In the UK 50 dealers awarded the MG franchise last year in preparation for the brand's relaunch are still waiting for cars.

Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) had previously said the MG TF LE500 launch model would go on sale this month. That followed an earlier target to launch the car in September 2007, which passed by with no sign of production cars.

Now NAC's merger with Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) in December seems to have put the launch back yet further, as SAIC isn't happy with the quality. SAIC is now suggesting the TF won't be coming out of its Longbridge final assembly plant until this August.

The appointed dealers remain upbeat that there is still a loyal following for the MG brand, however industry observers feel that each setback to the launch is impacting on customer perception.

When, or if, TF finally arrives, MG is likely to have to price the car extremely competitively to negate the aged design and possible stigma of being made in China.