Many speculated that this day would never come, but after six long and expensive months of equipping assembly lines and performing tests, Nanjing Automobile has produced its first MG.
Against a backdrop displaying pictures of Buckingham Palace and the Tower Bridge, the "new" ("new" as in the same design as three years ago) MG7 sedan and MG-TF sports car were unveiled at the plant. These two models will form the basis of some 200,000 vehicles expected to be produced at the manufacturing center each year, with the majority being sold inside the country.
Nanjing Automobile has every intention of trying to export these "new" vehicles abroad, but with prices ranging between $23,300 and $51,700, we doubt we'll see any gleaming TFs on U.S. shores anytime soon.
Thanks for the tip, Ed!
[Source: BBC News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jgp @ Mar 27th 2007 10:53AM
Shame to see a British icon now under communist production.
Proud Japanese @ Mar 27th 2007 11:02AM
@jgp: a lot things are now under chinese production. Perhaps you should check around your house?
Craig @ Mar 27th 2007 12:43PM
Also, check your Porsche Cayman block, made in China I believe.
David @ Mar 27th 2007 1:22PM
You doubt you will see any TF's on US shores anytime soon? Nanjing/MG is readying a manufacturing plant and RD in Oklahoma. They intend to be up and running in 2008:
"Nanjing Auto also plans to build some MGs at Britain's Longbridge factory for the European market.
And the firm plans to start producing MGs for the US market in Ardmore, southern Oklahoma, next year." From the BBC.
Mike @ Mar 27th 2007 1:40PM
Ha ha no kidding, it's also a shame to see so many American iconic brands being made overseas and watching our economy spiral. Thank you government! If the proposed 27.5% tariff on Chinese goods doesn't pass you can wave bye bye to American economic supremacy as we know it.
Stephen @ Mar 27th 2007 3:07PM
I hope they won't actually cost that much
Rocket Punch @ Mar 27th 2007 4:30PM
Ha ha ha! jpg NEVER uses anything made in China I am sure. He basically lives in a cave, naked.
MG is a British Icon of bad quality and break downs. I am sure they are very proud of that.
Don @ Mar 27th 2007 4:47PM
The Chinese can call that an MG...but it ain't no MG.
DanMan @ Mar 27th 2007 6:55PM
You're right Don. If it doesn't burst into flames or self-destruct in the first 50,000 miles it ain't no MG.
andreas petre @ Mar 28th 2007 4:18AM
The way things are going, GM, Ford and Chrysler will soon be produced in China as well..
Gene @ Apr 6th 2007 1:30PM
That was Fords that blew up. Remember the Pinto? Hit it and its rear end blew up. What would you expect from a car named after a bean.
If you maintain MGs, i.e. tune ups and oil changes, they run just fine. MGs were a tinkering toy. Zen and art of MG maintenance was an art form.
I wonder if the models made in China will pollute just like all of China's cars.