CHINA/UK: Nanjing plans Austin-Healey revival

Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation has announced a deal to revive the famous Austin-Healey brand.

Nanjing, Healey Automobile Consultants and HFI Automotive on Tuesday said they would collaborate on the future development of the Healey and Austin-Healey brands and sports cars bearing their name.

The three firms said the agreement would put an end to long-standing issues about ownership of the brands and trade marks and expand opportunities for joint trade between the companies.

Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation is the China-based parent company of Nanjing Automobile Corporation (UK) which acquired the assets of MG Rover in July 2005 and is currently re-starting production of the MG TF and ZT model lines in both China and Longbridge, UK.

HFI designs, develops, makes and sells sportscars worldwide and is the automotive partner of the owners of the Healey brand (Healey Automobile Consultants (HAC)), providing automotive design, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, sales and marketing and consultancy services to HAC.