News




MG Men Behind the Scenes 4

06.02.09




I have been in the motor industry for the past thirty years and over half
of that time has been spent working at Longbridge. I used to work on
the production line and was part of the team that looked at methods of
building the Mini Cooper and Rover 75, which I helped train people to
build. I carried on working at MG Rover until the sad day it closed and
thought I would never return. So when I received a phone call
from HR asking me to come back and work for MG in 2005, I was
absolutely delighted and could not turn down such a wonderful
opportunity. I have now been back at MG for three years and have really
enjoyed seeing the return of the MG TF in the UK. I am back as
an Assembly Technician and have also been responsible for the
preparation and maintenance of press vehicles so that they are in
perfect condition for media test drives. The media interest in the MGTF
LE500, across the UK, has been excellent and I am very busy making sure
that these cars are delivered on time and to a high standard. I was one
of the people responsible for building the first of the new MG TFs. A
highlight of my time being back at MG was in 2006 when I was asked to
go over to China and help with vehicle build and processes. I really
enjoyed using my knowledge and experience to help in such a huge
project. Another highlight, which was quite emotional, was the
day the first transporter, in over three years, left Longbridge with
the new MGTF LE500s on board travelling to dealerships across the UK.
This was an historic moment and one that I will always remember. Many
people thought that MG would never make a come back and this showed
that MG was officially back. All of the production staff came outside
to watch the cars leave through Q Gate. Local and National media were
also there capturing the moment. I am looking forward to the
prospect of working on new, future models and being part of this. It
will be great to see the brand move forward.

News




Get your ‘09 Plate MGTF LE500 from March 1st 2009

13.02.09




From 1st March 2009 MG dealers across the UK will be selling the new ’09 plate MGTF LE500s. The
LE500 comes in a range of six new colours with a body colour matched
hard top as standard. The hard top benefits from a glass rear window
which means winter motoring is much more comfortable, whilst
maintaining the flexibility of enjoying the soft top in summer. The
interior in luxurious piano black trim, leather upholstery and chrome
detail give the cabin a sporty and contemporary feel. MG has worked
hard to maintain levels of comfort and finish that will make the new MG
appeal to the widest spectrum of drivers. Between the seats is
the unique 500 LE badging, a detail that completes a highly specified,
exclusive but most of all fundamentally MG interior. The only
mid-engined, rear wheel drive sports car in its class, the LE 500 is
engineered to deliver a thoroughbred British sports car driving
experience and comes equipped with the coverted N series engine. This
EU4 compliant 1.8 litre 135 bhp power pack will push the LE500 from
0-60 in 8.3 seconds and give it a top speed of 127mph//205km/h. Stephen
Cox, Sales and Franchising Manager for MG Motor UK Ltd says “we have
already seen the improvement in showroom traffic and the number of
demonstrations made, as potential customers start thinking about the
warmer weather, excitement of roof down motoring and investment in
something tangible, rather than to stare at ever-diminishing returns
from their savings." To find your nearest dealer please click here.

Windy wrote:Indeed, I've added it to our gallery.

If you read it as two columns then it starts with the name of this website

According to a 17th February 2009 news item
on the Nanjing Automobile Corporation China web site, the name MG Motor
UK Ltd is shortened to “MG UK” for translation to Chinese, a fact
reflected on the totem pole outside the Longbridge factory when read in
the traditional Chinese way of top to bottom first followed by right to
left:

News




Victor Wood MG Grand Opening of Refurbished Showroom

20.02.09





Victor
Wood, Lincolnshire’s MG dealer sees the grand opening of its newly
refurbished, state-of-the-art showroom on 21st February 2009 with a
celebratory launch party. Over £150,000 was invested into this
impressive make-over. Work on the 22-year old showroom started on 17th
January and was completed by 10th February. The ground floor offices
have now moved to a mezzanine level creating more space in the
showroom, which is much improved and has a completely new and fresh
interior. Gary Hagen, MG Sales and Marketing Director said
"Victor Wood has invested a lot of time, money and effort into
revamping their dealership. Customers can now enjoy the spacious and
modern showroom, whilst viewing the MG TF LE500"Pat Oldham,
Dealer Principal, Victor Wood, said: “We’ve always had a strong
commitment to Customer Service here at Victor Wood MG, and are very
pleased our showroom strengthens our offering. The new MG TF LE500 has
been attracting a lot of interest, and we anticipate even more interest
after this weekend as buyers look to order their new MG for the ’09
number plate in March. The new-look dealership is really impressive and
we are sure our existing customers, and potential new customers, will
love it.” Victor Wood MGTelephone:01476 566 110Address: Victor Wood Group Spittlegate Level GranthamLincsNG31 7UH Click here for Victor Wood MG's Dealear Microsite

Perkins wrote:

Victor Wood MGTelephone:01476 566 110Address: Victor Wood Group Spittlegate Level GranthamLincsNG31 7UH Click here for Victor Wood MG's Dealear Microsite

Source : MG Motors UK Ltd

DougN wrote:

Perkins wrote:

Victor Wood MGTelephone:01476 566 110Address: Victor Wood Group Spittlegate Level GranthamLincsNG31 7UH Click here for Victor Wood MG's Dealear Microsite

Source : MG Motors UK Ltd

That was a Honda dealership, we bought an HR-V there back in 2003.
Have they changed to an MG dealership?

Victor Wood of Grantham is a family-owned dealership which has served the motorists of the Grantham area since 1986.
The
business was set up in 1949 and since then has operated motor
dealerships in Oakham, Rutland and Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire in
addition to the Grantham site.
The company acquired the Kia
franchise for its Oakham premises in 1995, transferring it to the
Grantham location in 2004, where it now complements the newly-acquired
MG franchise.
As well as offering the exciting new MG TF
LE500 sports car and the comprehensive range of cars, people carriers
and 4x4s from Kia, we provide a full range of dealership facilities,
including all-makes used cars, servicing and repairs, MOTs, parts and
accessories, and valeting. We are also Motability specialists.

News




MG Men Behind the Scenes 5

25.02.09

• 
  

Emma Freeman Vehicle Order Control and Outbound Logistics Co-ordinator

It’s been a busy and exciting period at MG with the re-launch of the new MG
TF LE500 Sports Car. It was an amazing sight last September to witness
the first vehicle transporters to leave Longbridge in over 3 years.
Knowing that I was the one responsible for arranging the transport was
even more of a joy. So what is my job at MG Motor? Well, my
full job title is Vehicle Order Control and Outbound Logistics
Co-ordinator. Basically I oversee the initial vehicle order process
through our dealer network and manage the vehicle despatch operation.
Ultimately my main objective is ensuring that the right vehicles get to
the right dealers in time for customer hand over. I am also heavily
involved in updating various sales orders and despatch reports as well
as managing the sales stock of vehicles prior to despatch. I
have been employed at MG Motor since March 2007. I work within the
Sales and Marketing Department but spend most my time these days out
and about onsite with transporters. It’s been an exciting journey so
far and it has been amazing to see the company grow over the last 2
years to what it is today; it’s a pleasure to be part of it. So
what is scheduled for the rest of the day? Well, every morning I have a
dozen emails to answer and of course I need to update the despatch and
vehicle order reports. Secondly, I plan on contacting our dealers to
obtain their vehicle delivery requirements for the rest of the month.
Once I have the sales requirement Ill go ahead and create a despatch
plan which I will forward to our logistic provider. I then plan to
prepare the vehicles prior to despatch… On that note, I’ll get back to it…..

It was an amazing sight last September to witness the first vehicle transporters to leave Longbridge in over 3 years.

News




£2.7M MOVE BY SMTC STRENGTHENS MG’S LONGBRIDGE BASE

03.03.09

• 
  

MG
Motor UK Limited and the SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre (SMTC UK) are
now sharing the Longbridge site as the engineering and R&D company
has completed a move from its Leamington offices into new premises, on
the site of the MG factory on Lowhill Lane. The move was an
obvious, sensible and inevitable rationalisation of SAIC group
companies within the UK, according to SMTC UK’s Director of Business
Development, Ian Horton, who said, “We are delighted to have moved to
Longbridge to be closer to the product and to the HQ functions of MG
UK. We were already working closely with MG and the new geographical
proximity of the companies can only be of benefit to the group and the
MG brand. We now have a Technical Centre platform from which to grow
the future of the Group’s engineering in the UK.” SMTC UK works
on a wide range of engineering and research and development projects
for the SAIC Motor group, including new models destined for the
Longbridge line. Much of the work is commercially confidential but one
of SMTC UK’s first projects for MG is likely to be a remodelling of the
existing TF, following the successful launch of the MGTF LE500 earlier
in 2008, into a limited edition derivative to mark MG’s 85th
anniversary in 2009.Over 250 people have made the 25 mile move
from Leamington to Longbridge following planning that had been progress
since last year. The move has benefited both MG UK and SMTC UK, with
over £1m spent on an IT upgrade for the whole Longbridge site and
larger technical centre offices and workshops for SMTC UK engineers. Leader
of Birmingham City Council, Mike Whitby, said: “Today’s announcement is
encouraging news for the city, particularly in the current economic
climate, and I am delighted to see jobs being brought into Longbridge. “Over
the last three and half years Birmingham City Council and MG have
worked together diligently to build relationships and secure the
positive outcomes. We will continue to give our support to make
Longbridge once again become renowned as a by-word for excellence, and
a real centre of high-class manufacturing.”

Windy wrote:Thanks Perkins, and welcome to DillTheDog
Hopefully the "remodelling of the existing TF" is already well underway!

ZTsteve wrote:

Windy wrote:Thanks Perkins, and welcome to DillTheDog
Hopefully the "remodelling of the existing TF" is already well underway!

Hopefully. Perhaps they have decided not to build any more of the existing TF (they seem to have plenty in stock still )

Maybe the next roadster to emerge from Longbridge will be heavily revised...

News




MG SPONSORS THE ROYAL WINDSOR HERITAGE FESTIVAL

10.03.09






On
Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April MG Motor UK Ltd are the primary
sponsors of The Royal Windsor MG Heritage Festival event. The MG
Owner’s Club will be spearheading the event in conjunction with the
Rotary Club of Windsor and Eton, the MG Car Club, the MG Octagon Car
Club, the Early MG Society and the Crown Estates. MGs new and
old, including rare vintage and pre – war MGs will be appearing in
Royal Windsor for the MG Heritage Festival. This prestigious and unique
event takes place in MGs 85th Anniversary year and will see the latest
MG TF model, which is built at Longbridge, included in the cavalcade
and will be on display afterwards. The weekend includes a Royal
Review of MG on Saturday 25th April, which involves a convoy of MGs
driving through the Quadrangle of the Castle into the Frogmore Parade
Ground of Windsor Great Park, where the cars assemble for a rally.
There will be multi-start scenic road runs to enable other MG owners to
be involved in this fantastic event. The organised runs take the
drivers on a scenic route through the private grounds of Windsor Great
Park. Other activities will be organised to take place
throughout the weekend in order to raise money for the Prince Philip
Trust Fund, which helps the welfare of under privileged people and
assists in training young people and encourages them to undertake
voluntary work. Mr He Xiaoqing, MG Motor UK Ltd President said
"To be major sponsors of the Royal Windsor MG Heritage Festival, such a
prestigious event, in MGs 85th year is extremely exciting and is a very
proud moment for us. It is an honour to be involved in such a wonderful
event as only the third marque to receive this accolade, which will
raise money for The Prince Philip Trust Fund. It will also be the
perfect celebration of MG enthusiasts’ commitment and ongoing
enthusiasm for the brand’’

MG Dealer displays MGTF LE500 in Birmingham City Centre
20.03.09
Summit Garage, MG dealer, in Dudley is displaying a vibrant orange MGTF LE500 adjacent to the bronze bull in the heart of Birmingham City Centre from Friday 20th March – Tuesday 24th March.

John Newey, Dealer Principal at Summit Garage will be at the display across the five days to answer any questions and to give information about the car.

John Newey said ‘The vibrant orange TF LE500 is displayed in an exceptionally busy area. The weather is improving and we hope that people will get into the spirit of spring and summer and take a seat in this fun and exciting soft top sports car.’

So if you are visiting the Bullring Shopping Centre in Birmingham this weekend, why not come and see the TF LE500 at the junction of New Street and High Street.

If you are interested in a test drive of the MGTF LE500 then please find your nearest MG dealer, using our MG dealer locator.

skyblueads wrote:I met John doing an article for MG Enthusiast. Really nice chap.

Lowest bid wins an MG TF LE500 on Auctionair
24.03.09

MG Motor UK Ltd and Auctionair have teamed up to offer you the chance to win Limited Edition number 123 of the 500 Limited Edition MGTF LE500s made at Longbridge, on the Auctionair online auction site. All you need to do is choose the lowest price that you think no one else will choose and enter it as your bid, the lowest unique bid wins.

With the arrival of spring and the sunshine making an appearance, it is the ideal time to make a bid and see if you can win this highly specified, mid engined, rear wheel drive, soft top sports car, which has a suggested OTR retail price of £16,055.

The LE 500 comes as standard with rear parking sensors, high end stereo with mp3 compatibility, 16” 11 spoke alloy wheels in black or shadow chrome finish, piano black interior with leather seats, air conditioning, LE500 badging on front fenders and door inserts, windstop and a colour matched hard top that also comes as standard.

Each of the limited edition 500 TF’s has a unique number, which enhances the individuality and desirability of each limited edition car, and is in the form of a badge located in the rear console in between the driver and passenger seats.

Every single TF LE500 owner receives a certificate of authenticity from MG Motor UK Ltd, which certifies that they have bought one of the special, limited edition MG’s. The certificate includes the chassis number and the unique number of the car and is signed by a Director of MG Motor UK Limited.

If you would like to make a bid for the MGTF LE500 on Auctionair, or if you would like to find out more information about how to make a bid, please visit www.auctionair.co.uk. If you would like more information regarding the MG TFLE500 please click here.