The history of the MG ZS as we know it

Originally Posted by arwilson80

So even the new manafacturer can't get parts...

Its a bit poor that they couldn't have made some spats - even made of wood with a skim of filler, I suppose they didn't have the craftsmen there to manage it ileofpoo:

[Maxxed_Ross]

the dash in the ZR looks to be different, they've made a funky new heater control system

[Southern Storm]

Hmmm see where you are coming from and yes i suppose they are Longbridge cars, but they have chinese writing on and they were bolted together as their 'home' was being torn apart. It isn't an MG in my eyes.
I know I am being incredibly stupid and at least the motor and the badge still exists but when they market it as 'Modern Gentleman' it hurts to have them picking over the remains of a name and badge I love. Gonna stop now cause I look more stupid by the minute.

[Mat C]

Originally Posted by Southern Storm

Hmmm see where you are coming from and yes i suppose they are Longbridge cars, but they have chinese writing on and they were bolted together as their 'home' was being torn apart. It isn't an MG in my eyes.
I know I am being incredibly stupid and at least the motor and the badge still exists but when they market it as 'Modern Gentleman' it hurts to have them picking over the remains of a name and badge I love. Gonna stop now cause I look more stupid by the minute.

Exactly my thoughts too, they are only MG's in name and not in spirit or heritage. It is a complete basterdisation of the badge and an insult to our intelligence that they think they can flog a dead horse back to a country they practicaly pillaged and raped of it's remaining car industry assets - the basterds.

[D3monstrate]

"Despite being arguably less pretty than the MG ZR and MG ZT in terms of external appearance"

I always thought the ZS was the better looking of the lot...

[shroonie29]

It's in the eye of the beholder though innit

shroon

[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.

[Southern Storm]

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.

Not sure if that makes me smug or sad. Smug that the forefathers were doing the right thing in the first place. We knew how it should be built. Sad that the MG badge sinks further into the quagmire. Maybe it would have been better to finally let it die.

[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."

[stamford]

Interesting note about the quality of steel there, I may go dig a bit deeper and see what I can find on this. Corus are now part of TATA Steel and both are clients of ours, however the Chinese ones are somewhat different.

A list of the client base is here