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For
the second time this year 3C visited the birthplace of many of our
cars, this time round the factory tour was not on the agenda. Instead
our host Ian Pogson SAIC's Chief Project Manager & Engineer treated us
to some interesting info of his time in China, and some interesting
facts of developing the LE500 & 85th Anniversary TF's. To us a gear
knob is just a cosmetic part of the car with a function but believe it
or not, just the gear knob itself has a report file as thick as your
arm and that is just one small part of the car. As many of you know
the all new MG6 will be built at Longbridge next year, the first
entirely new car to be built since the demise of MGR but the earliest
we will see the car on UK roads will be early in 2011. Already the MG5
is on the way, the mould is already at the factory but under wraps,
for us as MG owner / drivers things are not coming quick enough but
after the talk Ian gave us we can start to understand what is required
to produce a car.
With recent media reports of the factory being shutdown for the winter
a lot of the reports are looking like doom and gloom, but is this
really the case? It's true that production is at an end for 2009, but
over the closed period the new production line for the MG6 will be
installed. The TF is considered as a summer car and with most of 2009
production already at dealerships there is little point in producing
cars to stand idle over the winter months hence the cease of
production.
It's not all good news though, some information which we were made
privvy to isn't great news. After leaving Longbridge and recapping on
Ian Pogson's talk I can understand why this is, I guess this is why I
prefer to hear it from the inside rather than the media or critics
with all their speculation.
Our members who attended this thoroughly enjoyed the visit and wish to
pass on our thanks to Ian Pogson who not only gave up his time but
also sought the authorisation to allow us to attend a visit outside
working hours. If you are lucky enough to have the chance to listen to
Ian's talks you will find a genuine person who wants to see the good
old days returning Longbridge and also to the brand. |
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It's
true, we successfully made it through our first year! To celeberate
the occasion many attended the Taste of Wales Weekend and what a
weekend it was. The weather in true 3C form was excellent, roof's down
driving through the Elan Valley with fantastic scenery and ending the
day with an overnight stop at Barmouth. Sunday the weather got better,
not a cloud in sight at Harlech Castle & Port Meirion before heading
off to Horseshoe Pass.
For more photo's of the weekend click
here |
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