[KevG]

Originally Posted by papa_lazaroo

Word on the grapevine (at Nissan design centre I am still intouch with a lot of the Longbridge lads who now work in Warwich for our little yellow skined friends) and they may look similar, but the build quality is so poor, that if you slam the boot, the rear doors fall open, and it crash tests badly.

Apparently the metal used to make the body shells in China/UK are of thinner gauge, so the crash testing will be interesting.

Even though Stadco who make the bodyshells now have the presses in Longbridge, they are not using Corus Steel, but Steel from China, do they can make both the Chinese and UK cars the same.

Originally Posted by The UNOFFICIAL Austin-Rover Web Resource

THE return of car production to Longbridge will accelerate today when a key supplier signs a £3 million deal to restart body shell production at the former MG Rover site. Stadco, which used to supply the parts for the MG TF sports car, is one of 150 suppliers who have agreed to provide components for Nanjing Automobile's (NAC) relaunch of the car next year.

Following a joint investment of more than £3 million, it has begun begin shifting part of its production from Coventry to Birmingham in a move which will generate up to 50 new jobs at Longbridge. The move, which is due to take place next month, could be followed by other manufacturers who have been approached to move to the factory.

The body shell facility had been mothballed at Stadco's factory in Holbrook Lane when MG Rover collapsed into administration in April 2005. But following the signing of the deal - which could ultimately be worth up to £2 million per year to Stadco - the new facility will be set up early in the new year.

The new unit, based in the CAB B building, will resume production by April and start full production in time for the relaunch of the new TF sports car in July. Early volumes of the car are expected to be around 4000 vehicles per year, although this could rise to meet demand. Stadco, which took over the panel making business from Mayflower which collapsed in 2004, will lose no jobs in Coventry. Stadco is also involved in the modifications to the TF design, including remodelling of its interior trim, bumpers, lamps, as well as a possible hard top coupe version which could be introduced in 2008. As part of the deal, a team from Stadco will also travel to China to help establish a body shell production facility for NAC's new factory in Nanjing.

James Lin, operations director of NAC at Longbridge, said he welcomed the move, which could be followed by other suppliers. He said: "Stadco used to be an original supplier to Rover, so we know by working with them we can maintain the quality on important product. Stadco has also provided technical for our factory in China. This kind of project is the first stage in our global startegy. Stadco are good are engineering design and product development and have a very good understanding of the US market."

As well as manufacturers, NAC has signed agreements with engineering service providers like MIRA and Prodrive. Seating manufacturers and wheel companies have also voiced an interest in moving to Longbridge, said Mr Lin.

Wagn Hong Biao, chairman of Nanjing Automotive UK, said: "We are pleased to secure Stadco as a supplier because they bring a wealth of experience with them." Mr Lin, said: "There was rumours about us moving our operations to Coventry. That was wrong. What we are doing is moving Coventry operations to Longbridge."