A relic from Britain’s recent industrial past will gain a new lease of life in China next week with the launch of the two new cars based on MG Rover models.

Nanjing Automobile, the Chinese company that bought the assets of MG Rover in 2005, will begin production on Tuesday of a four-door saloon derived from the Rover 75 and a convertible sports car destined for the Chinese market similar to the iconic MG TF model.