Opportunity to make Longbridge a byword for innovation MP Richard Burden, whose constituency includes the MG plant at Longbridge, calls for a greater commitment to regenerating the area which still suffers the effects of Rover's closure

• Published in: Birmingham post (Birmingham, England)
• Main Author: Burden, MP Richard
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Birmingham (UK) Mirror Regional Newspapers 11.09.2009

Car making can still be part of that broader future. The days of mass manufacturing at Longbridge have gone for ever but the MG brand is still at Longbridge within the Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) group of companies. The global recession means that these are challenging times for every car company in every country. It is not surprising, therefore, that both production volumes and sales of the current MG TF sports car have been modest this year. But SAIC are well positioned to become a global player in the years to come and Longbridge can be the centre of their European operation. It makes sense for us to encourage SAIC to bring to Longbridge as much car assembly for the European market as possible. But car assembly is only part of the story. Research and development are just as important and SAIC has already based a key technical centre here in the West Midlands. With the right vision and cooperation between partners, that centre could play a major role in developing Longbridge as a focal point for addressing the low carbon future that the automotive industry has to embrace, and to link with the exciting work on low carbon technologies that is already taking place in universities right here in the West Midlands. The redevelopment of the Longbridge site is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the country. Last month's confirmation of funding for Bournville College to relocate into a futuristic new building at Longbridge must be used to put high skills at the centre of the new Longbridge's offer to local people and potential investors.