Millions watch luxury hybrid car launch at iconic city venue

Brindleypace in Birmingham is the setting for a new car advert on TV and social media that will be seen by millions of people across the UK and Europe.

The 30-second ad is for the MG3 Hybrid+ car, with the vehicle taking on the principal ‘acting’ role as it tells viewers it has none of the “range anxiety” of electric cars, as it also runs on petrol.

The advert, which has already been aired on ITV, Channel 4 and Sky Sports, opens at Yorks Café at the Ikon Gallery in Oozells Square, with the female driver of the blue MG3 Hybrid+ popping in to buy a ‘hybrid coffee’.

She then returns to the car, surrounded by the ‘glow’ of brightly coloured bubbles, before driving off on a short journey through Brindleyplace as the advert ends with the slogan “release your feel good”.

The setting of Brindleyplace was chosen by locations agency Places and Spaces, based in Harborne, Birmingham.

Pam Cheema, who founded the agency almost two years ago, said: “They wanted an aesthetic, clean, European feel for the advert, and we know Brindleyplace very well and felt that it would suit their needs.

“The location needed that broad appeal, not just for UK markets, but also to be going out in Europe.”

Pam, who has been involved in the location-finding industry for 22 years, added: “This is probably the first major TV ad that has been shot in Brindleyplace and they will be keen to attract more filming opportunities in future.”

The MG3 advert, which said prices for the hybrid model started from £18,495, was made by UK commercial production company Lambda Films.

They said on their website that the aim of the TV commercial was to produce a ‘vibrant’ celebrating MG Motor UK’s centenary.

Gerald Manton, chairman of Westside BID, said: “It is great to see that our wonderful location of Brindleyplace is attracting interest in this way, and we look forward to welcoming the cameras back o Westside in the near future.”