"BACK MG" CALL AS LONGBRIDGE TRACK ROLLS AGAIN

24-05-2007

The woman behind the campaign to support Rover workers when the Longbridge factory closed in 2005 has called on British car buyers to back the new Anglo-Chinese MG when production resumes next week.

Gemma Cartwright who founded the Rover Community Action Trust said she was delighted that Nanjing Automobile will finally deliver on their promises to get the track rolling again on Tuesday.

“I’m just grateful that it’s in Longbridge, and after 100 years of car making, I just hope it stays there for the next 100 years.

“I’m totally behind them and I want to see British people getting behind them - especially the media. Programme like ‘Top Gear’ were always running them down, and you live on your reputation. But the MG is a brilliant brand with brains behind it”.

When Longbridge shut down 6,000 workers were employed there compared to the creation of an estimated 300 new jobs in the new set-up.

That’s still 300 jobs more than were anticipated on the fateful day when the factory hooter sounded for the last time.

Birmingham Council leader Mike Whitby voiced a popular view when he said that this was a day “that many people thought would never happen.

”Over the last two years we have worked tirelessly behind the scenes with NAC to build relationships and make this outcome a reality.

”NAC have made their commitment to Birmingham, and I believe it is a commitment that will last. They have already made us their European headquarters, and a centre for research and development.

”In all my dealings with NAC, I have been impressed with their commitment to the plant and am confident that Longbridge will once again become renowned as a by-word for excellence, a real centre of high-class manufacturing.”

The first car off the line will be a new MGTF, but the company will also unveil other models for the European market next week.