The Chinese owners of MG have faith in the Longbridge plant with the addition of a new £1.2 Million Engine Test Facility.

New state-of-the-art test facilities have been installed at MG Motor UK’s Longbridge site demonstrating commitment to the future and the quality of its products.

£1.2 million has been invested to install a fifth engine test facility and to further enhance the vehicle rolling road on-site at MG HQ in Longbridge. The state-of-the-art engine test facility has significant improvements on the existing test resource and brings with it a major step change for MG Motor’s test and development capability.

Typically, vehicle emission testing on a rolling road has been out-sourced, but now engineers can carry out the required tests in the correct temperature controlled environment with full emission measurement capability. They also benefit from having the technical centre on-site for continuous product development.

Being able to carry out vehicle emissions and engine development on-site allows engineers to ensure the engines going into MG products are at their optimum for emissions, performance and fuel economy. The engineers can run test engines through a complete transient drive cycle with the ability to control temperature and humidity of the intake air and also the temperature of the coolant, oil and fuel.

James Scott, Powertrain Test Senior Manager, said: “The money that’s been invested into this new testing facility shows a real commitment to the future of MG. This additional test cell and enhanced rolling road allows us to continue to get the very best performance and economy for MG products”

“This facility increases the global test and development capability which allows even more collaborative powertrain testing and development with our colleagues in China.”

The new engine test facilities are just one of many new developments for the UK-based design and engineering centre. MG also recently announced an expansion to the design team at Longbridge, following the successful UK launch of the MG GS in June.

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Sales and Marketing, added: “It’s great to see the company taking even more strides forward – both in sales and engineering developments for the future.

“In July, we again saw our sales figures increase way above the industry average and with these new facilities, it’s clear for everyone to see that MG is continuing to move in the right direction.”

The two biggest UK magazines both highlight the current MG range as some of the best bang for your buck around.

MG cars have won further positive accolades from two of Britain’s leading car magazines.

Both Autocar and Auto Express have showered praise on the value-for-money of MG cars, with the MG3 being singled out as a “24-carat bargain” across the entire new car market.

In an Autocar special investigation to find the best value cars in Britain, the highly-respected motoring guru Andrew Frankel, wrote: “Just one of our selected candidates charges less than £100 for a single horsepower, that car being the astonishingly cheap MG3, the best bang-for-buck value car not just in this class, but also across them all."

Frankel says any car that can deliver this sort of value-for money is a “24-carat bargain.”

Auto Express has carried out a huge survey to find the best 50 top deals on cars ahead of the September plate change. Again the MG3 is highlighted among the front runners.

Their special consumer report says: “With its attractive styling, roomy cabin and fun to drive, the MG3 ticks the important boxes for many people.

“MG3 3Form trim brings air-conditioning and a DAB radio. Deals are keen, thanks to MG’s £900 deposit contribution. Putting down £2,948 cuts monthly payments to £159.  All this and insurance is free for the first year.”

Auto Express’s Consumer Editor, Joe Finnerty, said the magazine trawled through manufacturers’ brochures and websites in the search for the best offers in the market. Just 50 made the grade.

Meanwhile Autocar highlighted the newly-launched MG GS in its assessment of SUVs and crossovers on the British market. The MG came under the heading of “SUVs sold for their honest, no-nonsense, rugged appeal” and was shown to have a cost per horsepower ration of £92/bhp the second lowest in the report.

Matthew Cheyne, MG’s Head of Sales and Marketing, said: “For two of the top motoring magazines in the country to write in such glowing terms about the value that MG offers is terrific news.

“Giving the customer exceptional value for money is a key part of what we are all about and it’s gratifying to know that some of the most respected motoring journalists in Britain have recognised this.

“MG, of course, gives you so much more than just great value-for-money. Our cars are great fun to drive, the design is fantastic, comfort levels and equipment levels are class-leading so MGs give an all-round brilliant package. 

MG’s sales are climbing with 2016 set to be the best year ever since MG Motor UK was formed. While the UK car industry is currently increasing by an average of 2.8 per cent, MG growth is more than five times that level with official figures showing the brand is up more than 15 per cent so far this year.

MG dealers among the best in Britain

MG dealers are celebrating after an outstanding result in one of the toughest consumer reports in Britain.

The brand has rocketed up the dealer charts in the highly-prestigious Auto Express Driver Power awards for 2016. With a jump of eight places, MG now sits 12^th in the league with an overall score of 90.54%.

MG is continuing to grow its network of dealers and new dealerships have opened recently in Swansea, Bradford, Ayr, Warrington, Epsom, Wolverhampton and Brandon in Suffolk. More new dealers will be announced in the near future.

Matthew Cheyne said: “With increasing sales and a stronger dealer network offering such great after-sales service, the MG brand is getting stronger all the time.

“We are still building and maturing, but you can now feel a real tangible, growing public confidence in us and our products. It’s been hard work but now we are getting real results and are on course for a record year in 2016.”

MG Customers go on holiday to Devon and instead of bring home sweets or postcards, they bring home new cars.

Most people just bring a stick of rock back from their holidays. But tourists visiting Devon are taking larger souvenirs home – MG cars!

Blights MG in Bideford, north Devon, is developing a thriving business in selling the latest MG cars to visitors to the holiday resort who to find the dealership by chance. 

General Manager, Dave Chumbley, said: “It’s amazing really, we’ve had three sales in the past week alone and all of the customers live miles away from us.”

The latest holidaying customer was Coral Taylor from Thatcham – 170 miles away from Bideford. She bought one of MG’s top-selling MG3 superminis. Coral said: “I was in Bideford for a long weekend and fancied a test drive, which Dave kindly arranged for me on the Saturday afternoon.

“I loved it and spotted a bright yellow used one when we got back to the showroom and that was it – I just fell in love with it and signed up there and then.”

The Hello Yellow MG3 had in fact only just been part-exchanged by a couple who had ordered one of MG’s latest models, the MG GS sports utility vehicle, and that customer was another summer holiday buyer!

Dave Chumbley explained: “While we were servicing their MG3, they took our new MG GS demonstrator for a spin, they loved it so much they ordered one on the spot.

“Last week we took the MG GS to the North Devon Show which was packed with holiday makers and blow me, we took another order from a chap who was on his summer break down here.

“There were other cars on show, but the MG GS was certainly the biggest attraction and it wouldn’t surprise me if we get more orders from tourists. It’s a trend that’s now building our sales very nicely!”  

Meanwhile, MG’s summertime sales boom continues to accelerate with dealers up and down the country reporting record requests for MG3 and GS test drives.

The UK marque is one of the fastest growing brands in Britain and is on target to set a new sales record in 2016, backed by an ever increasing dealer network. While the UK car industry is currently increasing by an average of 2.8 per cent, MG growth is more than five times that level with official figures showing the brand is up more than 15 per cent so far this year.

MG Names their two drivers for the 2016 BTCC season, Josh Cook and Ashley Sutton, who ? read on...

The cars are on the grid and engines are revving in anticipation for the moment the lights change. When the green light appears, the adrenaline-rush ramps up to the next level as the drivers in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship speed off to battle it out for that race win.

Next week, the BTCC season gets underway at the annual series media day. With new drivers in the MG Triple Eight team, MG decided to have a chat to them both about their hunger to win, pre-race rituals and what is already a budding ‘bromance’.

BTCC newcomer and Clio Cup Champion, Ashley Sutton, has a real go-getting attitude. Everything he puts his mind to is done with 110% and a goal is always in place. “I aim high, sometimes higher than I think is possible, so that I push myself and know that I’m doing the best I can do.

“When I started racing in the Clio Cup it was my main aim to win the graduate programme. Once I’d done this, my next goal was to push for the whole championship. It was incredible to have achieved all of that in one year and I’m hoping to do the same in the BTCC. Josh Cook, my new team mate, won the Jack Sears Trophy and I’m aiming to win that in my first season too. It only seems right for it be passed onto a team mate! I’m also hoping to push myself up the overall championship, score some good points and get a podium spot too.”

Last season’s rookie winner, Josh Cook, is raring to go and get stuck into racing after what he describes as a long winter. “I can’t wait to build on what I started last year and work with my new team to see what we can achieve this time around. 

I felt like I learnt a lot in my first season, and securing a podium place was great. I’m definitely hoping for more of those. It’s all about hard work now though; I only celebrated briefly, when I found out I’d be joining the MG Triple Eight team, before I got straight back into race mode. You certainly don’t want to be out on the track just to make the numbers up.”

Both Josh and Ashley are honoured to be racing for a team like MG. Josh said: “To be associated with a brand like MG, particularly when it has such heritage, is a real honour. We’re both really looking forward to being part of this great team, especially when it comes with a large amount of support from MG enthusiasts.”

With only a few weeks until the first round, at Ashley’s home circuit Brands Hatch, the anticipation will continue to build as the duo prepare themselves.

Ashley enjoys getting outside to clear his mind ahead of a race weekend. “I try and have a day off so I can chill out, let my brain relax and get it into another mode. I think carefully about my strategy and plan the track as much as I can. There’s definitely more to it than just getting in the car and pushing a few pedals!”

Josh agrees: “There’s always a lot going on at a touring car weekend, it’s just as busy off the track as it is on. It can be a difficult task to separate yourself from all that and it was something that took me some time to do. I always make sure that I take myself away for 20 minutes before the race starts to sit down with my engineer and recap our strategy. It also allows me to have some head space and get in the zone.”

It’s not all about strategy though. The lads both have rituals they like to carry out before a race. “I have to get into my car in a particular way”, adds Josh. “Some drivers put their helmet on then get in the car. I like to mix things up a bit by getting in the car, then putting my helmet on. I also like to do my belt up myself, rather than have one of the team do it. Don’t ask me why, it’s just what I’ve always done!”

Ashley opts for more of a good luck charm. “Roadrunner. Yeah, he’s my lucky charm. Every time he’s been on, or in, my car, I’ve won the championship so he’ll definitely be coming with me for the ride!”

With both drivers coming from a karting background and being young champions from the Clio Cup series, they’re already getting on well. “I’m really looking forward to working with Josh”, says Ashley. “We’ve got great chemistry already and there’s definitely a bit of a bromance going on!”

But it’s also a competition and as both Ashley and Josh sit waiting for those lights to change and their blood is pumping, eager to collect some good points, it’s every man for himself.

New dealership added to MG's portfolio, however, they need to KEEP them, they need new metal now.

Nathaniel Cars, known locally in Bridgend as the ‘House of Cars’, is the latest dealer to join the MG franchise. The Wales based family-run garage, which was established by Wayne Griffiths 35 years ago, is now run by him and his son Nathan. 

With a strong local presence, the company will be a great addition to MG’s growing dealer network when it goes live next week (1st October). Both Wayne and Nathan Griffiths are very excited to be adding MG to their existing three franchises.

Nathan said: “We can’t wait to start selling MGs. We think the model range offers exceptional value for money and has a huge potential. It’s also great to be selling such an iconic British brand; something I’m sure our customers will feel a sense of pride in too.”

“We’re really excited about the range and love the MG3 because you’re getting so much for a car. There are so many different combinations and we think our customers are going to enjoy playing around with the options available.”

Nathaniel Cars currently sells around 1,200 units a year through its other franchises. The company’s ethos is all about putting the customer first. They offer a children’s play area to keep the kids entertained while parents browse, a specialist new parts sales counter is available for any technical queries and there is also a service and MOT centre on site.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing for MG, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Nathaniel Cars to our dealer network. We have been looking, and continue to look, for family-run companies like Nathaniels as they are often well known in their area at the grass roots level and are not afraid to get out into their local community to put the product in front of customers.

“We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Nathaniel Cars.”

Mike Brewer to attend this years 65th meeting of MGLive at SIlverstone, a great event for MG Fans.

Mike will be heading to the world’s biggest MG event on Saturday, 20^th June, opening the Car Club’s 65^thmeeting at the home of British Motorsport. He’ll be joined by the MGA that he and his sidekick mechanic Edd China restored on the current season of Wheeler Dealers.

Mike said: “There aren’t many marques that are as well-loved as MG. It’ll be my first time at MGLive! and I’m really looking forward to getting down to Silverstone for the day.”

He will be opening the event from the show’s Live Arena before taking time to meet fans and host the world’s first Human Gymkhana! 

The Human Gymkhana will see contestants undertake a variety challenges in the fastest time possible – it will test you both physically and mentally!

As well as his hosting duties in the arena, Mike will be on hand to meet the fans for pictures and to sign autographs.

Mike will be joined in the live arena by Russ Swift – the legendary precision and stunt driver, who’ll be showing his skills demonstrating two-wheeled driving, extreme parallel parking and more.

MGLive! will also feature two days of racing on the historic Grand Prix circuit, the biggest and best traders in the MG world, autojumble, and, on the Sunday, Pride of Ownership and Concours D’Elegance. 

Saturday night boasts a packed programme of live entertainment, including live music, a hog roast, disco and fully-licenced bar and there’s no need to worry about driving, since MGLive! also offers pitches for camping and caravans.

MG dealership offers dream salesmans job to those that can build upon MG's fast growing future.

Fancy being an MG Sales Manager? It’s one of the new jobs created at the latest MG dealer appointment. Blights MG in Bideford, Devon, has become the fifth new MG dealer to be appointed in 2015 and, even before the official launch date, it has plans to expand.

Tim Blight, a partner in the third-generation family business, said: “During our 82 years of existence we have represented lots of brands from Triumph, Standard, Vauxhall and Ford, but I can honestly say that none have created the excitement and interest that followed news of us winning an MG franchise.

“We’re creating a big, new showroom area and have decided that we need a dedicated MG Sales Manager to do justice to the brand, so if there are people out there with the right 

background, we could have their dream job for them here.”

Blights was founded in 1933 by Tim’s grandfather, Jack Blight, who started a business shoeing horses, then went on to building trailers before establishing one of the oldest car businesses in Devon.  

The business, in Clovelly Road in the heart of Bideford, currently employs 28 people but Tim expects further jobs to be created in the future as the firm grows the MG brand.

Plans are already under way for a programme of summer events in north Devon where MG will be one of the star attractions.

Tim’s brother, Jeff, who runs the five-bay serving department, has strong interests in motorsport and is a keen amateur rally and specials track driver. His nephew, Nicholas, who also works in the business, is a keen sprint racer.

Jeff is also an expert at restoring historic vehicles and has a collection of classics, which includes a 1928 Austin lorry and an Austin 7. 

Blights MG will serve a wide area of north Devon including Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe, Torrington and Bude. Tim said: “We are really excited about MG and both the MG3 and the new MG6 are getting lots of positive press.

“People are now realising just what a great value-for-money package the new MG range has to offer. I know our customers will be surprised by just how much they get with the modern MGs, which are packed with high levels of equipment that you normally pay extra for with other brands.”