MG dealers hoping to get the reborn TF sportscar into their showrooms before the end of the year must now wait until February. MG, owned by Chinese carmaker Nanjing Automotive has confirmed that damage in transit of Chinese-made components is one reason for the delay, along with testing new parts and a wish not to launch the convertible car in winter. “We were looking to put the car out in late autumn, now production will begin at the end of this month,” said a spokeswoman. She said four Chinese-sourced windscreens had been smashed before they reached the factory. “We thought, what are the practicalities of bringing screens 6,000 miles round the world? Wouldn't it be more sensible to do something closer to home?” said the spokeswoman. She insisted the problems for the already delayed sportscar were “relatively minor,” and that there was “an ongoing testing schedule” which needed to be finished to ensure that glitches didn't appear in production cars. She added that there had also been an intention to have a simultaneous UK and Chinese launch for the model, and that switching its debut to February would allow buyers to order cars with the latest 2008 registration plates. So far Nanjing has chosen not to name the dealers it has appointed to sell the TF.