in order to get their hands dirty at Longbridge again.
Something of which Mr Austin would no doubt approve.
Bonne nouvelle, mais après + d'un an de retard, il faudrait que Nac ou Saic détaille son plan pour les prochaines annéesSelon Stephan Cox (MG UK), de nouvelles MG sont en préparation à Longbridge, elles seront produites en 2010 (vraisemblablement en milieu d'année).
Autoexpress, qui est le 1er a essayer l' auto est positif mais attend la suite : http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/226398/mg_tf_le500.html
A quand de nouvelles MG ?
Longbridge factory on a roll with the new MGSource : The Birmingham mail
Aug 19 2008 By Edward Stephens
The new MG Production Line at Longbridge.
TWICE as many MG sports cars could be rolling off the Longbridge production line next year as had originally been planned, it was revealed today.
With the company expecting to ramp up to 43 cars per week within the next seven days, bosses have become even more optimistic about annual sales.
A target of 2,000 MG TF sports cars had been set for 2009 but this has now almost doubled to 3,700.
Advanced orders for 300 of the new cars have already been taken by the 50-strong dealer network.
Just 18 workers are currently employed on the line, 15 of whom had worked for MG Rover building the original MGF and MG TF.
And while the factory, now owned by MG UK part of the Chinese Nanjing Group is a shadow of its former self, employees are glad to be back.
Gary Hunter, from Selly Oak, has been with MG UK for two years but worked for MG Rover for more than 15 years.
“It’s great to be back,” he said.
“We have been waiting a long time to see the MG TF being built again and now it’s really happening, and this car is more high tech than the old one.”
Lisa Ponter, from Bromsgrove, spent 18 years in the sewing room at the old Longbridge factory and five years on the production line. She is the only woman now building the latest generation of MG TF and says she is loving every minute of it.
“It’s a strange feeling to be back here especially as a lot of people I worked with are missing but the ones who are here are a good crowd and we all work well together,” she said.
Eleanor De La Haye, the company’s corporate communications manager, said the MG brand had been well received in China and 2,500 of the MG TF models which had been built there had been sold.
“The Chinese love all things British and really love this car. The Chinese people have taken to the MG brand very well.”
She confirmed that the first British buyers would be getting their new Longbridge-built cars in September, just as the new registration plate comes in.
A second production line is expected to go into operation at Longbridge by 2010 building a Vauxhall Vectra sized saloon based on the Roewe 550, a popular saloon which is on sale in China.
The bodies for this model will be built on site, unlike those of the MG TF which are shipped in from China for assembly at the Birmingham plant.
Longbridge in driving seat with MG
http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/0...-seat-with-mg/
(http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/884/2008819103738rs0.jpg)
It is a sight not seen at Longbridge for more than three years – the rolling production track carrying a line of MG sports cars under construction.
It is a small start for MG’s Chinese owners: a production team of just 55 workers are currently producing 47 cars a week.
Within the cavernous Longbridge factory just two lines are currently operating, but the Chinese companies behind MG – NAC and its bigger parent SAIC – have plans that will see all the production lines in operation by 2010.
At the moment a small 18-strong team is working on the production line, switching from trim to assembly on alternate days, working from 7.30am to 4pm.
They are making the first, bright orange, batch of MG TF LE500 special editions which will relaunch the famous motoring brand in more than 50 dealerships nationwide next month.
After the first 500 cars are made – and more than 400 have already been snapped up in advance by MG enthusiasts before the cars even hit the showrooms – the Longbridge factory will start making a standard MG TF sportster.
MG UK spokeswoman Eleanor de la Haye said the company was hoping to sell between 2,500 and 3,500 of the sports cars next year. “But I think that is conservative given the enthusiastic response we have seen so far,” she continued. We are launching in the UK and Ireland next week, with a left-hand drive variant launching in Europe next year.
“I think sales of 4,000 cars would be a possibility by the end of 2009.”
Nearly all the team now working on the cars are former MG Rover employees who lost their jobs, along with 6,000 colleagues, when the last major British-owned carmaker collapsed in April 2005.
Guy Hunter, from Selly Oak, was a 15-year Rover veteran. He has been back working for MG for the past two years as the new Chinese owners geared up for production. “The new cars have a much higher spec than the old ones,” he said. “It’s great to be back here making them again. We’ve been waiting a long time to get to this point.”
The only woman on the production line, Lisa Ponter from Bromsgrove, is another Rover veteran. She worked 13 years in the sewing room, making the MG’s canvas soft-tops, and then five years on the line.
“It was a bit strange coming back,” she said. “It was a bit empty with so many people missing. But I am working with a lot of the people who were with me when I was at Rover. They are a great bunch to work with – we have a laugh.”
Ms de la Haye said some of the 180 people now working at MG UK had even given up jobs at Rolls Royce and Bentley to come back to Longbridge. “They said there was just something about working here, and they couldn’t wait to get back,” she said.
The new cars come with top-of-the-line specification including leather seats, high quality stereo systems, rear parking sensors and hard tops. The trim line is where much of this equipment is installed. The cars then roll down the line and are automatically raised and transferred across the factory to the assembly line on the other side. When full there are around 100 cars on the two lines at any one time.
Although the initial batch of cars will be orange, the other LE 500s will come in red, white, blue, grey and black. Around 40 per cent of the car is made up of parts from the UK and Europe. Most of the rest comes from China, including the body shell known in the industry as “body-in-white”.
This is produced at NAC’s Pukou factory in Nanjing, but the company is currently looking for a partner business to run a body-in-white manufacturing unit on the 110 acre MG operation at Longbridge. The engines too are made at Pukou but, although modernised for new EU emissions regulations.
But much will depend on the success of the new MG TF. Roger Parker, from the MG Owner’s Club, has had a chance to drive one.
Mr Parker, a former motorway policeman from Tamworth, said: “In terms of the quality it is way ahead of the old car. I’ve had a chance to drive three of the cars as the new one has been developed and each one has got better and better.”
ça, c'est de la bonne nouvelle, mais au fait les TF seront toutes oranges?Seules les premières MG TF seront oranges, après pour les couleurs disponibles il faut se reporter à la brochure ici (pp.14-15):http://www.mg-rover.com/mmlib/tf_brochure.pdf (http://www.mg-rover.com/mmlib/tf_brochure.pdf)
j'ai le sentiment qu'enfin nous ne sommes plus sur du bluff!C'est certains mais je doute quant à la commercialisation en France :(
We’re planning a four-car range of MGs – first to arrive will be a mid-sized saloon sharing its platform with the Roewe 550. The planned introduction for this car is llate 2010"Nous avons planifié une gamme de 4 modèles MG, le premier modèle à arriver sera une voiture type "saloon" de taille moyenne partageant sa plateforme avec la Roewe 550, sa production sera pour fin 2010." G. Hagan
Brilliant interview, with some concrete info at last!
* TF will be refreshed next year with new front and rear, suspension mods, and a completely new interior that will sort out the driving position once and for all
* Next MG saloon will be based on Roewe 550 and comes in 2010. Aimed at the Mazda 6 apparently
* New small car to replace the ZR, and it won't be based around the Streetwise
Go read the article at www.aronline.co.uk - it's in the news section. Keith Adams does it again!
Et sinon ont-ils enfin modifié le refroidissement moteur afin d'éviter les surchauffes à répétition :?: (ça m'étonnerait mais bon ...).je ne sais pas trop ce qui a été fait à ce niveau là et c'est vrai que la MG TF du passé est connue pour ce défaut, mais en parcourant le forum anglais (mg rover.org) j'ai vu le résultat d'un sondage parmi les propriétaires de MG TF : plus de 80 % de ceux qui ont le nouveau joint de culasse (provenant de Land Rover) n'ont eu à ce jour aucun problème. Après les problèmes de surchauffe ont évidemment plusieurs origines (mauvais entretien du liquide de refroidissement, air dans le système, défaillance du thermostat, pompe à eau défaillante etc...). La MG TF actuellement produite est censée être une version améliorée par rapport aux versions précédentes et pas uniquement au niveau de la pollution (euro IV), quant au résultat on le saura plus tard...il y a eu toute une période de tests dans des conditions extrêmes. En tous cas certains connaisseurs anglais ont déjà réservé leur voiture, 80 % des MG TF LE 500 sont déjà vendues. :)
Longbridge announces new range of cars to be built in BirminghamSource : The Birmingham Post
Aug 27 2008 By Duncan Tift, Business Staff
MG, fresh from the successful relaunch of its TF roadster, has revealed details of a whole series of new models to be produced at Longbridge.
Safe in the knowledge of secure investment from its Chinese parent, Shanghai Automotive (SAIC), the company is planning a new large-size family car, a mid-range/small family car, a supermini and a replacement for the TF. There is even speculation that it could produce an MG-badged SUV, which would be a first in the company’s long history.
The first of the new models will be a variant of the Roewe 550, the large car which is was launched to acclaim at the Beijing Motor Show earlier this year.
The 550 already has a strong British pedigree having been designed and engineered at the Shanghai Mechanical Technical Centre in Leamington Spa.
It is likely to go on sale in 2010 and will be pitched against rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and the Vauxhall Vectra replacement, the Insignia.
The car will look different to its Chinese counterpart but will share the same platform. This will mean it can be quickly introduced to the production line at Longbridge.
The company will also have a more established dealer network by the time the car goes on sale and there are high hopes it will be able to compete with its more established rivals.
The lessons learned from the sale of the TF roadster are likely to be invaluable as it looks to secure a foothold in what are very different markets to those sought by the sports car.
The next model is said to be a Ford Focus size vehicle, which will pitch the company into the most competitive section of the car market.
However, it is relishing the challenge.
Spokeswoman Eleanor de la Haye said: “MG’s future is secure and there is a commitment to expanding the automotive business both in China and in Europe.
“We have been on site here for three years and have been through some difficult times but that is behind us and we are looking forward to the future.”
“Although the TF is a relaunch, all the other vehicles will be brand new,” she added.
In addition to the enhanced dealer network – which is likely to comprise around 55 outlets in the UK, the company has improved its production model, set up a new logistics chain, an after-sales service and has the UK-based design centre.
The TF will initially be launched in the UK and Ireland but by next spring this will have been expanded to include Italy, Spain, France and Germany and beyond that to other English speaking markets such as South Africa.
There is no word yet on whether the sports car will be sold in the United States but it is not ruling this out.
It believes there is vast potential for the sports car and it will act as a flagship for the MG brand throughout the world, while there are hopes that the new models could also find a market outside the UK.
The 550 is already proving popular in China, where more than 8,000 have already been sold, despite it only being on sale since April.
The TF is also proving a hit with the Chinese, with more than 2,500 models already sold.
In the UK, advance orders for the special edition LE500 have been strong, with 80 per cent of the 500 limited run already being snapped up despite the car not going into showrooms until next month.
However, British buyers will not have long to get acquainted with the roadster as a replacement is already being planned and the model could be available in around three years time.
MGs leave Longbridge for dealersSource : BBC.co.uk 11/09/2008
New MG
SAIC said 700 MGTFs would be produced by the end of the year
MGs have left the Longbridge plant in Birmingham for dealers across the UK for the first time since 2005.
The MGTF LE500 cars are due to go on sale to the public at dealer open days from 20 September.
Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) has said it hopes to produce 700 MGTFs by the end of the year. The model is expected to retail at about £16,500.
MG Rover collapsed in 2005. It was bought for £53m by Nanjing Automobile Corporation and then SAIC took over.
The LE500 designation will only be given to the first 500 individually-numbered cars to leave the Longbridge production line.
Phoenix consortium
Longbridge was opened in 1905 by motoring legend Herbert Austin.
As well as producing cars, it was used as a munitions factory during both world wars and began production of the iconic Mini in 1959.
It also produced the popular Metro and Rover 200 models before the Rover company was bought by BMW in 1994.
BMW subsequently sold the firm to the Phoenix Consortium, under whom it went into administration in 2005.
The collapse in 2005 led to the loss of about 6,000 jobs.
Il va falloir suivre les chiffres de vente de cette "nouvelle" TFSur le site de MG Uk ils affirmaient que plus de 400 MG TF LE 500 étaient déjà vendues le 16 septembre. Les volumes de production annoncés seront très limités l'année prochaine : entre 3500 et 5000 MG TF, sachant que ces MG TF doivent être distribuées dans la plupart des grands pays européens, ils devraient arriver à les écouler, surtout s'il y a un restylage du modèle comme ils l'ont annoncés.
La France en fait partie ? :DOui, selon la porte parole de MG UK (Eleanor de La Haye) : il faut attendre à partir du printemps 2009 :flasingsmile:
LONGBRIDGE is back up and running with a vengeance with plans to more than double the MG UK workforce at the car factory within 12 months.Source : The Birmingham mail
The Chinese owners of the famous Birmingham car plant aim to beat the financial downturn with proposals to hire more production, paintshop, sales and marketing staff and others during 2009.
And discussions are under way over the transfer of around 250 designers and engineers currently based at the Shanghai Motor Technical Centre in Leamington – a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAIC/Nanjing – to Longbridge.
The recruitment plans would more than double the current workforce of around 200 based at Longbridge, at a time when motor industry jobs are under severe threat from the worst UK sales slump for over 40 years.
Meanwhile, the standard version of the two-seater MGTF will be on the road by the end of the year following a sell-out of the limited edition version, the TF LE500.
NAC MG UK corporate communications manager Eleanor de le Haye said the car firm was set to recruit across all areas.
“At the time of the launch, it was 180 to 190 people but the workforce is creeping up all the time,” she said.
“There are 27 people being recruited over the course of 2009 for sales and marketing, for example. There are plans to recruit more business staff, paintshop staff, production staff.
“The TF LE500 has been a huge success and we do not think that it would be any different for the standard car.
“We have a standard specification model, MGTF, and there will be standard cars on the road by the end of the year.”
Ms De La Haye confirmed that plans to transfer the SMTC UK Ltd operation – which provides engineering and design skills for MG and the Shanghai-built Roewe model – were under consideration.
The new Chinese-built MG is being sold through a network of 50-plus UK dealerships nationwide from £16,399 on the road and SAIC/Nanjing aim for an output of around 3,700 vehicles next year.
Aux abords de l'usine, ils ont enlevé les drapeaux et les inscriptions de Nanjing Automobile. S'apprêtent-ils à mettre SAIC à la place ou bien souhaitent-ils dissocier la marque MG du groupe chinois ? :ddr:Ca serait bien... Ca fait plus authentique sans les drapeaux et les inscriptions de Nanjing :D
Thirty Longbridge workers laid off as MG car firm sheds Chinese title
Jan 20 2009 by Jon Griffin, Birmingham Mail
ABOUT 30 workers have been laid off at Longbridge – as the firm sheds its Chinese banner to become MG Motor UK Ltd.
The Chinese-owned company has laid off up to 30 temporary contract workers. They are among staff who transferred from the Shanghai Motor Technical Centre in Leamington – a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAIC/Nanjing – to Longbridge.
A worker, who asked not to be named, said: “Engineering staff are being laid off only days after the Shanghai Motor Technical Centre moved to Longbridge. While it’s not out of the blue, it makes you wonder if the jinx of Longbridge continues.”
The car firm confirmed it had dropped NAC – Nanjing Automobile Corporation – from its company title to become MG Motor UK Ltd.
Corporate communications manager Eleanor de la Haye confirmed that contract worker jobs had been shed, but said the car firm remained on target with its plans for Longbridge.
“We are one of the few automotive manufacturers planning to release new models.”
Longbridge now has about 380 workers, of whom 250 transferred from Leamington.
SMTC UK provides engineering and design skills for MG and the Shanghai-built Roewe model.
Doubt over jobs at MG car planthttp://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...ds/7981535.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...ds/7981535.stm)
Around a fifth of the workforce at the MG plant in Birmingham could lose their jobs, the car manufacturer has said.
MG Motor UK Ltd said 30 employees were at risk of redundancy following a review and restructure of business operations at the Longbridge site.
The company, previously Nanjing, said it could not make assurances of long-term employment stability for staff due to the current economic climate.
Production of the MGTF sports car restarted at the factory last year.
Early action
A statement from MG Motor UK said: "The unique trading conditions we are currently operating in make any assurances of long-term employment stability difficult to predict.
"Following a review and restructure of its business operations the company has abided by the statutory consultation process and placed a number of employees 'at risk' of redundancy.
"MG UK has always maintained that its workforce would be preserved in line with the ongoing needs of the business and sustainability has and will continue to be a priority as the economy experiences unique trading conditions."
The company added that by taking early action it hoped further redundancies could be avoided.
Nanjing bought MG Rover's assets following the collapse of the company nearly four years ago.
The Chinese firm recently re-branded itself as MG Motor UK Ltd.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...ds/7981535.stm
Published: 2009/04/03 12:58:09 GMT
© BBC MMIX
What Car - New MG models for Longbridge factory
MG is preparing to restart production of saloons at the former Austin factory in Longbridge, Birmingham.
The MG6 – a model that's slightly bigger than a Skoda Octavia – will start rolling off the production lines in four- and five-door form in October.
Initially, it will be available with only petrol engines, but diesels will follow 12 months later when the factory – now rechristened MG Motor Birmingham – will begin exporting cars to mainland Europe.
MG is now owned by the China's Shanghai Automotive (SAIC), the successor to the company which bought the Longbridge assembly lines and tooling when Rover went bust.
'Affordability and sportiness'
The MG6 is an Anglicised version of Shanghai Automotive's Roewe 550, which is based on a modified version of the old Rover 75 platform. MG is promising 'affordability and sportiness' as the cornerstones of its strategy in Europe.
More new models on the way
The MG6 will be the first of three models expected to be made at the Longbridge site: a VW Golf-sized car based on the Roewe 350, and a new model to be revealed at the Beijing motor show in April will be the other two.
There will also be a smaller model that's expected to be about the same size as most European superminis. A concept study of how that car might look is expected to be displayed at the Beijing motor show.
Source: http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/new-mg-models-for-longbridge-factory/247423 (http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/new-mg-models-for-longbridge-factory/247423)
Longbridge to be renamed after over 100 years
LONGBRIDGE is being consigned to history after more than 100 years – with a multi-million pound Chinese makeover to turn the site into the nerve centre of MG design worldwide.
The former home of Lord Austin, British Leyland, Red Robbo, Sir Michael Edwardes, BMW and John Towers is to be renamed MG Birmingham, with an MG Worldwide Design Studio at the heart of the new operation.
The launch of the MG6 model later this year will pave the way for production running into thousands of vehicles, transforming the car firm from a tiny niche operator making just 400 cars a year into a volume manufacturer with major export ambitions.
The plans mark the biggest overhaul at the UK’s most famous factory site since Chinese firm Nanjing bought the former assets of MG Rover for £53 million after the car firm went bust amid debts of £1.3 billion nearly five years ago.
The Chinese plans for Longbridge have remained largely under wraps since China’s biggest car firm Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation took over Nanjing Automobile – but the site is now gearing up for millions of pounds of investment.
Guy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director of MG Motor UK, said: “I do not think that people realise how big MG could be globally.
“They could have just shipped everything in from China, but this could be the gateway to Europe for MG.
“This is a multi-million pound investment. We want to make Birmingham the home for the MG brand globally – Longbridge is going to be revitalized. We want the site to be referred to in common language as MG Birmingham. The company will be MG Motor UK.
“We are in the second largest city in the UK but, to global and international people, Longbridge is meaningless.
“This is more of a subtle change; the postal address remains the same.
“We want to give it its own identity separate from MG Rover, to give it international recognition.
“Instead of saying ‘here is a plan of Longbridge, we will say here is a plan of MG Birmingham.’
Mr Jones said the launch of the MG6 later this year would be the catalyst for transforming the Chinese car firm into a volume manufacturer. So far the factory has only sold a few hundred limited edition cars and MG TF135 models.
“We are going from small volumes to large volumes, from hundreds of cars to thousands. This is a very exciting time for a new company.
“This is the complete opposite of the rest of the market, where global players are looking to reduce and fight their corners.
“We are still going to be a very lean, very efficient company, but we have got the biggest player in the biggest car market in the world as the parent company.” The revamp of Longbridge will also see an on-site MG dealership set up in the old visitor centre while the conference centre will be refurbished with a view to attracting other users.
“We do not have a significant presence in the centre of Birmingham and we are sure people would like to have their cars serviced at a factory dealership,” Mr Jones added.
Source: http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2010/03/04/longbridge-to-be-renamed-after-over-100-years-97319-25960866/
le diesel est a chaine ? et en 16s ? :roll:Bien vu matt1511, je corrige...c'est le petit moteur essence 1.5 VVT sur la première photo (ci-dessus). Quant au diesel de 1.9L dérivé en différentes versions, il n'est pas encore officiellement dévoilé :wink:
Moi je pense qu'il ne faut pas non plus fantasmer sur le "grand retour" de MG.
La stratégie chinoise n'est pas difficile à comprendre, ils ne s'implanteront superficiellement en europe que pour l'apparence (c'est pas nouveau, stratégie identique aux japonais dans les années 80-90 consistant à implanter quelques usines de montage dans un pays pour importer un max), mais ne croyez pas qu'ils vont créer des dizaines de milliers d'emplois eu europe... Le but c'est de rapporter le max de fric en Chine et de développer des usines, si ça marche pas, exit MG...
Ils utiliseront des ingénieurs anglais, français et autres que le temps de former les leurs, et je dirais même qu'ils utilisent le sigle MG en pensant que ça peut faire vendre davantage mais je ne crois pas qu'il y ait le moindre attachement à la marque. Si le sigle rover n'a été réutilisé par personne c'est uniquement parceque l'image de marque n'est pas super intéressante en termes de marketing.
Je ne pense pas qu'il y ait une réelle volonté de coller à l'âme de la marque MG, à son passé, etc... C'est juste du marketing tout ça ! Des hommes d'affaires chinois ont racheté une marque européenne car le hasard a fait que c'était le premier grand groupe à se casser la gueule, ça aurait tout aussi bien pu être fiat ou renault.
Et pour finir, à part le fait que ça s'appelle MG, je vois pas le rapport avec l'ancienne marque MG... C'est un peu comme si on buvait du lait dans une boîte de coca cola, ça a le nom mais ça n'a rien à voir avec le coca !
Donc je vois pas trop l'intérêt de ces bagnoles, qui sont pas plus british qu'un pack de bières heineken et qui ont autant de rapport avec "l'esprit MG" qu'une renault 20 de 1978 !
Autant coller un ecusson MG sur une DACIA, c'est pas plus débile si on veut s'imaginer rouler en MG...
Tout ça pour dire que les déceptions autour de l'évolution de MG...
Y'a des gens qui pensent encore que les hommes d'affaires chinois (les autres aussi d'ailleurs) sont altruistes et sont attachés aux valeurs ou aux symboles ???
Penses tu que on retrouvera des zt en Europe? Cette idée me rendrait heureux car on trouverai des pièces et des option plus faciliment! Et puis les quelques version chinoises des 750 et ztt on une super gueule!
Comme tu dis, affaire a suivre...
Juste comme ça, t'es l'espion en charge de l'enquête "renouveau a longbridge" ou tu habite en engleterre? LOL!
On dirais que tu bosses chez MG!
Suffit de consulter le forum Anglais :lol:Sans compter les sites chinois... :D
j'espère ne pas faire d'houblon (:ddr:)
je ne savais ou poster car ça l'a déjà peut être été, mais ça ne me dis rien :roll:Elle a fait l'objet d'un long débat photo réelle / photo truquée :mrgreen:
je cherchais sur google pour le sujet des chiffres en images et je tombe la dessus 8O
http://www.speedlux.com/rover-55-sedan-proposal-british-flavored-chrysler-300-never/
ça fait un bail que je n'ai plus l'occas' de voir tous les sujets, mais la je reste étonné :roll:
j'espère ne pas faire d'houblon (:ddr:)
MGs HAVE gone on sale in Birmingham for the first time.
The iconic British sportscar is now being sold at a new sales centre on the Longbridge site where the cars are built.
The new on-site dealership opened yesterday and was packed with enthusiastic potential buyers.
Doug Wallace, the company’s press and events manager, said: “Customers who come here will be able to buy their cars in a showroom which looks out on to the design centre and the engineering centre which has helped produce their cars.”
The company currently has 40 dealerships across the country and is hoping to increase that number to between 55 to 65 by the end of the year.
The Longbridge dealership is a case of history repeating itself as there was a showroom there for a time when the site was occupied by MG Rover.
One visitor to the new dealership was Longbridge Labour councillor Andy Cartwright, a former Rover worker who was back on site for the first time since losing his job.
“I’m proud of what MG is trying to achieve here. They have put car making back into Birmingham and now it needs the people of this city to get behind them and buy the cars. I have had a test drive in one of the new cars and it’s superb.
“This is a business which is trying hard. The technology is first class and as Birmingham people we should be proud.”
The opening of the showroom was marked with a Macmillan Coffee Morning and to coincide with the final stages of ‘The Great British Charity Test Drive’.
The test drive saw fleets of the latest MG cars touring the country to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support and Help for Heroes.
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