page_title: Longbridge plant
section_title: After the war
hierarchical_section_title: Longbridge plant / History of Longbridge car industry / After the war
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo taken at the Longbridge plant, Birmingham in about 1948 showing Austin A40s.
context_page_description: Longbridge plant is an industrial complex in Longbridge, Birmingham, England, currently leased by SAIC as a research and development facility for its MG Motor subsidiary. Vehicle assembly most recently stopped in 2016.
  Opened in 1905, by the late 1960s Longbridge employed around 25,000 workers, building cars including the original Mini. In the Second World War, the main plant produced munitions and tank parts, while the nearby East Works of Austin Aero Ltd at Cofton Hackett produced Short Stirling and the Hawker Hurricane aircraft.
  Since the collapse of MG Rover in 2005, part of the site has been redeveloped for commercial and residential usage.
context_section_description: After the war, Leonard Lord took over as chairman. He laid plans for a rapid expansion, new models, and overseas marketing. In June 1946, the millionth Austin was produced. It was painted in a matt cream and signed by the Chairman and the work-people at a special celebration.
  Austin collaborated with Jensen Motors to manufacture the Austin A40 Sports, an aluminium bodied four passenger convertible — with bodies manufactured by Jensen at their West Bromwich plant and transferred to Longbridge for final assembly.  Later Austin collaborated with the Donald Healey Motor Company on the Healey 100.
  In 1952, Austin was amalgamated with Morris Motors LImited and became BMC.
  Harold Wilson's government arranged for BMC to be amalgamated into British Leyland in 1968.
caption: Photo taken at Longbridge in 1948
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