HOME
NEWS
ROAD TESTS

 

 

ABOUT
SUBSCRIBE
TOP DRIVE










ROAD RAMBLINGS 
CLICK FOR DETAILS
HEAR CHRIS GOODSELL
TALK MOTORING ON
RADIO & INTERNET
..... more

ROAD TEST
www.nextcar.com.au (copyright image)
2008 Elvis Festival

New Launch Date Announced For MG TF LE500, Following False Starts

 

8th May, 2008

www.nextcar.com.au (copyright image)

Following a false start, the new Chinese-owned MG has announced that production of their TF LE500 sports car will commence at their Longbridge plant in Birmingham (England) at the beginning of August, with the first cars delivered to UK 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 sports car driving experience, as well as existing small sports car owners looking to upgrade, current owners and the large band of MG enthusiasts.

Gary Hagen, Director of Sales & Marketing continued, “The open top sports car 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 new MG 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 the new and re-structured SAIC is meant to 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 sports cars will once again be rolling off a production line in Longbridge. A sight that many thought they might never see again.


NOTE:

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 (the new brand name for the Chinese remake of the Rover 75).



Other MG content: here.

Next Car Pty Ltd
ABN 47106248033

Next Car Pty Ltd

Copyright © 2008.
All rights reserved.