Nanjing MG seems to have big plans for its newly acquired brand, plans that might have Roewe a little worried. Nanjing MG seems to be slowly, but patiently setting up factories around the world. First, there was Longbridge, UK, then Pukou, China, throw Olklahoma, USA in on the act as well, and yesterday we learned of MG’s plans to have an MG plant in Russia!
Later this month, MG will officially reopen the Longbridge UK plant, probably with just as much pomp and ceremony as the first time they announced their new slogan ‘let your heart beat faster‘ in January this year.
NAC MG has high expectations for its Longbridge, UK plant - they hope to produce 15,000 cars per year at the plant, and then go on for British sales of 50,000 cars within the first two years of operation. Longbridge will be primarily producing the MGTF’s before shifting into production of MG7 and the MG3 range of cars - no word on the MG5 yet though. According to the stats we found, Nanjing MG UK has 140 workers on staff, of which 115 are engineers and line workers, MG are also looking for a further 250 workers for the time being. Will former MG-Rover staff be sending in their resumes? Once production of the MG7 and MG3 begins, Nanjing MG expects it will need to hire a further 800 workers to cope with demand.
Furthermore, by 2009 according to the sources we have to hand, Nanjing will have created a new sports car by 2009, some news sites are saying it will be a new two seater sports coupe i.e. a new MGTF, others are just saying a new sports car, what ever it will be China Car Times is sure that fresh designs will be welcomed by the MG + Rover communities.
We’ve also heard on the grapevine that MGTF’s will be made in China for the domestic market, and will come with an option of either manual, or automatic shifting. Good news, for hairdressers all over the world 
Please, keep the britischness alive with MG, otherwise the business will go wrong!
UP THE SAIC!
Hi i own a 2005 MG ZS 180 V6, Which is a great car. And before that i had two MG ZR. If the repacement for the ZS the MG 5 was made at longbridge i would buy one. The is a lot of us Brits who only drive MG cars. Pete London
The only way MG will get ony credibility in europe would be to some how sale at least 50% back to the british , it’s a british icon not chinese one!
You are spot on the Cars have to be made or a large part of them built in the UK. Or MG will not buy.