Nanjing Automobile Group and Fraser Welford-Winton, managing director of the GB Sports Car Company Ltd, have reached an agreement to resume MG Rover production at Longbridge.

Together with Nanjing's advisers, Arup Group and China Ventures Ltd, Fraser’s team will work on the development of a range of MG cars to be designed and developed for manufacture at the Birmingham site.

The move is the first major announcement by the Chinese firm since it bought MG Rover for around £60m last month, raising hopes of creating up to 2,000 jobs at Longbridge.

Welford-Winton said: "I am delighted I will be at the heart of the development and implementation of a business plan that will produce long term skilled jobs at Longbridge and create a centre of excellence for sports car activities for which the UK is world renowned."

He is believed to have financial backing from venture capital firms worth up to £30 million.

Wang Hong Biao, vice president of Nanjing Automobile Group, said: “We are delighted to have such fine British partners to reach our goals. In particular the wide knowledge and experience of Fraser and his team will complement the skills of ARUP and Nanjing Automobiles”