Midland manufacturers unite as CBI announces 18-ye...

Tyre manufacturer Goodyear has announced that it has been chosen as the original equipment provider for the new MG3 Supermini, in a move which sees two of the Midlands’ highest-profile automotive manufacturers working together.

The partnership coincides with the results of the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) quarterly Industrial Trends Survey, released today, which shows that growth in the UK’s confidence in manufacturing is at its strongest in 18 years.

MG’s latest model, which is assembled in Longbridge, will come equipped with Goodyear’s EfficientGrip Performance tyre, the compound for which is produced at its Wolverhampton factory.

Chosen for its low rolling resistance and excellent wet grip, the EfficientGrip Performance went through several rounds of testing against a number of other leading brands before being chosen.

Kate Rock, Goodyear Dunlop consumer and brand PR manager said: “It is wonderful to continue working closely with MG. As the CBI figures show, confidence is growing and this new partnership is evidence of that growth here in the Midlands.

“The EfficientGrip Performance tyre has topped independent testing polls thanks to its wet grip and rolling resistance abilities. Not only is it a tyre that improves driver safety, but it also has a positive impact on the environment too.

“The tyre compound is made in Wolverhampton, so we like to say that there’s a little bit of Wolverhampton in every Goodyear tyre.”

Guy Jones, sales & marketing director at MG, said: “It’s great that MG3s roll off the final assembly line here at MG Birmingham on Goodyear tyres. Goodyear’s plant at Wolverhampton is close to our factory in Birmingham where the MG3 was designed and developed by our team of 300 designers and engineers.”

Image: Doug Wallace, Communications Manager, MG & Ian Taylor, production director, Goodyear Dunlop UK.