Manganese Bronze has another year to work on Chinese car plan

LONDON black cab maker Manganese Bronze has agreed a contract extension with Chinese car manufacturer Geely International, which is planning to launch its vehicles in the UK.

The one year agreement announced in August last year relating to the potential distribution in the UK of Geely’s vehicles and spare parts, and the provision of after-sales service, is to be extended by a further year.

Under the terms of the original agreement, Coventry-based Manganese Bronze had been granted exclusivity to develop and agree a business plan with Geely covering all aspects of the potential launch of Geely products in the United Kingdom and their ongoing after-sales support.

Manganese Bronze and Geely have established a project team to determine the scope of any future distribution arrangements and say they remain committed to entering the UK market with a “competitive and appealing product range backed up with an effective after-sales process”.

The companies say it is the clear intention of both parties to agree the business plan  and enter into a longer-term distribution agreement but, should this not be possible, the agreement will lapse on August 1 next year.

Manganese Bronze chief executive John Russell said: “The UK car market is one of the most discerning in the world and it is appropriate that we take the extra time this extension gives us to ensure that the final distribution agreement is a firm foundation for a successful launch.”