MG announces jobs push to cash in on rising demand
NEW jobs are set to be created at MG as the firm looks to capitalise on its improving sales.
The Chinese-owned company said it was looking to recruit high calibre engineers and designers who would work on the next generation of MG cars at its Longbridge-based Technical Centre.
Vacancies at the MG Birmingham site include specialists in body engineering, engines, transmissions, vehicle integration and design.
New MG cars, such as its award-winning MG6 models, now sell in dozens of countries, and the company is planning a raft of new models.
However, the company faces tough competition from the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, which is also looking to attract new talent. Several firms have raised concerns recently that they are struggling to get the skilled staff they need because of the influx of staff to JLR.
David Lindley, Managing Director of SMTC UK, said: “Modern MGs are designed and engineered in Birmingham and sold in an ever increasing number of markets throughout the world.
“As well as the UK and China, MG has recently expanded into markets such as Egypt, Uruguay and New Zealand. This is a huge success story for British designers and engineers and, we have a fantastic range of future products to work on.
“But the rate of growth has increased pressure on us and we now need to recruit more top class people. We are looking for bright, professional automotive specialists who have the enthusiasm and drive to help us push the MG and Roewe brands even further ahead.”
MG parent, SAIC Motor is the eighth largest automotive company in the world and its portfolio includes both MG and Roewe, a brand sold exclusively in China, with many of the designs based on old MG Rover vehicles.
However, SAIC Motor is keen to expand its global presence and has also announced it is to open a new base in the United States to expand its North American operations.
Nearly 100 people will be based in SAIC’s 30,000sq ft offices in bizarrely, Birmingham, a suburb of Michigan. Staff will focus on three key areas: purchasing, logistics and technology and engineering.
The office will work with almost 150 different North American automotive parts, materials and component suppliers and logistics will concentrate on the export and import of automotive parts. It will also deal with the design, engineering and quality control for the development and production of vehicle components and parts.
SAIC has a long standing joint venture with General Motors and senior engineers at MG Motor UK are involved with GM on the development of future engines.
Last year SAIC Motor sold more than 4m vehicles and is the eighth largest automotive manufacturer in the world. China overtook the USA to become the largest car market in the world in 2009 and last year 20m new cars were sold in China.
