The reopening of the MG Rover plant at Longbridge came as a symbolic triumph for the city of Birmingham.
Three new MG TF sportscars were on display at a ceremony staged by new owner Nanjing Automobile Corporation.
But the vehicles unveiled at the opening were merely assembled at Longbridge, not manufactured there.
Even so, the event attracted a great deal of attention from the British media...
...As well as from 16 Chinese-language journalists, who had come to Birmingham specially for the occasion.
A parade of historic MG cars, the oldest dating back to 1925, was another feature of the occasion.
The firm that now owns Longbridge is China's oldest carmaker - and most of the MG's components will be made in China.
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