In this article we will see more of the reactions by Oklahoma supporters of the Ardmore Nanjing's project as the first stories start to appear exposing what has the makings of another scam.

Local officials say MG project on track
NewsOK.com March 29, 2007
By Paul Monies, Business Writer

With a business plan spanning three continents, the MG sports car revival was bound to hit a few speed bumps on the way.

That was the company line Wednesday after a report surfaced that the joint venture to bring a Chinese automaker to Oklahoma could be in jeopardy.

A day after the first new MGs rolled off an assembly line in China, National Public Radio aired an interview with a Nanjing Automobile Group Corp. manager, saying the company's Oklahoma plans had been shelved.

However, Marc Nuttle, a Norman attorney and chairman of Oklahoma Global Motors LLC, said he just returned from a weeklong series of meetings with Nanjing executives in China.

"Our business plan remains on schedule to finalize these agreements," Nuttle said in a statement. "We are in the process now of completing all due diligence."

Nuttle did not respond to requests for further comment.

Caught by surprise, state and local officials issued a joint statement that the Oklahoma project remained on track.

"This is a complicated project, with individuals and companies on three continents, a foreign government and a former company in bankruptcy," the statement said. "There are many details to work through and issues to be resolved, but we are committed to the project and will continue ongoing discussions with all parties involved."

NPR aired an interview Wednesday morning with employee Paul Stowe, identified in British media reports as the quality director for Nanjing's MG division.

"My understanding is that there is no more plans with the Oklahoma plant," Stowe told NPR. "We are discussing possible ventures in America in the future, but I don't believe there's anything on the table at the moment with Oklahoma."

Stowe was not authorized to speak on behalf of the company, according to the joint statement from the Oklahoma Commerce Department, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the City of Oklahoma City and the Ardmore Development Authority.

"This individual is not a senior member of the team working with Oklahoma Global Motors and is not currently involved in moving the project forward," the statement said. "Representatives from NAC MG in the U.K. (United Kingdom) have confirmed that his statement was not an official announcement by the company and reflected his own opinion and not that of management."

Leslie Blair, a spokeswoman with the state Commerce Department, said Oklahoma Global Motors asked state officials not to comment further while the company finalizes its agreements.

Big plans were unveiled

In an economic development victory for the state, Nanjing announced plans last summer to begin North American production of the MG at a plant to be built near Ardmore. The Chinese automaker said it would partner with Nuttle's company in a joint venture that could bring up to 500 jobs to Oklahoma. Plans include the Ardmore assembly plant, a research center in Norman and corporate offices in Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma project is the third step in an ambitious plan by Nanjing to reintroduce the MG, whose assets were bought out of bankruptcy in 2005.

Nanjing shipped equipment and tooling from MG's former plant in Longbridge, England, to a new factory in China. The first cars rolled off that assembly line Tuesday. Nanjing plans limited MG production at Longbridge later this year.

Oklahoma lawmakers approved $20 million from the newly created Opportunity Fund to entice Nanjing to the state. That package included $15 million for a $35 million runway expansion at the Ardmore Airpark to accommodate large cargo planes with components and parts from Nanjing in China.

Wes Stucky, chief executive officer of the Ardmore Development Authority, said airport improvements are moving along, albeit slowly. Federal aviation officials are reviewing engineering and environmental plans. Bids for construction are expected to be circulated later this spring, he said.