MG have now stopped all UK production at Longbridge

Published Date: 26th Sep 2016

MG Production was restarted in 2011 when the new Chinese owners SAIC bought the company and started over again with the MG6 hatchback that has now been axed from the range. Later on, the MG3 supermini was also assembled over here with most of the work done in China.

The facilities for assembling the cars over here will no longer be required with the cars being shipped fully built and ready for the road from China. The site at Longbridge also houses The SAIC Motor Technical Centre with the UK base of sales, marketing and after-sales that will remain unaffected by the change.

According to reports it’s estimated that around 25 jobs will go as a result of the changes but SAIC plans to engineer and design MG cars at Longbridge. Just recently in August, further investment into the centre was confirmed with a brand new £1.2 million engine test facility capable of re creating real world emissions testing alongside other improvements at the SAIC Motor Technical Centre.

James Scott, Powertrain Test Senior Manager, said: “The money that’s been invested into this new testing facility shows a real commitment to the future of MG. This additional test cell and enhanced rolling road allows us to continue to get the very best performance and economy for MG products”

“This facility increases the global test and development capability which allows even more collaborative powertrain testing and development with our colleagues in China.”

The New MG GS SUV

On a positive note for MG UK, sales have risen by 130% when compared to the same time last year according to the SMMT figures released earlier in the year. This is mainly down to the success of the newly released SUV the MG GS.