LONGBRIDGE PROVIDES A CLEANER BLACK CAB FOR BIRMINGHAM

WINNING MG ON SHOW AT CANARY WHARF

The race-winning MG ZS Hot Wheel Racing Touring car leads a display of exciting MG cars at this year’s Motor Expo show in Canary Wharf.  MG is displaying its new product range – the TF sports car, the ZR, ZS and the ZT - which has quadrupled in size since this time last year.

Top-of-the-range models of each range are on display:

• MG ZR 160

• MG XPOWER ZS Touring car

• MG ZT-T (the estate version of the ZT saloon)

• MG TF 160

The MG stand is sited near the Tower on the North-side of the Canary Wharf Motor Expo, which is a free show, open between Monday 10 June and Saturday 15 June, between 9am-6pm.

MG ZR – THE AFFORDABLE SPORTS CAR ENTRANT

CHASSIS ENTERTAINMENT WITH MG ZS SPORTS SALOON

MG’s new ZS sports saloon has a distinct dynamic character, race-track looks, a powerful engine and is the basis of the Company’s entry into Touring Car racing.  With a powerful and smooth six-cylinder engine, rare in a car of this size and unique at the price, the range-topping MG ZS 180 is expected to excite sports-minded drivers.

Wind-tunnel work on the car’s aerodynamics, have produced a package for the ZS 120 of front bib and rear spoilers and side skirts to minimise aero drag and lift.  The bumper increases airflow to the engine, increasing stability at speed and highlights the car’s muscular stance when viewed from the front.

MG ZS flatters the smooth, skilful driver, yet it also rewards the more adventurous driver who may enjoy exploiting its performance. The vehicle retains excellent directional stability.  The chassis specification of ZS was actually developed on the racetrack by enthusiasts before the MG saloon programme started.

DYNAMIC ZT SALOON HEADS MG RANGE

NEW GENERATION MG TF SPORTS CAR

• Body shape - front, side and rear styling and aerodynamic improvements

• Headlamps incorporate projector and direction indicator lamps

• Entirely new suspension for enhanced driver involvement and response:

• Coil springs replace the interconnected Hydragas system

•  Solidly-mounted subframes for improved handling responsiveness

MG ROVER IN TALKS OVER CONTINUED OPERATION OF
DAEWOO-FSO PLANT IN WARSAW, POLAND

MG GETS THE MIDAS TOUCH

As the only truly all-British team at this weekend's British Touring Car Championships at Silverstone, MG XPOWER Hot Wheels Racing and WSR have chosen to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee by adding the Midas touch to the MG ZS Touring car.

The screen headers on the cars of Anthony Reid and Warren Hughes, usually seen in vibrant green and XPOWER grey, will be replaced with jubilee gold and black for this special occasion.

In addition, the 1.5 Millionth MG - a Golden Jubilee commemorative MG TF 160 - will be displayed on bank holiday Monday by the MG stand at the Silverstone circuit. Finished in new Monogram 'Jubilee' Gold paintwork, it features Golden Jubilee emblems embroidered into the headrests and embossed into the wheel centres. It also carries the MG02 OTF registration.

The MG TF is taking part in the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Cavalcade in London on Tuesday 4 June. The cavalcade departs from Horse Guards Parade, past Buckingham Palace and along The Mall from mid-afternoon. See Silverstone May31/Jun2

ASTON VILLA ANNOUNCE MGR AS OFFICIAL SPONSOR

Steve Stride, Mark Ansell from Villa and Terry Hunt of MGR, with the one-ff R25!

Two of the Midlands most prestigious corporate names, Aston Villa and MG Rover Group, have today announced a shirt sponsorship deal encompassing the next two seasons.

The Midlands' biggest British car manufacturer obtained "Premiership" status by linking up with the region's premier football club to ensure an extension to an ongoing commercial partnership to almost twenty years.

MG Rover Group, UK Retail Sales Director, Terry Hunt commented: "This is a marriage between the Midlands' premier car manufacturer and premier football club - and is testament to how far MG Rover Group has progressed over the last two years. Official club sponsor is a significant investment for the company and reflects the fact that we are seen as one of the major players in the automotive industry. This deal enables us to market the brand at national and international level. On a local level the success of both Aston Villa and ourselves has and will continue to be of great importance to the region and further afield."

Aston Villa Chairman Doug Ellis was in Japan with the England Football team and therefore unavailable for today's announcement, added: "The synergy between ourselves and MG Rover Group is very apparent, both in terms of success and of importance to the region. Our relationship with them has progressed over the last two years - it seems only fitting that it has reached official club sponsor status."

The home and away kit will feature the Rover and MG brands respectively rather than having MG Rover Group on both. The home kit is available for order as of today and goes on sale in the club shop on 15 July. MG Rover Sales & Marketing Director, John Sanders added: "By separating the two brands between home and away kits we are maintaining the individuality of both brands. Of course this sponsorship will help contribute to the world-wide awareness and desirability of our two brands."

To celebrate the deal, MG Rover has produced a special one-off vehicle, an 'Aston Villa Rover 25'.

The car, which will include the club colours, crest and special features, will be given away as the prize in a special competition to be announced later in the summer.

MG TO THE RESCUE

MG has been chosen to support the Spa motor racing circuit in Belgium with the provision of its latest MG models. The circuit, one of the longest and fastest on the Formula 1 calendar, has selected four MG ZS’ as rescue vehicles, which will be sited around the circuit on race days and a MG ZT-T as its track safety car.

The MG ZS 120 and ZT-T 190 models all feature sports suspension, race-bred aerodynamics and powerful engines. The ZS is also the basis for the company’s entry in the British Touring Car Championship. All vehicles have been fitted with specialist fire and safety features including public address equipment, flashing lights, siren and also carry medical first aid, extinguishers, flags and essential tools.

Xavier Farcy, managing director of MG Rover Belux said: "With Spa circuit’s status changing to a permanent racetrack, having previously used parts of the public roads, the Spa management sought an automotive partner and we’re obviously delighted to have been chosen. The association with this premier motor racing circuit, at a time when the MG range is expanding and itself taking a competitive role in world motorsport, is great news."

ROVER ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF THE XVII COMMONWEALTH GAMES

City of Manchester stadium, 9^th May 2002: Olympic triple jump gold medallist and current World Champion Jonathan Edwards today joined Rover to announce their involvement as Official Car Sponsor for the XVII Commonwealth Games, to be held in Manchester from 25 July to 4 August 2002. Jonathan was accompanied at the announcement by his fellow Commonwealth Games athletes: cyclist and Olympic gold medallist Jason Queally, sprinter and Olympic silver medallist Darren Campbell and Britain’s number one long jumper Jade Johnson.

Rover will provide a fleet of over 800 chauffeur-driven cars to the Commonwealth Games – a record number of cars ever provided to a UK sporting event of this kind. The fleet, made up of Rover 45 and 75 models, will be readily available to transport athletes, coaches, VIPs and officials around Manchester to and from the various Commonwealth Games venues.

The Commonwealth Games is the UK’s largest multi-sport event. The event will involve over 5,000 athletes and officials, from 72 countries competing across 17 sports. An estimated one million people will attend the games and a further one billion will watch them on TV.

During the course of the competition, the fleet of Rover cars will travel approximately 1,500,000 miles and will be driven by at least 1,600 Commonwealth Games volunteer drivers.

Steve Robertson, UK Marketing Director of MG Rover Group, commented: "Manchester 2002 is set to be the biggest and best Commonwealth Games ever and we are honoured to be part of such a prestigious British event. This partnership with the Commonwealth Games is a natural fit for Rover, continuing our ongoing investment in the world of British athletics, for example with our sponsorship of Team GB at the Olympics."

Frances Done, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games, added: "It is marvellous to have Rover on board as Official Car Sponsor for the Commonwealth Games. It is fantastic to be connected to such a prestigious British brand. By providing the fleet of cars, Rover is making a significant contribution to the success of the Games."

Rover is a major investor in British athletics. It is a sponsor of Team GB at the Olympics through an ongoing partnership with the British Olympic Association, which began with the Sydney Olympics and extends through to Athens 2004. Rover has also recently created the Rover Combined Events Initiative, a four-year grass-roots scheme in partnership with UK Athletics to help young athletes get involved with combined events – to find the stars of the future. The scheme will create 15 centres around the UK, providing children of primary school age upward with better facilities and standards of coaching in combined events. It will also support the National Combined Events Squad training sessions, investing in those athletes already at the pinnacle of their career, including Dean Macey and Denise Lewis.

Rover has created two cars to celebrate the Commonwealth Games – the Rover 25 and Rover 45 Spirit Special Editions.

MG ROVER GROUP TO SUPPORT THE BRITISH INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW

MG Rover Group has today confirmed a decision to display ranges of MG and Rover cars at the British International Motor Show. The bi-annual event held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham is the UK’s most prestigious motoring shop window and this year will run from 23 October to 3 November.

The decision to have an active presence at Birmingham is based on the company’s strategy to only participate in the major European shows where orders for new cars can be taken or the traffic and subsequent level of customer enquiries is of a sufficiently high volume and quality.

During its relatively short history, MG Rover Group has significantly expanded its product offering, moving into new market segments. The British International Motor Show provides the opportunity to demonstrate the latest MG and Rover ranges to a huge volume of private and business customers.

Commenting on the decision, John Sanders, sales and marketing director for MG Rover Group said: "The Company is pleased to announce that it will be displaying the MG and Rover ranges at the British International Motor Show where we can expect in excess of 500,000 visitors to our stand. We have recently achieved spectacular success at other European shows by having a new car on display and Birmingham will be no exception to this strategy."

MG ROVER & POWERTRAIN STAFF GET WORLD CUP BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Employees at MG Rover and Powertrain will celebrate the company’s second anniversary with the news that they will have time off to watch England’s progress in the 2002 World Cup.

The company will use its flexible working time system to enable production staff to watch England versus Nigeria on Wednesday 12 June, employees not subject to working time arrangements to take a day’s holiday from their entitlement. The match between England and Argentina is played during the plant’s late spring shutdown week. Office-based staff will be able to use their holiday entitlement.

Should England’s football success mirror that of Britain’s biggest independent carmaker, staff will enjoy an added bonus. Progress past the group stage, to the knock-out phases, will see staff rewarded with an additional day’s holiday on the day of each match if they fall on a weekday.

Kevin Howe, Chief Executive, MG Rover suggested the idea. He said: "The England team will carry the hopes of many MG Rover and Powertrain workers, so it feels right to give people the time off to see the games. We wish the England team every success in Japan."

MG Rover was created, following the purchase of the Rover Group from BMW on 9 May, 2000.

In two years the company has made considerable progress. It is now a fully integrated automotive business, based entirely at Longbridge. It has a turnover in the region of £2 billion and employs 6500 people. The company has successfully launched the MG range of cars, and introduced the Rover 75 Tourer and the new MGTF.

The business has improved its performance in successive years, drastically reducing the losses faced by the Rover Group. In March 2002, MG Rover entered into a long-term strategic alliance with China Brilliance Industrial Holdings, which will see the joint development of world-class automobiles for the mutual benefit of both partners.

MG ROVER GROUP CELEBRATES ITS 2^nd BIRTHDAY - WITH SPECIAL CUSTOMER OFFERS

MG Rover Group’s second birthday (May 9) is being celebrated with special customer offers on new MG and Rover cars.

Building on a highly successful first quarter campaign that has produced an eight per cent sales increase, free insurance, low rates of finance and free servicing offers have been enhanced.

The one-year free insurance deal on MG ZR, is now extended to include the Rover 25 and MG ZS 120 models. Two-year free servicing is available on Rover 25 and 45 models. All models come with a three-year / 60,000 mile warranty. Zero per cent finance is available on Rover 25 and 45, MG ZR, ZS and TF, with a 50 per cent deposit. Other low deposit finance offers are also available. The attached list explains the offers in greater detail.

Steve Robertson, UK marketing director, MG Rover Group, said: "With the TF recently completing the new MG and Rover product line-up, the combination of strong financial and consumer offers means there has never been a better time to get behind the wheel of these great British cars."

FINANCE OFFERS, IN GREATER DETAIL

Low deposit finance offers are available, with examples below:

0% finance offers are available on Rover 25 and 45, MG ZR, ZS and TF:

SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT MG ROVER AND POWERTRAIN
 

MG Rover has appointed John Parkinson, Sales and Marketing Director, MG Rover Group, to the position of Managing Director for its parts business.

The appointment recognises the opportunity and importance of fully developing the commercial benefits of the parts business, which has an expected turnover in the region of £250 million.

A new identity has also been created for the business, to better reflect its independence and focus on developing additional 'third party' business.  XPART Limited replaces the name MG Rover Parts Limited.

John Parkinson will report directly to Kevin Howe, Group Chief Executive.  He said: "I am delighted that John will head-up XPART.  Taking full control of the parts operation and opening up new marketing opportunities is strategically very important.  John's sales and marketing experience will be a powerful asset.  He has been instrumental in our marketing progress with Rover and the launch of the MG brand."

John Sanders is promoted to the position of Sales and Marketing Director, on the Board of MG Rover Group.

Powertrain confirmed the appointment of Fraser Winton as Managing Director. Mr Winton, 40, has extensive powertrain experience and will head up a business with 1300 employees and a turnover in excess of £250 million.  He joins from Delphi Automotive. Mr Winton said: "I am delighted to be joining Powertrain at such an exciting time in its development as a strategic business unit within the Group."

1.5 MILLIONTH MG IS A GOLDEN JUBILEE SPECIAL

MG Rover announces today (16 April), the building of the 1.5 millionth MG car since production began in 1924. Over its 78-year history many characteristic varieties and designs of MG have made their mark on the enthusiastic motoring public and made this one of the most famous motoring brands. The 1.5 millionth MG produced today is the new TF 160. In celebration of H.M. Queen’s Golden Jubilee, it is fittingly painted in new Monogram Supertallic paint ‘Jubilee’ Gold and finished with special Jubilee badging.

MG has long been the by-word for sports car motoring and over its history, as illustrated in the attached listing, the proportion of roadster and sports saloon models produced runs at exactly 2:1, with the MGB itself accounting for one third in its own right.

In 1977 a similar project produced a specially prepared MGB GT finished in blue paintwork with Silver Jubilee livery, to celebrate the Silver Jubilee. This car was sold, with proceeds raising money for charity.

John Sanders, MG Rover’s group marketing director, said: "The MG marque is one of the most popular and enduring motoring marques, with a strong and enthusiastic following. The exclusivity of the MG experience is demonstrated by the 1.5 million MGs produced. This is no mainstream volume brand, but an authentic car capable of generating a rewarding driving experience for owners who demand more than just mere A-B transportation. The latest MG four model range delivers this exciting experience in a bold and dynamic way and is as authentic in its rewarding driving attitude as those that have been produced over the years."

1.5 MILLIONTH MG GOLDEN JUBILEE SPECIAL

It is significant that the 1.5 millionth MG should be the new TF, for it is the latest of a new range of MG sports cars and it currently holds the torch as the icon of the MG brand into the 21^st Century.

The 1.5 millionth MG Golden Jubilee is painted in a new paint treatment under the Monogram programme. Monogram is a range of 20 exclusive paint colours, one of which is ‘Monogram Jubilee’, a light, bright special Supertallic Gold that is available for an £800 additional charge.

Specified around the top of the range TF 160, this celebration model has been fitted with optional fog lamps and passenger air bag. The seats are uniquely fitted with Oxford leather seat bolsters and central black Alcantara cushions and seat backs, which are embroidered with the Golden Jubilee crown logo.

On the exterior, exclusive badging includes official Golden Jubilee crown logos – on the four 16" alloy wheels and also incorporated into the ‘160’ ingot badge on the rear, next to the TF identity badging. Above the mid-engine side-intakes are the words ‘THE 1.5 MILLIONTH MG’. Finally, the MG is registered MG02OTF, so that there is no mistaking its special production significance.

The Golden Jubilee TF will be participating in a motoring cavalcade that finishes in the Mall on 4 June and in between, will be used to raise money, with the proceeds going to one of H.M. Queen’s nominated Golden Jubilee charities.

MG MILESTONES

• 1924 – Cecil Kimber, Morris Garages General Manager, establishes a marketing niche for modified Morris cars that were sportier and faster. In a short time MG would come to stand for ‘affordable performance’ to a growing motoring world.

• May 1924 – thought to be the date that the MG Octagon was first placed on the Super Sports Morris.

• The telephone number – Abingdon 251 – provided the starting point for most MG’s chassis VINs (Vehicle Identification Numbers).

• MG’s competition success in the 30s was characterised by a class win with the K3 at the 1933 Mille Miglia road race – the first time a non-Italian team had won.

• The most famous TC customer was the Duke of Edinburgh, who bought the MG in August 1947.

• Longbridge designed and manufactured the A- and B-Series engines, 50 years ago in 1952, for the MG Midget and Z Series Magnette, MGA and MGB.

• Production TF and Magnette ZAs use a *501 VIN start, from BMC’s Birmingham headquarters telephone number.

• Wednesday, 16 May 1956 – 100,000^th MG was an LHD MGA 1500.

• The 500,000th MG was produced in 1963.

• The most famous MGC customer was HRH Prince Charles, who took delivery of his GT in 1969 (SGY 766F), which he recently passed down to Prince William.

• The 1,000,000^th was built in October 1975 – a unique LHD MGB roadster finished in Brooklands Green, with Jubilee GT livery and wheels.

• March 1962 – 100,000^th metallic Gold MGA displayed at New York Motor Show.

• Thursday, 27 May 1971 – an MGB GT is the 250,000^th MGB and given away in USA sweepstake.

• The first Longbridge built MG was the MG 1100/1300 family in 1962.

• Tuesday, 9 May 2000 – MG and Rover brands returned to British ownership, with Production, Engineering, Sales and Marketing centred at Longbridge and shares held by MG Rover Group employees and its franchised dealers.

• Production of the new TF commenced with a *101 VIN after the company’s Longbridge telephone number (0121 475 2101) tradition.

• Tuesday, 16 April 2002 – the 1.5 Millionth MG is a new MG TF 160 roadster (VIN 604127). The TF is icon of the current MG range, which includes the ZR, ZS and ZT.

MG ROVER GROUP ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH CATERHAM CARS