Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Production lines halted at MG's Longbridge plant. This is not a repeat from 2005.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/report-production-lines-halted-at-mgs-longbridge-plant-this-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It is a travesty that the initials "MG" are coming to be a convenient epithet for the term "woe." The British sportscar maker has had an exceedingly trying history recently, and things haven't got any better with word that its owner, MG Motor UK Ltd. (which is really Nanjing Automobile Corporation), is reportedly closing the company's Longbridge plant.

Production of the MG TF was back in order early last year, but economic turbulence made the factory's fortunes equally bumpy. It hasn't helped that the last couple of special editions the company has put out, the MGTF LE500 and the 85th Anniversary MGTF, haven't been so well received. MG Motor said it couldn't guarantee stability and now, 2009 production has ceased. There were rumors of a new 2010 MG model coming out... but that was a long time ago, and things have lately been as quiet as the now-shuttered Longbridge factory.

[Source: BBC]

REPORT: Production lines halted at MG's Longbridge plant. This is not a repeat from 2005. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainconvertiblelongbridgemanufacturingmgmgtfnacNanjingperformanceplantssportsukTue, 06 Oct 2009 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[What's in a Name? Nanjing removes name from MG division]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/whats-in-a-name-nanjing-removes-name-from-mg-division/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/whats-in-a-name-nanjing-removes-name-from-mg-division/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/20/whats-in-a-name-nanjing-removes-name-from-mg-division/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Is a British automaker still British if it's foreign owned? This is an increasingly relevant question, as England's biggest car brands have been gobbled up by foreign concerns. Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by India's Tata, Aston Martin by a group of Kuwaiti investors, Bentley is part of the Volkswagen Group, Rolls-Royce under the BMW umbrella, and Lotus is owned by Malaysian state automaker Proton. This leaves the LTI taxi cab company as the largest independent, self-owned British automaker. Even MG was sold, together with Rover, to China's Nanjing Automobile Corporation nearly four years ago. But a recent change in nomenclature apparently seeks to minimize that impression.

MG has been operated over the past several years as NAC MG UK Ltd, including on its masthead the name of its parent company. Nanjing has decided to change that, however, renaming its British subsidiary as MG Motor UK Ltd. Will that change the notion that Britain's favorite roadster company is owned by the Chinese? Not one bit, but who knows, maybe some will be fooled.

[Source: Autocar]

What's in a Name? Nanjing removes name from MG division originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mgmg motor uk ltdMgMotorUkLtdnacnac mgnac roewenac roverNacMgNacRoeweNacRovernanjingTue, 20 Jan 2009 19:39:00 EST<![CDATA[MG hatchback pictures surface]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/mg-hatchback-pictures-surface/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/mg-hatchback-pictures-surface/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/13/mg-hatchback-pictures-surface/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Nanjing is still hanging IV bags on the battered carcass of MG, and there's a new hatchback model coming for 2010 that the automaker hopes will breathe new life into the the brand. Based on SAIC's Roewe 550, the new hatchback is about the size of a Euro Focus, and will reportedly be built at the historical MG home of Longbridge, in the UK. The car looks a little flashier than the Roewe version, and engineers from Ricardo are lending development expertise to make sure the suspension settings are all that they should be. Inside, there's a BMW-esque instrument panel, and underhood will be a 1.8-liter four cylinder, either naturally aspirated or turbocharged. With the flurry of new activity at MG -- there's the MG TF and ZS, as well as more models coming soon -- color may be returning to the cheeks of a brand once thought as good as dead.

[Source: Auto Express]

MG hatchback pictures surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>longbridgemg hatchbackmg nanjingmg tfmg zsMgHatchbackMgNanjingMgTfMgZsnanjingnanjing autonanjing automobilenanjing automotivenanjing mgNanjingAutonanjingautomobileNanjingAutomotiveNanjingMgThu, 13 Nov 2008 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[China's SAIC to revive historic Longbridge UK plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/chinas-saic-to-revive-historic-longbridge-uk-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/chinas-saic-to-revive-historic-longbridge-uk-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/chinas-saic-to-revive-historic-longbridge-uk-plant/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MG's former Longbridge, UK headquarters has been pretty quiet since production ceased in 2005. Newly-merged owners SAIC and Nanjing want the clatter of carbuilding to once again echo through the plant and plan to base their European and overseas operations there. The plant itself has the capability to build up to three different models; the challenge is deciding which of the former rival's products to build there. MG TF roadsters will likely lead the charge, with cars due at retail locations by March 1st. MG Rover holdovers could return to their roots if SAIC/Nanjing decide to build the MG 3 and MG 7, while the newly deisgned Roewe W2, pictured above, looks like a solid possibility, as well. In addition to manufacturing, R&D and sales efforts will also be strengthened. From the sound of things, it won't be long before Longbridge is once again turning out cars (some of the same cars, even) at a healthy clip.


[Source: Auto News - sub req]

China's SAIC to revive historic Longbridge UK plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britishchinaenglandlongbridgemanufacturingmergedmergermgnanjingproductionroeweroversaicsports carSportsCarukTue, 08 Jan 2008 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Business as Usual: Nanjing will continue building Fiats post-divorce]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/31/business-as-usual-nanjing-will-continue-building-fiats-post-div/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/31/business-as-usual-nanjing-will-continue-building-fiats-post-div/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/31/business-as-usual-nanjing-will-continue-building-fiats-post-div/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Fiat and Nanjing may have divorced their marriage on passenger cars, but that shouldn't affect their offspring. Following Fiat's withdrawal from its joint venture with the Chinese automaker, production of three current Fiat models at the Nanjing plant is expected to continue.

With demand for the Sino-Italian cars slowly dwindling, Nanjing Fiat Auto was expected to continue production in the short term only to satisfy orders placed, and the manufacturing of spare parts to support the service of the cars already sold will also continue for years to come. However, recent reports indicate that as part of its divorce with Fiat, Nanjing acquired the rights to continue building the Palio Weekend wagon, Siena sedan and Perla (a larger sedan having been developed in China and based on the Siena platform) under a different badge. Component suppliers in China report that they have received no cancellation on shipments to the assembly plant, so they're expecting to continue on with business as usual.

[Source: Automotive News Europe (sub. req'd) via Italiaspeed]

Business as Usual: Nanjing will continue building Fiats post-divorce originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>continuefiatjoint ventureJointVenturenanjingperlaproductionsaicshanghaiMon, 31 Dec 2007 18:18:00 EST<![CDATA[SAIC buys Nanjing, finally gets MG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/what-goes-around-comes-around-saic-buys-nanjing-finally-gets/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/what-goes-around-comes-around-saic-buys-nanjing-finally-gets/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/what-goes-around-comes-around-saic-buys-nanjing-finally-gets/#commentsFiled under: ,



The twisted saga of MG's resurrection from the ashes at the hands of Chinese automakers has come full circle. Last year both SAIC Motor Corp. and Nanjing Automobile Corp. fought tooth and nail for the right to build MGs in England, and Nanjing, the smaller of the two automakers by far, won. Since then the Chinese automaker has been trying to begin production of a new MG roadster at the company's plant in Longbridge, England. SAIC, meanwhile, accepted the defeat and instead purchased some MG production equipment and began building Rover sedans in China under the Roewe name (Ford had cleverly exercised its option to purchase the Rover name from BMW, which meant that SAIC had to name its Rover sedans something else).

SAIC has gotten the last laugh, however, with its recent purchase of Nanjing. Nanjing bought Rover for an estimated $100 million back in 2005, while SAIC reportedly has agreed to pay around $1.9 billion for Nanjing.This means that everything SAIC lost out on in the bidding war over MG it has gained by acquiring Nanjing. Most importantly, this includes the Longbridge production facility. SAIC already has an R&D center in Britain, which it will consolidate with the Longbridge facility and use to begin production of vehicles in Europe. The automaker claims production of the MG roadster, as well as other MG models, will begin soon, though SAIC can also use those facilities for development and production of new vehicles for the European market sold under its own name. Why is MG so darn important to these Chinese automakers? As an established European brand with some street cred, MG is a small company that offers the Chinese an easy way into the lucrative European market. Perhaps instead of Rovers, we'll soon see Roewe sedans on the streets of London.

[Source: Reuters]

SAIC buys Nanjing, finally gets MG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LongbridgeMGNanjingRoeweRoverSAICThu, 27 Dec 2007 12:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Post-merger, Fiat ditches Nanjing joint venture]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/post-merger-fiat-ditches-nanjing-joint-venture/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/post-merger-fiat-ditches-nanjing-joint-venture/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/27/post-merger-fiat-ditches-nanjing-joint-venture/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Hot on the heels of Nanjing Auto's merger with SAIC, Fiat has announced it has pulled out of the automotive joint venture it had embarked upon with Nanjing.

The Sino-Italian operation had been a money-losing enterprise for years. Fiat says that Nanjing failed to live up to its commitments to the joint venture after the Chinese auto group took over MG Rover, and that the divorce will enable the Italian automaker to re-strategize its business in China. Fiat is expected to partner instead with Chery Automobiles, which just announced another joint venture with Israel Corp. Fiat and Chery are in the process of setting up another joint venture to produce 175,000 cars annually starting in 2009, and leading to the introduction of Fiat Group division Alfa Romeo to the Chinese market.

The separation affects only the cooperation between Fiat and Nanjing on the production of passenger cars, and doesn't have any bearing on Fiat's truck-building division, Iveco, which cooperates with Nanjing to build vans and with Nanjing's new parent company SAIC on trucks, the two relationships will continue unhindered.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Post-merger, Fiat ditches Nanjing joint venture originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinadivorcefiatjoint ventureJointVenturejvmanufacturemergernanjingpulls outPullsOutsaicThu, 27 Dec 2007 08:03:00 EST<![CDATA[SAIC and Nanjing merge to form mega Chinese auto group]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/saic-and-nanjing-merge-to-form-mega-chinese-auto-group/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/saic-and-nanjing-merge-to-form-mega-chinese-auto-group/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/26/saic-and-nanjing-merge-to-form-mega-chinese-auto-group/#commentsFiled under: ,

Industry analysts widely agree that one of the principal factors preventing Chinese automakers from succeeding outside of China is the local industry's fragmentation, with over 100 automakers vying for their slice of the proverbial pie. However, a merger announced Wednesday between two major Chinese automakers, Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corp (SAIC) and Nanjing Automotive Group, stands a stronger chance of succeeding in the international car market as a larger group.

The merger, which has been long anticipated, involves SAIC paying $285.7 million for Nanjing. In return, Nanjing's parent company acquires 4.9 percent of SAIC Motor Corp.

The products of SAIC's joint ventures with GM and Volkswagen Group account for 14% of the domestic market in China, selling 1.25 million vehicles in the first ten months of 2007. Nanjing, meanwhile, sold less than 80,000 over the same period, making the acquisition a merger in the same sense as Mercedes had "merged" with Chrysler. Nanjing, however, owns MG Rover, whose plants in England SAIC hopes to use as a foothold into the European market.

[Source: Automotive News - subscription required]

SAIC and Nanjing merge to form mega Chinese auto group originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionautochinachinesegroupmergermgnanjingroversaicshanghaiWed, 26 Dec 2007 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Shacking up - Nanjing and SAIC form partnership]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/shacking-up-nanjing-and-saic-form-partnership/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/shacking-up-nanjing-and-saic-form-partnership/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/shacking-up-nanjing-and-saic-form-partnership/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Instead of beating each other's brains out and assuring that nobody wins, SAIC and Nanjing have decided to stand close to each other on the playground. While they may still avoid eye contact and kick pebbles instead of developing a friendship, they will be carrying out what they're terming a "comprehensive collaboration." Design, production and sales efforts will be pooled in an effort to make China's automakers competitive with outsiders like General Motors and Volkswagen, who currently dominate China's vehicle market. The weekend announcement of the effort was mum on a merger, but did mention an asset swap as the two state-controlled businesses go forward splitting resources. At the very least, it seems like the cooperative effort will quell the bickering over the carved up carcass of Rover Cars.

[Source: Detroit News]

Shacking up - Nanjing and SAIC form partnership originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacollaborationjointmgnanjingpartnerroversaicteamTue, 31 Jul 2007 08:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Nanjing turns the lights back on at MG's Longbridge, UK plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/nanjing-turns-the-lights-back-on-at-mgs-longbridge-uk-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/nanjing-turns-the-lights-back-on-at-mgs-longbridge-uk-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/nanjing-turns-the-lights-back-on-at-mgs-longbridge-uk-plant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It appears that despite the incredulous whining and snarky commentary about Britain's MG being purchased by Nanjing and renamed Modern Gentleman, the Jiangsu, China based automaker has the best interests of MG in mind. They've been exceptionally careful stewards so far, quickly ramping up production in a huge, modern facility in China so that MGs could once again roll off the assembly line for the 60th anniversary of the brand. The familial MG homestead in Longbridge, UK has been reinvigorated as the UK and European headquarters for NAC MG. Cars will once again be manufactured in Longbridge, and the location will also play a role in R&D, engineering, workforce recruiting and of course, sales. Not only has the move garnered goodwill for the Chinese parent company, it shows that they're committed to MG and have a long term plan in mind.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: NAC]

Continue reading Nanjing turns the lights back on at MG's Longbridge, UK plant

Nanjing turns the lights back on at MG's Longbridge, UK plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2007 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainbritishchinaenglandenglisheuropelongbridgemanufacturingmgmg tfMgTfmorris garagesMorrisGaragesnanjingsports carSportsCartfukWed, 30 May 2007 08:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Nanjing Automotive has a plan - a new MG sports car is coming]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/nanjing-automotive-has-a-plan-a-new-mg-sports-car-is-coming/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/nanjing-automotive-has-a-plan-a-new-mg-sports-car-is-coming/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/16/nanjing-automotive-has-a-plan-a-new-mg-sports-car-is-coming/#commentsFiled under: , ,



According to an article in the Financial Times, Nanjing Automotive Corporation, the Chinese owners of MG, are currently developing a new sports car that should be released sometime in 2009.

A Nanjing exec is quoted as saying that a new, "very good sports car that would fit in with the brand" is coming, although no further details were released.

This new sports car will likely be produced at MG's Longbridge plant, however, more expensive parts, including engines and transmissions would be shipped out from China.

With the first TFs expected to be produced in the next few months, it seems that MG's new masters are finally on their way to making good on their plans, and with two new models, in addition to this new coupe on the horizon, the automaker finally has a shot at rising from the ashes.

[Source: Financial Times via Motor Authority]

Nanjing Automotive has a plan - a new MG sports car is coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coupefinancial timesFinancialTimesmgnanjingsports carSportsCarMon, 16 Apr 2007 02:38:00 EST<![CDATA[The first Chinese-built MG rolls off the line]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/27/the-first-chinese-built-mg-rolls-off-the-line/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/27/the-first-chinese-built-mg-rolls-off-the-line/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/27/the-first-chinese-built-mg-rolls-off-the-line/#commentsFiled under:



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]

The first Chinese-built MG rolls off the line originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mgmg-tfmg7nanjingnanjing automobileNanjingAutomobileTue, 27 Mar 2007 10:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Nanjing nearly ready to restart MG production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/nanjing-nearly-ready-to-restart-mg-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/nanjing-nearly-ready-to-restart-mg-production/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/30/nanjing-nearly-ready-to-restart-mg-production/#commentsFiled under: ,

For those awaiting the return of the Modern Gentleman, your wait is nearly over if you live somewhere other than the U.S. New owners of the MG name and much of the defunct automaker's production equipment, Nanjing Automobile Group, have announced that production of cars based on the old MG TF roadster will begin in China as soon as March of this year, while low volume production of right-hand drive models will begin at the automaker's old Longbridge assembly plant in April or May. The Chinese plant located in Pukou, Nanjing Province will handle the bulk of production, which is pegged at 6,000 units annually, though any right-hand drive orders will get their final assembly in Longbridge. Unfortunately, Nanjing has been mum on the prospects of selling MG-branded vehicles in the States again since the possibility was mentioned back in July of last year.

[Source: Just-auto]

Nanjing nearly ready to restart MG production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LongbridgeMGmodern gentlemanModernGentlemanNanjingTue, 30 Jan 2007 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[MG now known as Modern Gentleman]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/10/mg-now-known-as-modern-gentleman/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/10/mg-now-known-as-modern-gentleman/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/10/mg-now-known-as-modern-gentleman/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It sounds to us like the kind of men's magazine you see at the supermarket. You know the one, the impossibly buffed-up guy on the cover touting a workout that only takes 2 minutes and will make you as solid as an oak tree. Whatever. Modern Gentleman? It sounds too genteel for its own good, nearly obscene. There's pretty much nothing left of the old MG, save the logo and the two letters. Originally denoting Morris Garages, MG's new owner, Nanjing Automobile Group, has elected to change the name to Modern Gentleman. Nanjing wants the brand to represent grace and style to Chinese buyers. Okay, but couldn't they have picked a brand without heritage? MG is less about grace and style than it is about wind in your hair, bugs in your teeth, Prince Of Darkness electrics, incessant leaking and driveway spots marking your little British drophead's territory. At least that's what it means to those of us who ever lusted after a rorty little British roadster. Don't worry so much about the name, just bring us back the MGB GT V8, please.

[Source: Motorauthority]

MG now known as Modern Gentleman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BritishMGmg-tcmg-tfmgbModern GentlemanModernGentlemanMorris GaragesMorrisGaragesNanjingnew name for MGNewNameForMgroadsterWed, 10 Jan 2007 17:52:00 EST<![CDATA[SAIC launching new brand without Rover name]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/saic-launching-new-brand-without-rover-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/saic-launching-new-brand-without-rover-name/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/12/saic-launching-new-brand-without-rover-name/#comments

Since both Plan A and B have failed, Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corp. has decided to move on to Plan C, which means taking the intellectual property rights to the Rover 25 and 75 models it acquired last year and selling the vehicles under a new brand name. Today that name was announced, and when the new 750E "Rong Wei" (Chinese for "glorious power") is unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in November it will be called the Roewe 750E. Hmm... kind of sounds like Roewe-ver, no?

[Source: Forbes]

SAIC launching new brand without Rover name originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>75750EbmwbrandfordnanjingroeweroverSAICThu, 12 Oct 2006 19:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Chinese automaker to purchase Rover badge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/chinese-automaker-drops-some-coin-for-rover-badge/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/chinese-automaker-drops-some-coin-for-rover-badge/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/chinese-automaker-drops-some-coin-for-rover-badge/#commentsFiled under: ,

What's in a name? Well, for starters, heritage, prestige and, in the case of Rover, a loyal following whose unfettered obsession is only eclipsed by one Chinese automaker's pocketbook.

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. may have finally wriggled the Rover name from BMW AG's hands, in a deal that, according to the Birmingham Post in Great Britain, involves the Chinese automaker shelling out $21.7 million for the famed mark.

Why Shanghai Automotive and not the winning bidder of MG Rover's production equipment, Nanjing Automobile? Shanghai Auto had worked with Rover before it went 'pop' in early 2005 and owns the rights to the Rover 75, which it plans to put into production and have on sale in late 2007 or early 2008.

At this point in the game, we're not sure if we even care where the cars are built or what badge adorns the hood, we'd just like to see something tangible come out of the defunct automaker.

[Source: Automotive News]

Chinese automaker to purchase Rover badge originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Aug 2006 08:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwmgnanjingrovershanghaiTue, 15 Aug 2006 08:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Rover collapse cost UK nearly £1 billion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/rover-collapse-cost-uk-nearly-1-billion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/rover-collapse-cost-uk-nearly-1-billion/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/25/rover-collapse-cost-uk-nearly-1-billion/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The collapse of MG Rover was an expensive affair for the British government and its people. A report published by the country's Public Accounts Committee says that the decline of MG Rover between 2000 and 2004 cost tax payers around £270 million. A £500 million pension deficit will also likely be met by the country's Pension Protection Fund, and the defunct company still owes £109 million to creditors, which they likely won't be getting.

The real kick in the head is a small loan of £6.5 million that was given to MG Rover by the UK's Department for Trade and Industry in a move to stave off bankruptcy. The automaker shut down a week later and that loan will now have to be written off.

Not all is lost, however, as 4,000 out of 6,000 employees of the company have found new jobs, and the new Nanjing-backed MG will be operating a plant in Longbridge, England, as well.

[Source: WhatCar?]

Rover collapse cost UK nearly £1 billion originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jul 2006 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BritainEnglandLongbridge, EnglandLongbridge,EnglandMGMG RoverMgRoverNanjingu.k.UKUnited KingdomUnitedKingdomTue, 25 Jul 2006 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[MG TF Coupe will be built in Ooooooklahoma]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/12/mg-tf-coupe-will-be-built-in-ooooooklahoma/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/12/mg-tf-coupe-will-be-built-in-ooooooklahoma/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/12/mg-tf-coupe-will-be-built-in-ooooooklahoma/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain. It's where the corn is as high as an elephant's eye. And now it's where the first Chinese owned auto factory will be opened in the United States. Ooooooklahoma!

Today Nanjing Automobile Group will announce that the company will build the MG TF Coupe at a factory in Ardmore, Oklahoma by 2008 and locate its American and European headquarters 90 miles north in Oklahoma City. The new plant will create 500 new jobs for the area. The MG TF Roadster, meanwhile, will be assembled at MG's plant in Longbridge, England.

This will make Nanjing the first Chinese automaker to truly enter the U.S. market, though the fact it will be offering a revered nameplate sets it apart from other Chinese automakers intent on arriving in the U.S., like Geely and Chery, both of which plan to offer freshmen marques.

(Thanks Speed42 and Peter for the tip!)

[Source and photo: New York Times]

MG TF Coupe will be built in Ooooooklahoma originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jul 2006 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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