According to just-auto.com, the facility, which will employ 300 people, will be in charge with designing and engineering of all future MG models, even if, at least at first, some of those models will be using Chinese-made parts.
"These two centers of excellence sit at the heart of the MG Birmingham plant where a new family of MG models are currently being designed and engineered," a MG Motor UK spokesman told BBC.
"The designing of new cars and the engineering and technical aspects of the cars is all happening here in the UK. It's a very significant day. SAIC could have gone anywhere in the world for this but they chose Birmingham and Longbridge. It's an important endorsement."
The complex which houses the design center will also be in charge with manufacturing some of the models which come to life on paper here. As you already know, SAIC purchased most of MG's intellectual property after it took over rival Nanjing Automobile Group in 2007.
"The MG6 fastback will be built here later in 2010 and it will be followed by a saloon version next year. They will be both be sold here and in China," the spokesman added.
As for the Roewe 350 hatchback, although initial rumors pointed to it being a possible model to be built in the UK, it would appear the Rover 75-based car will remain Chinese-only.
Google News