Cars roll at Longbridge

Three new pre-production MG TF Roadsters were driven from a re-commissioned MG production line in an opening ceremony attended by the world's media, MG employees, executives from the company's Chinese owners, Nanjing Automo- bile Corporation – and MG enthusiasts from around the country.

Today's ceremony marked the next stage of the rebirth of what was once Britain's biggest car plant.

NAC bought the company for £53 million then transferred much of the production equipment to China, in 400 containers, to equip a brand new factory in Nanjing, which started producing MG cars and engines for the Chinese market earlier this year.

In Longbridge the firm now occupies a small part of the original site, employing around 130 people who will make MGs for the British and European market.

The aim is that the new NAC MG business will go into full production in the next few months.

Earlier today, before the ceremony, Solicitor General Mike O'Brien visited Longbridge to present the letter of support to NAC MG from Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, on behalf of the Government.

As well as meeting with senior officals from the Chinese company Mr O'Brien also met Liang Buo Hua – governor of the Jiangsu providence in China where Nanjing Auto is based – who was the guest of honour along with Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council.

Yu Juan Wei, NAC chief executive, said: "We realised from the outset that retaining a manufacturing link with the UK is of fundamental importance. Longbridge will play a leading role in our European operation."

Also at today's ceremony, Mike Steventon, head of KPMG's Automotive Practice said the new company was basing itself in the UK's successful niche car making sector. But the Wolverhampton expert said the crucial factor for the reborn MG would be its ability to sell cars.