Cars rolling again at Longbridge plant

It was once the largest manufacturing plant in the world - and now Longbridge is again back in the business of producing new cars in the West Midlands.

Six years after the painful collapse of MG Rover with the loss of 6,000 jobs, the production line is up and running, with staff assembling the first all-new MG for 16 years.

The MG6 family hatchback is being launched to the motoring press this week and the first deliveries to customers are expected during the middle of next month.

The historic marque is now owned by Chinese car giants Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and has been renamed MG Motor.

It began its operations at Longbridge with a limited run of TF open top roadsters, but the MG6 is the first of a new generation of cars for MG.

The vehicle was designed and engineered by staff at SAIC's technical centre in the West Midlands and is the first in a series of new models due to be sold in both Eastern and Western markets.

Although SAIC has invested heavily in the 69-acre site at Longbridge it is unlikely that staffing levels will return to their former levels — though the potential is there to create hundreds of new jobs if the cars prove popular.

MG6 models are partly built and fully painted in China before being shipped to the UK in containers and delivered to Longbridge. Only around 40 operatives at the plant are currently needed to attach the engines, transmissions and suspension systems.

Another 360 staff are employed at the Lowhill Lane plant in the design studio, technical centre, and sales department.

Sales and marketing manager Guy Jones said the long-awaited arrival of the MG6 was "a milestone day for the MG brand."

"This is the first tangible sign that MG is back with a force behind it."

He added that hatchback would be followed by a saloon in the summer and the smaller MG3 towards the end of the year.

MG is initially hoping to sell up to 2,500 MG6 models a year. Prices range from £15,495 to £18,995 on the road.

The range will receive a boost next year when a newly-developed diesel engine arrives.