.

MG cars of the future will be designed in the world’s newest automotive design centre in Birmingham.

The new MG Global Design Centre, which opened yesterday (June 15) is part of a multi-million investment in new technology at the 62-acre MG Birmingham site, which also houses the huge SAIC UK technical centre where nearly 300 leading engineers work.

These two centres of excellence are already designing and engineering a range of new MG models which will start to be launched in the UK from later this year.

Total investment of this phase of development at MG Birmingham, including new engine test bed facilities now being planned, amounts to almost £5-million.

MG Motor UK is owned by SAIC, the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, one of the largest automotive companies in the world.

The new Design Centre will provide a purpose-built studio for 20 designers and sits next to the SAIC Motors European Technical Centre (SMTC) at the heart of the MG Birmingham site. 

Inside the Global Design Centre are advanced workstations with the most sophisticated computer-aided design (CAD) software. Designers have the ability to create designs – both interiors and exteriors – from the initial concept stage to ‘virtual cars’ through to full-size 3D images and clay models.

British MG Design Director, Tony Williams-Kenny, said: “This is a huge step forward for us. The advanced technology and dedicated team make us one of the most professional design studios in the world – we may not be the biggest, but we aim to be the best.

“We will be finalising all details of the new MG6 from this studio and it gives us superb tools and facilities to go further forward on projects such as the MG Zero concept and beyond.”

The Birmingham MG plant currently builds the iconic mid-engined TF sports car and is now gearing up for production of the sleek MG6 five-door sports fastback which will be launched at the end of this year.

MG Motor Sales and Marketing Director, Guy Jones, said: “The Global Design Studio and the SAIC UK Technical Centre are huge investments and show just how committed we are to the future of the historic MG brand.

“This is bringing manufacturing and highly-skilled engineering design back to the heartland of the Midlands. It’s a fantastic day for British industry, Birmingham and the proud name of MG.”

..

The MG ZERO concept car has been unveiled to the world’s media today as one of the stars of the Beijing Automotive Show, now one of the world’s most important automotive events.  

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 focused 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 focused on the LE500, designers at their SMTC facility in Leamington, Warwickshire are already planning exciting new MG models that will capture the essential qualities of the MG brand and extend the range into additional sectors.

 On 1 August 2007, Gull New Zealand launched the first bio fuel in New Zealand, Force 10 (an E10 blend of 10% ethanol and 98 octane petrol)

The bioethanol is supplied by leading dairy producer Fonterra and sourced from whey, which is a natural by-product of the New Zealand dairy industry. The goal of any bio fuel is to use regeneratively produced fuels instead of fossil energy resources. This will help to actively protect our environment and make economical use of our limited resources.

While the move is applauded, owners must be aware of the capability of the individual vehicle to accommodate the new fuel.

As the MG Rover Group has never tested their product for the use of a 10% ethanol blend of fuel, it is therefore not recommended for use in any of their product lineup.

 Warning 
Any use of the E10 blend is entirely at the owners’ risk. Any use of E10 petrol in vehicles still within the manufactures warranty contractual period means that the warranty would be void for any issues relating to: poor performance, rough running etc, engine and component damage, which is caused by the E10 fuel

In a historic ceremony, the media and VIP contingents from both the and witnessed the return of MG production to the Longbridge factory, the long-time home of this historic marque. The guest of honour was be Mr Liang Buo Hua, Governor of the Jiangsu Province in where NAC MG Ltd is based and Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council.

Solicitor General Mike O’Brien, MP also visited Longbridge, and personally handed over a letter of support from Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, on behalf of the British Government. Mr O’Brien met senior officials from NAC in the and , as well as Mr Liang Buo Hua.

Since acquiring the assets of MGR Group in 2005, NAC has been devoted to developing the MG brand and MG products, initially in and .

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

In the , NAC has been hard at work at the Longbridge plant; the production lines have been modified to allow the recommencement of manufacturing; a highly experienced management, engineering and production team is now in place, ready to re-launch MG into the marketplace later this year, initially with the famous TF sports car.

Longbridge is an essential part of the MG project. NAC fully understands that they need to keep the originality and Britishness of the brand and the is the only place where NAC can absorb the essence of British culture and transfer it into MG products.

• The role of Longbridge will be as follows:
• R&D centre for MG
• Engineering & testing of MG models
• HR recruiting for and Longbridge
• A purchasing and logistics centre for and Longbridge
• Manufacturing base for the and European markets
• Sales & marketing base for the and Europe

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

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

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

In a historic ceremony today, the media and VIP contingents from both the UK and China will witness the return of MG production to the Longbridge factory, the long-time home of this historic margue. Guest of honour will be Mr Liang Buo Hua, Governor of the Jiangsu Province in China where NAC MG is based and Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council.

Earlier today, Solicitor General Mike O'Brien, MP visited Longbridge, and personally handed over a letter of support from Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, on behalf of the British Government. Mr O'Brien met senior officials from NAC in the UK and China, as well as Mr Liang Buo Hua.

Since acquiring the assets of MGR Group in 2005, NAC has been devoted to developing the MG brand and MG products, initially in China and Britain.