The MG plant at Longbridge could build up to 3,000 cars a year in future, said owners Shanghai Automotive.

Production restarted this month with 55 of the site's 180 employees working in its logistics, paintshop and assembly operation.

They're hand-assembling around 45 cars per week, which will equate to around 2,000 per year.

But this could increase to 2,500 to 3,000 units, depending on demand, said the company.

So far enough cars have been completed to supply one to each of the 40 UK dealers who have signed franchised contracts.

Another 17 dealers-designate are yet to return their contracts.

The TF's parts are 40% sourced from the EU and 60% from China and the rest of the world.

Initially when Nanjing Automobile Corporation bought Longbridge, it had plans to restore production to 80,000 units per year from a workforce of 2,000 staff.