A new 拢5 million design studio has been officially opened at Longbridge as MG Motors plans to produce its MG6 five-seat fastback at the historic car plant by the end of the year.
Dr Richard Hutchins, deputy chief executive of Advantage West Midlands (AWM), officially opened the new SAIC design studio yesterday.
China鈥檚 biggest automotive business, SAIC, owner of MG Motor 海角视频, now plans to kick on from the development by making more cars at the plant, where the MG TF sports car is currently produced.
AWM has offered nearly 拢2 million financial support as well as strategic business advice to encourage SAIC鈥檚 continued presence at the historic Longbridge site.
Dave Lindley, general manager of SAIC Motor 海角视频 Technical Centre, said: 鈥淭his is an important landmark not only for the West Midlands, but the worldwide automotive industry.
鈥淭his 拢5 million investment by SAIC is a clear commitment to retaining and developing our 海角视频 workforce. Not only have we created some 300 hi-tech, high-value jobs, but invested 拢20 million in R&D companies throughout the supply chain in the 海角视频 and Europe.鈥
Dr Richard Hutchins said: 鈥淚t is great to be at the historic Longbridge car manufacturing site on such a positive occasion. Everyone is eager to see the first MG6s rolling off the production line here at the end of the year. And who knows what other design and technical wizardry will be revealed in subsequent models, thanks to the cutting edge work that will be going on here?
鈥淚t may surprise some to learn that a third of the 海角视频鈥檚 automotives are produced in the Midlands. Also, two thirds of the spend on automotive research and development in this country is invested in Midlands-based companies. AWM is proud of the part it has played in stimulating and revitalising the region鈥檚 manufacturing base in this way.鈥
