We reported earlier that China’s Nanjing Automobile Group was restarting production of the born-again TF roadster at MG’s original plant in Longbridge, England. The first pre-production models have come off the line but union officials in the UK aren’t happy because only 250 workers, a fraction of the original 6,000 staff, have been hired for what is essentially 'kit car' assembly.

Autocar magazine reports that most of the production is handled by workers at Nanjing’s brand new plant in Pukou, China. However, a spokesman for the firm has said "the TF will be constructed, welded and painted at Longbridge, and even the body will be made with British steel. It's only the fascia that is being built overseas, so fans shouldn't be disappointed."

The new MG cars will be sold through a network of 90 dealers across the UK, and Nanjing is planning to sell up to 90,000 units across Europe by the end of 2009. Nanjing is also expected to open a plant in Oklahoma in the US next year to coincide with the relaunch of the brand in North America.