Rise of the fallen MG Rover went into administration in 2005, with the loss of 6,000 jobs as well as the loss of a historic British car manufacturer. Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) purchased most of the company's intellectual property and Chinese rival Nanjing Automobile group acquired what was left of the MG Rover group, the two companies merged in 2007.
The good news for the British Automotive industry is that SAIC has recently opened a 5m design and technical centre for MG models at the former Longbridge site in Birmingham. MG Motor UK, a subsidiary of SAIC said at the unveiling that the new complex will become the company's Global design headquarters and employ 300 designers and engineers.
The opening of this new design and technical centre coincides with the transfer of the company's production of its MG6 Fastback, which is due to move to Longbridge later in 2010. The new MGTF 2 seater roadster is already built there.
There is even more good news in the shape of the MG Zero, a concept car debuted at the Beijing Motor Show and due to be unveiled in Europe at the MPH show later this year. Speaking to an MG dealer in London, I was told that all MG dealers are very exciting about the recent revelations and are very much looking forward to selling new MG models once again.
For Birmingham and its surrounding areas there is something to be excited about - five years after the collapse of MG Rover, finally there is a major commitment to the Longbridge site. And, with the current economy the way it is all new job prospects are very welcome.