Nanjing Automotive has today confirmed that it is to reopen the former MG Rover car plant in Longbridge.
The Chinese car company will initially employ 250 workers, a fraction of the 6,000 people who worked on the site when MG Rover went out of business to build MG Sports cars.
Nanjing took a 33-year lease from St Modwen on 105 acres of the 470 acre site in February. Today’s announcement comes ahead of the lease’s six month break clause which expires next month.
Commenting on the news, Birmingham council leader Mike Whitby said: “We’re delighted by Nanjing’s renewed commitment to the former MG Rover site in Birmingham.
“Through tireless work, Birmingham city council has been able to put the essential structures in place for Nanjing, which in turn have allowed the council to meet its economic duty to the people of the city to secure their heritage, the world-renowned MG brand and the future of manufacturing at Longbridge.”
Chairman of Nanjing Automotive, Wang Haoliang, added: “We appreciate very much the continuous support, positive attitude and the enthusiastic work ethic of Cllr Whitby and his officers, which is a major contributing factor to the success of Nanjing MG business re-establishment at Longbridge.
“I sincerely wish and believe that we will continue to work together as strategic partners.”
References: EGi News 17/07/06
