The historic Longbridge car plant officially reopened today with its new Chinese owners promising the "rebirth" of the MG sports car.
Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) held a glitzy relaunch ceremony at the huge Birmingham plant.
The facility has been closed since MG Rover collapsed just ahead of the last general election in April 2005, with the loss of almost 6,000 jobs. The closure was a significant blow to the UK car industry and to the economy in the West Midlands.
NAC, which subsequently bought all of MG Rover's assets for £53m, hopes to revive Longbridge by building the MG TF sports cars and other, new, models there. In a first phase of its revival strategy, the firm said it plans to produce 15,000 cars per year.
Nanjing's CEO, Yu Jian Wei, told reporters at the launch event today that the MG TF would be in showrooms by September or October.
The Chinese have pledged an initial investment of £10m. One hundred and thirty workers have been recruited so far - a figure NAC plans to increase to 250 by the end of the year. The manufacturers' union Unite welcomed today's reopening, but called on Nanjing to "honour their stated objective of creating 1,200 jobs".
While many of those who lost their jobs have retrained, other ex-Longbridge workers were still looking for work, Unite said.
Mr Wei declined to give an exact timescale of the "first phase" of breathing life back into Longbridge. He said that it depended on sales and the success of the brand in the UK.
Mr Wei said that Longbridge had an "irreplaceable role in the MG project" and was the "front line of our internationalisation strategy". Today was the "re-birth of MG", which has a glorious past, he said.
There was a touch of theatre as the first cars rolled off the production line through a mist of dry ice and to the sound of thumping classical music. The first MG off the line was a bright orange one, followed by more traditional white and black models.
The new cars were joined by a line of classic MGs. As the union flag fluttered beside the Chinese flag on the Longbridge buildings, balloons and tickertape were released.
Workers expressed delight and excitement that they were back at the plant.
Tim Colgan, 36, an expert in car emissions, spent 16 years working at Longbridge before it closed two years ago. He found another job at a testing laboratory but swiftly took the chance to return to Longbridge.
"I love the history of the place. It's so important for the area, and for the UK in general. The amount of knowledge the people who work here have is inspiring. When I had the chance to come back, I didn't hesitate. I wanted to be part of it. It's an honour to be working with the Chinese people."
Steve Bunn, a facilities manager, said most of those he had asked to return had jumped at the chance. "It's a pressurised job. You are working on an expensive item," he said. "But that creates great teamwork, and you get a buzz from seeing the end product."
Mr Wei declined to be drawn on a date when commercial production would actually begin; nor would he be drawn on the price at which the car will be offered.
Mike Whitby, the leader of Birmingham City council, said Longbridge was "part of the fabric of Birmingham's heritage", adding: "I am delighted that NAC MG will breathe new life into this famous marque."
