MG to Bring Three New Cars to Europe – U.S. Plans Scrapped

In addition to a revamped version of the current TF LE500 roadster, NAC, the Chinese owner of MG is planning to introduce three new models in Europe according to company’s managing director, Gary Hagen. “We’re planning a four-car range of MGs – first to arrive will be a mid-sized saloon sharing its platform with the Roewe 550. The planned introduction for this car is late 2010 and, looking at today’s marketplace, I see the main opposition as being the Mazda 6,” said Hagen in an interview with the British website Austin Rover Online. -Continued

“After that, there will be a C-segment compact and a B-segment supermini – and, no, that won’t be the MG3 SW, which has been a major success for us in China. Clearly, we have the capacity to build these cars in Longbridge and the Chinese are keen for this to happen,” added Hagen.

NAC MG’s managing director also took the opportunity to shed some light on the company’s ‘on and off’ plans for a return into the North American market. “We’re starting with the UK and Ireland and, once we’re up to speed, we will be pushing to sell in Europe. The USA isn’t on the short-term radar as an anticipated market for us but, with the right product, it would be good to return there,” Hagen told Austin Rover Online. The MG brand disappeared from U.S. dealerships in the early 1980s.

Via: Austin Rover Online

MG TF LE500 Production Commencing at Longbridge Plant in August 2008

Chinese carmaker NAC MG who owns the rights to the MG name has announced that production of the TF LE500 mid-engined roadster will commence at MG Rover’s Longbridge plant in Birmingham at the beginning of August, with the first cars delivered to showrooms in September.

The revived MG TF LE500 is virtually a mildly facelifted version of the original MG TF that was introduced in 1995 when the British marque was still under the control of BMW -talk about retro... The roadster received two facelifts in 1999 and 2002 before it went out of production in 2005. -Continued

Chairman for NAC MG UK Ltd, Mr He, Xiao Qing, said; “I am delighted to be in a position to talk about a launch date for the TF LE500 following a process of planning, re-organisation, active quality improvements and parts optimization that we recognize resulted in frustration for our stakeholders. We are now fully focused on bringing our hard work to fruition.”

NAC MG added that the company is planning to extend the MG range into additional sectors in the near future.

Chinese Cops Get MG7 Police Vehicles

Have you ever wondered what kind of vehicles do Chinese cops drive? Whilst many might rush to answer Ford Crown Victoria clones based on the Zinghai Ziouzitsou platform, Chinese cops at the Jiangsu Province recently received a new batch of Nanjing MG 7s. And if you’re wondering why, the reason is that the MG-ZT based MG 7 is built in the specific Chinese province. -More pics after the jump

Via: Chinacartimes , Pics via: xcar

China: Shanghai Automotive Buys Nanjing Auto

State-owned Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) has come to an agreement with Yuejin Motor Group (also state-owned…) to buy its Nanjing Automobile’s auto-assembly and component-making businesses. The deal, which is valued at 2.1 billion Yuan or approximately $286 million, will set Shanghai as one of the biggest players in China’s booming auto-industry. According to reports, the combined sales of Shanghai and Nanjing will surpass the 2 million units mark by 2010.

Of course a deal like this wouldn’t have been carried out without the consent of the all-mighty Chinese government who wants to see more mergers in China's fragmented passenger car market which kinda reminds the US and European car industry in the first half of the 20th century when there where like 50 or more independent car makers. -Continued

Interestingly, Nanjing Automobile owns MG Rover assets along with the right to the brand MG, while Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) obtained design rights for two Rover models including the 75 which it sells under the name Roewe.

MG Launches Rover 75 Based 7 Series In China

The former British built MG-ZT (sporty version of the BMW Groupe developed, Rover 75) has been officially launched in China as the MG 7 Series or, just MG7 for short. The models introduced to the Chinese market include three 160Hp 1.8-litre Turbo variants of the MG 7, and a flagship version, the MG7L which is equipped with a 2.5-litre V6 240 Hp powerplant. If you’re wondering what the “L” stands for, the MG7L is 200 mm longer than the standard MG7. Nanjing MG, who acquired the rights to build the car, said that in China, prices for the MG7 range from £12,600 to £22,260 ($25,500 to 45,700 or €18,000 to 32,400). -Continued after the jump

Commenting on the introduction of the MG 7, Nanjing MG’s sales director Yang Junhu said: “We are bringing British automotive culture to our country. Until now no other car from a British marque has been manufactured and sold in China. Today customers are becoming more demanding in terms of their requirements which we will be able to satisfy thanks to the different variants of the MG7.”

Nanjing Auto Announces Deal To Revive Austin Healey & Healey Brands

In a surprise move, Nanjing Auto announced that it has reached an agreement with Healey Automobile Consultants Ltd and HFI Automotive Ltd to join forces for the future development of the Healey and Austin-Healey brands and sports cars bearing their name. The Chinese car manufacture, which acquired the assets of MG Rover in July 2005, said in a statement that the deal with the Anglo-American consortium would put an end to long-standing issues about ownership of the brands and trade marks and expand opportunities for joint trade between the companies.

Last year, HFI had announced its plans to present a high performance sportscar with the DNA of a Healey 3000 - in convertible and coupe derivatives, as well as a modern affordable replacement for the Healey Sprite. However, apart from a promising sketch (picture above) we hadn't seen or heard anything since up until now. Judging from Nanjing’s latest moves and especially with the re-opening of the MG’s Longbridge plant in May, we’d say that an all-new Austin Healey 3000 could very well be round the corner.

Nanjing Restarts MG Production In The U.K.

A couple of months after Nanjing presented the first Chinese built MG sport cars and sedans back in March and the British carmaker’s new owner announced that it’ll end the Longbridge plant's two-year production hiatus with the assembly of the first MG TFs on May 29. It should be noted that Nanjing Auto doesn’t specify whether they’ll fully build the TFs in Longbridge or just assemble the roadster with kits from China. We remind you that, in 2005, MG Rover was split in half, with Nanjing Auto taking control of MG and rival SAIC acquiring the rights to build (but not to name), Rover models. Sales of MG models are expected to start in Europe in the second half of the year. Via: Reuters

It’s Alive! First Chinese built MG’s roll off the production line

What a glorious day for all ya gearheads: Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC) announced that that first Chinese built MG’s have rolled off the production line!!! We hope you know what that means –seriously now, cause we’re kinda left speechless with all this excitement that the news brought us…

Well, I supposed I should say a thing or two about NAC MG. The latter obtain the rights to build MG models in 2005 while rival Chinese car maker SAIC, acquired the rights Rover models. So you don’t get confused, where talking about the same cars; apart from the TF, the MG nameplate was used for the sporty versions of Rovers. According to NAC, the MG range will include the MG7 sedan (Rover 75 based), the MG TF mid-engined roadster plus and a still unidentified, third model. NAC MG will develop two bases; one in Nanjing and the other in Longbridge, Birmingham, UK. The UK will be the centre for R&D and also the base for production of high-end value-adding products, while China will be the production centre and responsible for developing the domestic and overseas markets. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the press release

PRESS RELEASE: NAC MG celebrates the birth of China’s first international car brand

• NAC MG inaugurates new state of the art production facility
• First cars roll off line

On 27 March 2007, after a period of huge anticipation, MG - China’s first international car brand - will reveal its strength to an eager public.

This day will symbolise a milestone in Chinese automobile manufacturing. NAC MG is inaugurating its state of the art production line while celebrating the launch of China’s first international car brand which inherits all the British traditions synonymous with MG.

The celebrations to mark the first car off the line have attracted leaders from the JiangSu provincial government, NanJing CCP committee and the NanJing municipal government, while British VIPs including a Member of Parliament will also attend the celebrations. Nearly 1,000 visitors will attend, including MG’s global suppliers, distributors, partners, Chinese and non-Chinese consultants and the world’s media. All have gathered together to enjoy this significant moment which will witness the first Chinese built MG roll off the production line.

The MG plant is the world’s largest single power assembly line making the world’s widest range of associated products. The Chinese built, fully automated welding and assembly line guarantees the simultaneous production of multiple models and also incorporates modern production equipment brought over from the UK. Three new Chinese built MG models will be seen for the first time at the event, witnessed by nearly one thousand guests.

The new MG models include the MG7 series and the MG TF sports car. The luxurious and elegant MG7 series will appeal to China’s middle and high-end car market sectors, while the first Chinese made sports car - the MG TF - incorporates many high technology features. A true sports car, the TF is a high performance model with outstanding handling characteristics and dynamic good looks, very much in keeping with its British sports car heritage. The new MG cars demonstrate world class levels of construction, quality and technology.

The official ‘off the line’ celebration of NAC MG car production not only symbolises the full launch of this new international Chinese brand but also marks a new age of development for the Chinese automobile industry. Chairman HaoLiang Wang says of the event: “The purpose of the MG project is to create a brand-new self-dependent Chinese brand which has the advantage of already being recognised as an internationally well respected brand. From the outset, this was an advanced project that has delivered competitive and technologically advanced products. The project is hugely different from the traditional joint ventures and the purely domestic products of the Chinese automobile industry. NAC has adopted the third development model which in essence brings a truly international brand to the market led by a Chinese enterprise. This is a true innovation. The brand’s core competence is to incorporate international standards of development, production and quality control with world class marketing and know-how.”

In recent years, the Chinese automobile industry has made great improvements and has become the third largest car manufacturing and consumer market in the world. However, compared with world’s top level automobile manufacturers, the Chinese auto industry lacks certain competitive advantages. The auto industry has become the fifth largest industry in China and huge emphasis is now being focused on how the country can further improve its competitiveness and become a major power in the world’s automotive industry.

During “the 11th Five-Year Plan” period, CCP implemented a plan to enhance creativity as one of the key strategies for developing Chinese society and industry. The key strategic decision of “going out” was a change from the established macro economic development of the country. The “third development model” of the Chinese automotive industry, adopted by NAC-MG, clearly demonstrates the proactive implementation of these two great strategies. According to NAC-MG Chairman, Mr Jian Wei Yu, to accomplish this strategic concept, MG will develop two bases; one in Nanjing and the other in Longbridge, Birmingham, UK. The UK will be the centre for R&D and also the base for production of high-end value-adding products, while China will be the production centre and responsible for developing the domestic and overseas markets. In China, NAC MG will focus on achieving cost control and developing core competences for sustainable growth.

Since NAC’s successful acquisition of the assets of MG Rover and Powertrain in July 2005, NAC-MG has mastered MG’s core technologies within only one year and has made a range of accomplishments including the export of the first batch of parts to Europe, production of the first N4 engine as well as the first MG7 and MG TF cars. Following the beginning of the project, NAC MG took an unprecedented and innovative route, creating twelve “firsts” in China: from owning the first ‘world renowned’ car brand to being the first Chinese car company recognised by the international automotive industry. NAC MG is also the first Chinese car manufacturer to introduce European environmental standards, the first enterprise to simultaneously establish production bases domestically and overseas and the first Chinese enterprise to get world class core technologies.

The first MG model ‘off the line’ not only demonstrates the successful implementation of the MG project - renowned as the number one industrial project for NanJing city, but also symbolises a key transformation point for the Chinese automobile industry. Through the brand strength, the assurance of quality and the use of technology and world class manufacturing techniques, MG is entering the international top league and will create the drive for Chinese automobile products to speed up their pace in the international market. NAC MG has created a true high-end international car brand led by the Chinese and will lead the way for the establishment of the truly international automotive firms.

About Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation (NAC)
In July 2005, NAC successfully purchased parts of MG as part of an international strategy and also established two companies in the UK, Nanjing Automobile Corporation (UK) Limited and NAC MG Limited. After its successful acquisition of MG assets in 2005, NAC has gained a higher status in the automotive industry, and support from Chinese government, the Jiangsu provincial government as well as Nanjing civic government.

NAC’s mission is to “revive, maintain and develop MG” for the benefit of both Chinese and global consumers, and plans to produce and sell MG cars in the UK as well as in China. NAC has undertaken to “carve out, innovate, strive to be the best and create an iconic brand” with MG.

MG Timeline of Events

• 22 July 2005: NAC acquired the assets of the MG Rover Group and Powertrain Ltd.
• 10 March 2006: NAC-MG project was approved by China’s National
• Development and Reform Commission.
• 27 March 2006: NAC-MG Project’s grand foundation stone was laid in Nanjing Pukou New & High Technology Industry Development Zone.
• 6 June 2006: NAC-MG Project’s first batch of car parts was exported to Europe.
• 22 June 2006: The NAC Institute of Automobile Engineering was established.
• 23 July 2006: NAC MG UK joined the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT), and became the first Chinese member in their one hundred year history.
• 17 July 2006: NAC held a media event in London UK to announce MG cars’ global strategy.
• 15 August 2006: MG’s first dealer recruitment event was launched in China.
• In August 2006, MG’s second batch of parts was exported to Europe.
• 22 August 2006: NAC was recognised as one of China’s first car exportation bases by Ministry of Commerce of People’s Republic of China and National Development and Reform Commission.
• In August 2006, MG was appraised by Boston Consulting Group as one of the 100 potential companies to be trans-national groups and was granted the title of “New Global Challenger”.
• 13 September 2006: NAC and the Export-Import Bank of China signed the framework in London for the loan agreement for the NAC MG UK Project, so as to support the growth of MG’s UK business and the implementation of its global strategy.
• 26 September 2006: MG Powertrain was established, using the same name of the internationally recognised brand established by MG Rover
• 13 October 2006: NAC-MG project signed a supply agreement with renowned British car parts supplier Stadco. The implementation of a global sourcing plan for MG’s overseas projects, and optimised resource portfolio strategy began to accelerate.
• 8 December 2006: The Export-Import Bank of China endorsed a 500 million RMB loan to support the MG project. The MG project gained significant support from Chinese government.
• 28 December 2006: The first MG K V6 2.5L aluminium engines came off the production line at the production facilities in Pukou, Nanjing. The first test was successful and results showed that these engines were superior to those of all the V6 engines made in China. MG now produced world class engines for mid and high grade cars.
• 8 January 2007: In a¡¡meeting of MG’s suppliers, MG declared that it would produce MG cars to the highest international standards.
• 26 January 2007: MG Rover signed a contract with NEC, one of the world’s top 500 companies. They will collaborate in building BCS production information control systems, thereby introducing the concepts of production facilitation and cost control.
• 30 January 2007: MG held a brand event named “Heartbeat from England” to disclose the new MG brand proposition and the brand new slogan “raise your heartbeat”.
• 12 Febuary 2007:, The British Ambassador to the People's Republic of China (Sir William Ehrman, and British Consul General Shanghai, Carma Elliot OBE, visited NAC-MG’s production base located in the Nanjing New & High Technology Industry Development Zone.
• 27 March 2007: First MG cars to roll off the production line at the Nanjing Pukou production facility. This signals the important development of the first international car brand in China.

Technorati: NAC+MG, MG+Rover, China, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Ford buys Rover nameplate

"We feel it is in interests of our Land Rover business to have the Rover brand. We are acquiring it and we're not looking to sell it. We believe it is a valuable asset for us"

That's what a Ford spokesman told Reuters concerning the company's decision to exercise its right to buy the Rover brand name from BMW. What the spokesman didn't say is that Ford was "scared to death" when it heard that Chinese automakers SAIC and Nanjing (they have both brought the rights to manufacture former MG Rover models), where in contact with BMW to buy the Rover nameplate. Why? Well, imagine a Chinese made Rover SUV reminiscent of a Land Rover model...

Technorati Tags: Ford, Land+Rover, SAIC, Nanjing, PAG, Rover, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles,

BMW reaches an agreement to sell the "Rover" brand name

According to a report from Automotive News, BMW has reached an agreement to sell the rights of the Rover brand name. Although there has been no leak concerning the company's name, it is speculated that the main candidates are two Chinese automakers, both of whom are under state control (!). Nanjing Automobile which acquired MG Rover assets and the sportscar brand MG, and Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) owner of design rights to two Rover models including the 75

The newspaper states that a spokesman for BMW confirmed a report in the German financial daily newspaper, Handelsblatt stating, "A binding agreement was made".

Although it seems like a done deal, BMW will need to obtain Ford's consent due to legal issues as the latter owns Land Rover -acquired from the BMW Group a few years ago. Basically, this means that Ford will give its consent only if the future owner of Rover's name strictly avoids any conspicuous connections with SUV vehicles.

I think that Ford should be very, very, very cautious with this one. Can you imagine the surprise on the face of a Ford's Group manager if he sees a Rover LT3 or a Rover Sport in the 2007 Shanghai Motor Show ?

Technorati: Rover, BMW, Nanjing+Automobile, MG+Rover, Shanghai+Automotive, SAIC, autos, auto+news, vehicles, cars, automotive