MG TF “still on track”

Plans to produce the MG TF and other new models in the UK are still on track, according to the Chinese car maker Nanjing.The company’s UK arm, NAC MG, has responded to our report on the collapse of a deal with supplier Stadco to build MG TF bodies by denying that the project to return car production to Longbridge is at an end.NAC MG’s claim comes despite widespread scepticism in the West Midlands car industry and significant delays in reviving MG production.“Initial volume production for the TF is insufficient for Stadco to make a profit, making the venture uneconomical for them”, NAC MG admitted.“NAC remains commuted to the re-launch of the MGTF and Longbridge. To date it has invested £38.4 million including research and development in the project and is working to ensure that its products are of the very highest quality. It is not thought that this current situation will affect the TF launch.”The company claims that a brand new ‘body in white’ production line has already been built in China and says that shells will be imported into the UK when production of the TF starts.However, NAC insists that body production will still take place in the UK once production volumes are reached, even though it states that the Chinese body production is “consistently producing bodies of a greater quality standard”.Work on the revamped TF is still ongoing, according to the company. “Our vehicle and engine test programmes are delivering very positive results,” NAC MG said in a statement.For all the official optimism, NAC MG has been unable to meet any of its stated targets for restarting production at Longbridge, or recommencing sales of the TF.