News & Resources

SAIC Motor announces major expansion of UK design facility

24 Sep 2012

  • Expansion of SAIC Motor’s European Design Centre has commenced in Birmingham.
  • Total investment of £1.5 million enables current facility to double in size by mid-2013.

MG’s parent company, SAIC Motor UK has announced plans to expand its European Design Centre, based at the company’s Longbridge headquarters.

Following a total investment of £1.5 million in the facility by SAIC Motor UK, the European Design Centre is to double in size to more than 2000m2. The investment allows new software and equipment to be installed in the studio, including a state-of-the-art visualisation suite, increased modelling facilities and a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) five-axis milling machine. When the expansion is complete, the design department will be able to work on up to five full-size models at any one time.

The UK-based facility is responsible for the design of the MG3, MG5 and MG6, spearheading the company’s European design strategy and providing input on all global projects. 

David Lindley, Managing Director of SAIC Motor UK said, “Expanding our design studio will enable us to work on greater numbers of projects at the same time and improve our design capabilities across SAIC Group models destined for European and Chinese markets.”

Newly appointed, UK Design Director, Martin Uhlarik said, “MG is enjoying a rebirth in the UK and globally, and it’s not every day that a designer gets a chance to be a part of that. 

“SAIC and MG have ambitious plans with the European Design Centre and future model launches mean the design team has an exciting time ahead of it. The expanded studio will give us the space and equipment we need to fine-tune a modern, sporty and progressive design language for MG models and attract a truly world-class design team.”

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