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MG plant in UK to start operation

By Shangguan Zhoudong (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-05-12 17:17

SAIC Motor Corp will begin production of the MG TF LE500 roadster at MG Rover's old Longbridge plant in the UK in the beginning of August, the China Business News reported today.

The MG TF LE500 roadster will be first sold in UK, according to the report.

MG will focus on product research and development and production after planning, integration, quality improvement and auto parts optimization, said He Xiaoqing, general manager of the UK firm.

Current plans indicate that the Longbridge plant will produce four models, including the MG TF sporty car, a large-size sedan and other two models that share a platform with the Roewe 550.

The four models will be produced locally at the Longbridge plant, not assembled simply by importing spare parts from China.

Currently, MG brand vehicles that have entered or will go on sale in the market include the MG TF, MG3, MG7 1.8T. SAIC Motor will also start selling the Roewe 550.

In 2009, SAIC Motor will launch its self-developed mid-sized sedans under the name MG6 to complete the MG portfolio.

Currently, SAIC Motor has three independent auto brands: Roewe, MG and SsangYong. The automaker has plans to launche small-displacement Roewe and MG vehicles, according to Huang Keji, general manager of Nanjing MG Automotive Co Ltd.

In the future, all of SAIC Motor's engines below 1.8 liters will be produced by MG PowerTrain, Huang said.