A deal to re-start production of MG-badged cars at the former Rover factory in Birmingham has been delayed again and may now come next week, the Financial Times reported, citing people close to the talks between China’s Nanjing Automobile and a UK start-up.

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The paper noted that GB Sports, run by former Rover managers, had expected the go-ahead from US financiers this week for a venture with Nanjing, which paid GBP53m for the assets of Rover last year after the company collapsed owing more than GBP1.4bn.


The Financial Times said a change in the consortium backing GB Sports is understood to have delayed the decision, which would see the joint venture make MG sports cars and large saloons in Birmingham and import other models from China.


GB Sports would also license the Austin-Healey brand from Nanjing in order to make its own cars, the paper added.

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