Shanghai 2009: Roewe MG6 may bring Rover back to UK in big way
by John Neff on Apr 20th 2009 at 3:41PM 
Roewe MG6 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Nevermind the sordid tale that led us to the point where a Chinese automaker debuts a new model for a storied British brand. Instead, just look at the Roewe MG6 and know that things seem to be working out. Based on the unassuming Roewe 550 sedan, which itself is based on a shortened version of the old Rover 75, the MG6 Turbo is a four-door fastback that will likely make its way to England as the first new model from the Chinese-owned automaker. The styling is reminiscent of the Lexus GS with an angular front end that highlights the big MG badge. Its sharp, attractive and more Euro-looking that in its Asian design roots might suggest.
While Rovers will never be called Rovers again thanks to SAIC failing to secure the naming rights when it purchased England's most famous failed automaker, the MG6 proves they aren't wasting the platforms.
Gallery: Shanghai 2009: MG 6
[Source: Autoblog Chinese]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Taglane 3:45PM (4/20/2009)
Dash has a BMW feel to it.Not offensive, but it's a little obvious. The rest is really good. Have the Chinese learned how to design original cars this year?
looks like it
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Auari 3:52PM (4/20/2009)
I think MG is British not Chinese,
Biomech 3:55PM (4/20/2009)
@Auari: MG was originally British but they were bought by Nanjing Automobile in 2005.
Taglane 3:57PM (4/20/2009)
I kinda consider it Chinese, since it's owned by SAIC.
Or am I wrong...
Auari 3:58PM (4/20/2009)
interesting... thanks Biomech
BoxerFanatic 4:02PM (4/20/2009)
MG Rover was bought out by SIAC, and now MG/Rover is a Chinese owned company. No longer British.
On the main topic:
With the fall in styling of the '10 Legacy... I have a hard time looking at it, and so am looking at other vehicles for future consideration... Just out of curiousity.
I have some exposure to classic MGs, and I like them. I tend to like british cars, but again, this is not a british car, merely a formerly british badge. I realize they probably won't make it state-side, but it isn't completely unreasonable.
I like turbos. I really like fastback hatchbacks, with two or four side doors along with them.
But I don't like communist governments, and I don't like disrespect of intellectual property as a widespread phenomenon. I don't have a problem with chinese people at all. I just don't support what the pseudo communist government, and the businesses that are controlled by it.
So as much as I want to like the bodystyle, and as much as I want to like the nameplate, I don't like the source.
But then again, I won't buy a GM car while the US government has it's ever-more-meddlesome mitts in the mix, either, and while they build cars with unaccountable technology, like black boxes, and un-monitored cellular connectivity with OnStar.
I may be a little particular about it, but that is my prerogative, for now.
Bloke 4:24PM (4/20/2009)
"MG Rover was bought out by SIAC, and now MG/Rover is a Chinese owned company. No longer British." - BoxerFanatic
MG Rover as a company was not bought by the Chinese. MG Rover (the company) went bankrupt and was liquidated in 2006. SAIC bought various assets of Rover following its partnership with the company - but not the rights to the Rover name which are owned by Ford - while Nanjing bought the rights to the MG name. SAIC used the Roewe name when it resurrected the 75, while MG badged versions were used as a part of a deal between SAIC and Nanjing. Nanjing are now part of SAIC.
Neither MG or Roewe are actual companies, but merely brand names owned by SAIC at this juncture. However, Nanjing Motor - itself now a subsidiary of SAIC - set up a British subsidiary company, MG Motor UK Ltd, to produce MG models at Longbridge.
Bloke 4:27PM (4/20/2009)
"I have some exposure to classic MGs, and I like them. I tend to like british cars, but again, this is not a british car, merely a formerly british badge."
Technically it is a British car underneath, using the Rover RDX60 platform, the stillborn JV with SAIC. That platform was developed at Longbridge.
BoxerFanatic 4:37PM (4/20/2009)
@Bloke,
Then I guess I am a dual Swiss and German citizen, since my ancestors came from there, well before the world wars. Nope. I am an American, because that is where I was born, and where I still live.
The fact is, these cars are designed and built in China, by chinese companies, with badge names that they actually now own.
That means they aren't British anymore. Even if my recall of the intricacies of the sale procedure aren't 110%, they still aren't built in British factories by British workers for British companies under their registered trade names.
Chances are, most people working on building this MG6, probably have no idea where Morris Garages was. Most may not even know that is what MG stands for.
Yago Bal 6:34PM (4/20/2009)
Actually these cars are not designed by chinese, but by british Ricardo engineers... then again, part of Ricardo was bought by SAIC, so... it's not easy to crack this one.
Bloke 6:56PM (4/20/2009)
"Then I guess I am a dual Swiss and German citizen, since my ancestors came from there, well before the world wars. Nope. I am an American, because that is where I was born, and where I still live." - BoxerFanatic
We're not talking about genealogy. We're talking about corporate domicile legalities. Do you know the difference?
"The fact is, these cars are designed and built in China, by chinese companies, with badge names that they actually now own." - BoxerFanatic
The Roewe 550 is the production version of the stillborn RDX60 prototype. When MGR went bankrupt, several working prototypes had been built. When SAIC bought the remaining assets from Rover, it also bought the rights to the platform which MGR had developed with SAIC.
"That means they aren't British anymore. Even if my recall of the intricacies of the sale procedure aren't 110%, they still aren't built in British factories by British workers for British companies under their registered trade names."
I've explained the situation to you. MGR was not bought by the Chinese; the company was dissolved. SAIC and Nanjing are Chinese companies; Nanjing set up a British subsidiary company (MG Motor UK Ltd) after it became part of SAIC. That company will be responsible for manufacturing the MGTF (already in production), as well as the MG6 (likely), in the UK for the European market.
"Chances are, most people working on building this MG6, probably have no idea where Morris Garages was. Most may not even know that is what MG stands for."
Chances are, most people on Autoblog don't even know that the original MG was simply a re-tuned Austin. However, when it comes to what people know and what they don't know more specifically, there's plenty to point at on Autoblog rather than within the factories of Nanjing Automobile.
The Luigiian 3:52PM (4/20/2009)
Looks good. Does the badge light up?
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The Luigiian 5:19PM (4/20/2009)
No, no it doesn't. I was thinking of a Wolseley. My mistake. ( _ _)
Biomech 3:54PM (4/20/2009)
I like this, almost a Scion feel to it. Finally something good!
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izorro 3:57PM (4/20/2009)
I like the emphasis on the Badge draws your attention.
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Protzenegger 4:13PM (4/20/2009)
Wheels look a bit small, but that's probably because of the camera distortion owing to China's notoriously cramped display stands.
Another solid effort by MG/Roewe. I approve.
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Mike 4:23PM (4/20/2009)
This is going to seem all too familiar in 10 years....
A Chinese company that owns a familiar UK (insert US) brand makes an announcement at an auto shown in Shanghai about their new product for the UK (US) market. The UK (US) auto industry is a shell of its former self and the auto show in London (Detroit) attracts a fraction of the media as Shanghai's.
If you want to say I sound "protectionist", go ahead, but China is on path to gobble up our entire manufacturing sector over the next 20 years.
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asng15 12:28AM (4/21/2009)
is coming soon
JZeke 4:48PM (4/20/2009)
Shame Subaru's don't look this good...
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BoxerFanatic 6:17PM (4/20/2009)
+1000.
If the Impreza sedan, or the Legacy looked like this, with the fastback 5-door (no WAY that tiny trunk is all that opens, the glass opens all the way to the roof.)
And subaru turbo AWD hardware underneath... I would be figuring out how to trade mine in for a new Subaru.