Car production has resumed at the MG plant at Longbridge with the first examples of the new generation TF leaving the production line.

Production stopped at Longbridge when MG Rover collapsed in April 2005. The new operations are taking place on a small percentage of the former site, under the control of the new owners of the MG brand, NAC MG UK.

According to NAC, the company already has orders for two thirds of the 500 MG TF LE500s that will be... // Autocar

Jalopnik (Enlarge photo)

The historic Longbridge production facility in Birmingham, England is rolling again. First opened in 1905 by Austin, it was once the largest factory in the world. Since that time it's manufactured cars, airplanes and armaments for both world wars, and its name became synonymous with strikes, poor quality and mismanagement during the 1970s. Now, Nanjing Automotive has begun assembling its version of the MG TF there, despite using mostly Chinese-built components.

The TF, whose name is short for "Just buy a Lotus Elise" began production in 1995 (then known simply as the F) and went through two facelifts before parent company Rover went out of... // Jalopnik

Production of the MGTF LE500 has started at Longbridge, bringing volume production back to the car plant for the first time in three years.

Corporate communications manager for MG UK Ltd, Eleanor De La Haye, said: We have all worked extremely hard to meet our commitment to commence production of the MG TF LE500 in August.  We are delighted to have reached this important point and are looking forward to seeing the cars in showrooms shortly.

"Its a major milestone on the road to mass production at the plant and a huge achievement for MGs new team in... // Birmingham Post