ARD Howden in west Yorkshire and Dundee-based Autoecosse were issued letters of intent by the brand last week to notch up the half century.

MG's coverage now stretches from Scotland to Cornwall, where it will be represented by RC Harding in Penzance, and from Howards in Llanelli in west Wales to the east of England where Holden Group will sell the brand in Norwich.

It has also secured representation in Belfast, Guernsey and the Isle of Man through Howard Abraham, Carrus and Mylchreests respectively. A spokeswoman for NAC MG said: “We would anticipate having 50 to 60 dealers at launch and as a fully functioning dealer network about 100.” She claimed the group had already received “in excess” of 100 enquiries from dealers interested in taking on the franchise. NAC MG acknowledged that the majority of MG dealers would be dual or multi-franchised. The spokeswoman said the amount of investment by dealers in showroom standards would depend upon the size of each business but that the carmaker will offer some financial assistance. “We are producing a corporate identity package that is adaptable and requires a realistic financial investment of which MG will contribute 50 per cent up to the value of £5,000,” she said.

In February the network will take delivery of 500 units of the TF LE 500 model and this will be followed within three months by shipments of the TF 135 base model. The spokeswoman predicted sales in 2008 of up to 3,600 units. Bristol-based Clist & Rattle, which was long established as an MG Rover dealer before the company's collapse in 2005, has taken on the NAC MG franchise. Jonathan Hart, sales director, said: “We hope to sell about 50 (units) a year. We sold plenty of TFs before.” Hart said the brand still enjoyed a following through the MG Owners' Club and added that the TF LE 500 was well specified and “should be competitive in the market.” He expected the TF 135 to be priced below the pre-NAC MG TF, which was priced from about £15,500. The group also represents Skoda, Renault, Perodua and Proton.