SAIC, the Chinese owner of MG, will receive a visit from the leader of Birmingham City Council this week, urging it to keep its promises to bring more jobs and investment to Longbridge.

Earlier this year, SAIC held out the possibility of more than doubling the workforce and building 50,000 vehicles a year in Birmingham, reported Birmingham Post.

Fewer than 200 people are believed to be employed at the plant at the moment, although there are plans to produce 3,700 cars a year.

Councillor Mike Whitby will ask the SAIC board to speed up plans to transfer 250 designers and engineers, currently based at a research and development centre in Leamington, Warwickshire to Longbridge.

Whitby said: “The city’s history is inherently linked to the automotive and manufacturing industries and SAIC recognises the pedigree and potential of a city with the skill set to back up its ambitions.”