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NEWS > Automotive design studio opens in Longbridge
Published: Wednesday, 16 Jun, 2010

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On 15 June 2010 Dr Richard Hutchins, deputy chief executive of Advantage West Midlands, AWM, officially opened the new SAIC design studio at Longbridge, near Birmingham, the home of MG car manufacture. Already the largest motor manufacturer in China, SAIC, owns MG Motor UK which currently produces the MG TF sports car and aims to produce the MG6 five seat fastback at Longbridge by the end of the year. SAIC invited Dr Hutchins to open the studio in recognition of 'the excellent support provided by AWM to the development of our business'.

AWM has offered nearly GBP2 million of financial support as well as strategic business advice to encourage SAIC's continued presence at the historic Longbridge site.

Dave Lindley, President of SMTC UK (Shanghai Motors Technical Centre), explained that this GBP5 million investment by SAIC is a clear commitment to retaining and developing its UK workforce. Not only have some 300 hi tech, high value jobs been created, but the firm has also invested GBP20 million in R&D companies throughout the supply chain in the UK and Europe.

A third of the UK’s automotives are produced in the Midlands. Also, two thirds of the spend on automotive research and development in the country is invested in Midlands based companies. Longbridge now has one of the UK’s leading research and development centres and its launch moves the company into the fast lane of high tech car development."
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