Relocation for SMTC UK

SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre (SMTC UK) has completed its move from Leamington to premises on the site of the

’s factory in Longbridge, Birmingham.

Ian Horton, SMTC UK’s director of business development, said, ‘We were already working closely with MG and the new geographical proximity of the companies can only be of benefit to the group and the MG brand. We now have a technical centre platform from which to grow the future of the group’s engineering in the UK.’

SMTC UK works on engineering and research-and-development projects for the SAIC Motor group, including new models destined for the Longbridge line.

One of SMTC UK’s first projects for MG is likely to be a remodelling of the existing TF into a limited-edition derivative to mark MG’s 85th anniversary in 2009.

More than 250 staff moved from Leamington to Longbridge following planning that had been in progress since last year. The move has benefited both MG Motor UK and SMTC UK, with in excess of £1m spent on an IT upgrade for the whole Longbridge site and larger technical centre offices and workshops for SMTC UK engineers.