MG Rover parts future-proofed by Xpart
Lindsay Porter discovers many new ‘legacy’ MG Rover parts coming on-stream
Here’s one of the most heartening stories about classic British parts supply that I’ve heard in a long time. I was lucky enough to be invited to Xpart, a company that I confess I hadn’t heard of. Though news to me, the story of parts for MG Rover ‘legacy’ cars, the Xpart story, is huge. Xpart is the name of the original MG Rover Group Parts business, acquired by Caterpillar Logistics before MG Rover went into administration in 2005. Naturally, the failure of Longbridge and the Nanjing takeover created obstacles, but the good news is that Xpart spares is now located in a state-of-the-art distribution centre at Hinckley, Leicestershire.
Xpart continues to be the OE parts supplier for MG and Rover vehicles. The new MGF and MGF Trophy headlights, re-engineered because the original tooling was worn out, are stunning examples of Xpart’s progress. Also, there are new interior rear lamp covers and indicator units, while the MGF and TF’S complex combined screen and door seals have been recreated and are almost ready for sale. Many other minor but vital components are going back into production too. Xpart isn’t just concentrating on the more in the legacy MG Rover range and the cars are also receiving a helping hand. Rover 75 Tourers were becoming write-offs just because of damaged bumpers – so it was good news when Gary of Xpart discovered the original press in China. It would have cost a small fortune to ship it back again, so Xpart a batch of high-quality GRP bumpers. This means that 75 Tourers would have been crushed are now in full mode – one is in Xpart’s own fleet. Partly thanks to Xpart’s efforts, latest data the number of the MG Rover 25/45/75 and F/TF cars is stabilising. What’s more, according to Xpart general manager Steve George, ‘Resale values on the rise, particularly for MGF and TF models, and this can only be good for the long-term survival of much loved MG and Rover cars.’ More than 20,000 MG Rover part lines are available. You can buy them through Xpart’s distributors, including Xpart Autoservice Centres, the equivalent of the old main dealer workshops.