Résumé en anglais de la conférence de presse du 29 mai 2007 qu s'est tenue à Longbridge :
"May 29th Press Conference Summary
This is a simplified recording of the press conference. Names and organisations of the reporters were omitted. Repeated questions are rounded up together.
Regarding Longbridge and British production
- the production figure at Longbridge:
Response: NAC is not pursuing a particular production figure. There isn't a fixed timetable to build 15,000 cars a year, only once the cars are launched, the public reaction can be gauged and production can follow demand. The production capacity of 15,000 cars p.a. does not restrict to MG TF only, but also ZT and ZTT models too. (Note: interestingly, ZT and ZTT were said instead of MG7 and MG7T, and this is the first time they mentioned building any tourer/estate version of the MG7/MG ZT.)
- the employment at Longbridge:
Response: At the time of the last press conference in London, NAC had already employed 50 people in the UK, and right now 130 are working at Longbridge, in which 90% are local staff. That includes people in design, on the work floor and in management. This figure should rise towards 250 at the end of the year. NAC's thinking is that they will make sure the cars are as well made as possible so more people will buy the cars, and the more cars are sold the more staff will needed to be employed at Longbridge.
- the exact date for volume production:
Response: Perhaps the concept of volume production in China and in the UK. There isn't a set standard on the concept of mass production, or volume production. Bear in mind that the mass production is linked in China and in the UK, it is an interactive process between the two places. Volume production in China and in the UK needed to be matched and coordinated.
Today should be considered as the start of mass production in Longbridge. In the short term, to make sure MG cars and brand will be launched later this year, it is something decided by the market. In this year, you can purchase MG TF produced here and if the production doesn't start now, NAC could not meet the demand. Here at Longbridge has a capacity of 15,000 TF per year.
- the Research and Development at Longbridge
Response: Having an R&D centre at Longbridge is a big part of the plan. NAC-MG recognises the importance of having a British root and that is the thinking behind the setting up of the R&D centre at Longbridge and combining the advantages from both China and the UK. The role of Longbridge is to act as an R&D centre for MG, a place for engineering and testing of the MG models. Longbridge will become not only a manufacturing and sales & marketing base for the UK and European market but also a logistic centre for China and Longbridge.
Regarding the MG TF and other cars
- the prices of the TF:
Response: It is a practice to release price closer to the date of the release to the market, but NAC will ensure the cars will be value for money.
- the changes on the TF, Chinese content percentage:
Response: There have been some minor changes on the MG TF, but the priority is to restart production at Longbridge first. If there would be big changes, the restart of production would be pushed further back and this is something NAC doesn't want.
It is difficult to say how much of the TF is sourced in China component-wise, let alone an exact figure. Take the engine for example, the engine production line is in China but a lot of the engines parts come from the UK and Europe, likewise for the brake system. The pressed parts are made in both UK and in China too. However, all the painting, welding and assembly are done in Longbridge. If NAC were to give a figure of the percentage, it would be around 50% to 60% mark.
- the mechanical changes to the engine and the chassis on the TF, and status of the hardtop coupe
Response: Presently, the chassis and the engine did not change much. The hardtop TF is still being designed, but there isn't much detail that can be revealed about it.
- the plans for diesel-engined cars in the European market
Response: NAC did an analysis of diesel powered MG cars in the European market, and NAC does appreciate the share of diesel cars, however the current diesel engine only has an Euro-III approval and further development needs to be done if a diesel engine MG is fitted for European specifications and legistration. Such development requires approval from the NAC board to be given the go-ahead.
Others
- the UK dealership network
Response: NAC has started to enlist dealers in the UK, and there are new dealers and ex-MG Rover dealers. The first sets of applicants are coming in, in which about a hundred application were sent out. The dealership network in Europe will be different to the system in the UK where there the cars will be sold through importers.
- the development on MG's venture in America
Response: The collaboration between the 3-sides is still expanding. However, according to the agreement, NAC-MG could not disclose any detail regarding the venture with the Americans. NAC promises to inform the press and the public when there is a substantial development on the American front."
Source : forum anglais mg rover.org
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