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[SAIC-owned MG launches MG 6, first all-new car in 14 years]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/saic-owned-mg-launches-mg-6-first-all-new-car-in-14-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/saic-owned-mg-launches-mg-6-first-all-new-car-in-14-years/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/saic-owned-mg-launches-mg-6-first-all-new-car-in-14-years/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 MG 6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The last new MG was the MGF sportscar way back in 1995, and oh, what a difference 14 years makes. The MG6 is the first new MG by the company's new owner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), and they've chosen a four-door liftback for their coming out party. About the size of a VW Golk/Skoda Octavia, the MG6 will be powered by either a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre four-cylinder with 133 brake horsepower and 135 pound-feet of torque, or a turbocharged 1.8-liter with 160 bhp and 158 lb-ft. Shifting is said to be via five-speed automatic.

The MG 6 will go on sale in China first, but it has reportedly been engineered to meet global safety standards and is expected to be exported. SAIC hasn't given any numbers or even locations for export yet, but the company president said they plan to produce it in the UK by the end of next year.


Gallery: 2010 MG6


[Source: Autoblog China (translated)]

SAIC-owned MG launches MG 6, first all-new car in 14 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 mg62010Mg6chinaGuangzhouGuangzhou 2009Guangzhou Auto ShowGuangzhou2009GuangzhouAutoShowhatchbackMGMG 6mg6saicMon, 23 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST<![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[FOLLOWUP: MG Rover execs reportedly strike back amidst fraud accusations]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/followup-mg-rover-execs-reportedly-strike-back-amidst-fraud-acc/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/followup-mg-rover-execs-reportedly-strike-back-amidst-fraud-acc/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/08/followup-mg-rover-execs-reportedly-strike-back-amidst-fraud-acc/#commentsFiled under: ,



The soap opera that is unfolding in the United Kingdom regarding the death of the once-proud MG Rover automobile company continues unabated. Four former MG Rover executives who purchased the automaker from BMW back in May of 2000 for a £10 fee have responded to Lord Mandelson's decision to send the aging case to the Serious Fraud Office with a terse statement. Here's a snippet:
The announcement is mystifying given that at no stage during the last four years of the government inspectors' investigation has there been any suggestion of fraud or criminal activity of any kind.

Both the National Audit Office and the MG Rover administrators, PWC, carried out thorough investigations into the company's affairs and concluded there was no evidence whatsoever of any wrongdoing.

Lawyers advising the directors who have sat through all of the interviews and read every scrap of evidence have confirmed there has never been any suggestion of fraud during the investigation. At all times, the directors have willingly and openly accounted for their actions.
Sounds like the former execs are none too pleased with the delay in publishing the findings of the four-year investigation into the automaker's final days, not to mention the inference that there may have been some sort of fraud on their watch. As an added bonus, the execs are openly questioning why the government has declined to discuss its own dealings with MG Rover around April of 2005 as the company collapsed into administration. As we said before, this case sounds like it's far from over.

[Source: Autocar]

FOLLOWUP: MG Rover execs reportedly strike back amidst fraud accusations originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lord mandelsonLordMandelsonmgmg roverMgRoverphoenix 4phoenix fourPhoenix4PhoenixFourRoverserious fraud officeSeriousFraudOfficeWed, 08 Jul 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[FOLLOWUP: Serious Fraud Office reportedly called in to investigate MG Rover collapse ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/followup-serious-fraud-office-reportedly-called-in-to-investiga/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/followup-serious-fraud-office-reportedly-called-in-to-investiga/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/followup-serious-fraud-office-reportedly-called-in-to-investiga/#commentsFiled under: ,



The saga that is the collapse of MG Rover and the subsequent four-year government probe into what went wrong has just taken another sordid and oddly-timed twist. Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for the British Labour Party, has told the Financial Times that he was under "obligation" to pass the case to the Serious Fraud Office (is there a "Not So Serious Fraud Office?") following his review of the findings into the last days of MG.

In response, the so-called "Phoenix Four" executives that had purchased the brand from BMW for a a nominal £10 fee have called into question Lord Mandelson's motives in stalling publication of the report even further. A representative of the businessmen said, "We suspect that this is a government ruse to conceal its own failings."

Political motives aside, there are serious questions as to how many leads there will be for the SFO to follow now that four years have passed since the last MG rolled out of the brand's plant in Longbridge and the company collapsed into administration. Further, if there were legitimate suspicions of criminal activity, many wonder why the SFO wasn't called into action at a much earlier date.

Somehow, we have a feeling this case is far from over. Ah, well... what's another four years?

[Source: The Financial Times]

FOLLOWUP: Serious Fraud Office reportedly called in to investigate MG Rover collapse originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fraudlord mandelsonLordMandelsonmgmg investigationmg probemg roverMgInvestigationMgProbeMgRoverphoenix fourPhoenixFourrover carsRoverCarsserious fraud officeSeriousFraudOfficeMon, 06 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Findings from inquiry into demise of MG Rover finished... only took 4 years and $26M]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/findings-from-inquiry-into-demise-of-mg-rover-finished-only/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/findings-from-inquiry-into-demise-of-mg-rover-finished-only/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/findings-from-inquiry-into-demise-of-mg-rover-finished-only/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The final days of MG were disastrous and disastrously expensive. The British government finally has an accounting of what happened, but it only adds to both sides of the disaster: the report took four years and £16 million ($26 million U.S.) for CPA firm BDO Stoy Howard to compile.

For now, various government figures are upset about the delay and the cost. BDO is reported to have spent more than £130,000 ($214,000 U.S.) on hotels and expenses, leading to charges of the firm "living like kings" while MG's workers were living on government support. The report hasn't been released yet, so no one knows what it says. When it is made public, if the MG story continues as it has, what's actually in the report will probably be just as hard to swallow as the lead-up to it.

[Source: Sunday Mercury]

Findings from inquiry into demise of MG Rover finished... only took 4 years and $26M originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BDO Stoy HowardBdoStoyHowardbritainenglandmgroverukTue, 30 Jun 2009 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Shanghai Preview: New MG6 is... <i>nice</i>]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/shanghai-preview-new-roewe-mg6-is-i-nice-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/shanghai-preview-new-roewe-mg6-is-i-nice-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/16/shanghai-preview-new-roewe-mg6-is-i-nice-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



This is the MG6, and it's a good looking car. As the sporty version of the Roewe 550 (another good looking car), the MG6 gets a tauter nose with new lights, a slightly more upswept swage line, and a fastback rear end.

The Roewe 550 signified a break from the heavily Rover-based design still found models like the Roewe 750, undoubtedly due to the international design team based in China and the UK. The MG6 continues the trend of independent design, not relying on being merely a tweaked copy of its sibling, or any other car for that matter. It will be debuting at the Shanghai Motor Show, and to you, Roewe and MG, we say keep up the good work.

[Source: Auto Sina (translated) via The Tycho]

Shanghai Preview: New MG6 is... nice originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinamgmg6roeweroewe 550Roewe550saloonsedanshanghai motor showShanghaiMotorShowThu, 16 Apr 2009 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Roadster Rebirth: New bodies available for British classics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/roadster-rebirth-new-bodies-available-for-british-classics/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/roadster-rebirth-new-bodies-available-for-british-classics/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/23/roadster-rebirth-new-bodies-available-for-british-classics/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click the image above to view a hi-res gallery of British Motor Heritage bodies

Rust never sleeps, and classic British cars are some of the tinworm's favorite snacks. Lack of a roof on many classics (to effectively seal out the weather) doesn't help floors or unibodies stay rot-free, and proper restorations can run into serious money. Rather than pony up for endless hours with the nibbler and the rhythmic zot, zot, zot of a welder, a wiser starting point might be a reproduction body. Yes, the whole thing. Some vehicles are lucky in that they have a strong enough following to warrant an unbelievably cool aftermarket that will do things like purchase original tooling and dies to turn out factory parts long after said factory ceases to exist.

British Motor Heritage, Ltd. has been making reproduction bodies and body parts for a variety of classic British automobiles since 1988. Much effort and money has been expended to obtain original tooling, technical data, and jigs, and it's got us thinking about building a project car in Neff's garage. Owners of MGBs, Spridgets, and Minis can get an entirely new body from one of BMH's approved specialists either in primer or fully painted, and the prices run between $7500 and $13,000 - a bargain for a rust-free body shell fully painted and like new.

Gallery: New Vintage Bodies


[Source: BMH via Hemmings]

Roadster Rebirth: New bodies available for British classics originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmc miniBmcMinibody-in-whitebritish motor heritagebritish roadsterbritish roadstersBritishMotorHeritageBritishRoadsterBritishRoadstersmgmg midgetmgbmgb gtmgbgtMgMidgetmidgetmininew bodiesNewBodiesrestorationspridgetspritevintage britishVintageBritishFri, 23 Jan 2009 17:27:00 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[Roewe 550, 750 arrive in Chile as MGs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/26/roewe-550-750-arrive-in-chile-as-mgs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/26/roewe-550-750-arrive-in-chile-as-mgs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/26/roewe-550-750-arrive-in-chile-as-mgs/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Remember the Roewe 550? Pretty nice-looking ride, especially for a Chinese car, considering some of the freakishly awful stuff that comes out of the country. SAIC apparently realizes that in terms of name recognition, MG > Roewe. Case in point: the introduction of the 550 and 750 sedans in Chile, where both cars are now being sold under the MG moniker by importer SK Bergé. The two four-doors will reportedly be joined by the TF roadster in November, but despite the traditionally British nameplate adorning their respective bonnets, all three are made in China. You know, like everything else. You can see a gallery of the brand's launch event in Santiago here. Thanks for the tip, Potts.

[Sources: Autoblog Spanish, Austin Rover Online]

Roewe 550, 750 arrive in Chile as MGs originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mgmg 550mg 750mg tfMg550Mg750MgTfroewe 550roewe 750Roewe550Roewe750saicsk bergeSkBergeSun, 26 Oct 2008 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[MG planning supercar SV-S WRC convertible]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/mg-planning-supercar-sv-s-wrc-convertible/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/mg-planning-supercar-sv-s-wrc-convertible/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/06/mg-planning-supercar-sv-s-wrc-convertible/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Following all the plot twists in the ongoing saga of what's become of MG Rover in recent years is more difficult than unravelling the Harry Potter series in a half hour. Looking like something distinctly last century, the MG XPower SV started life as a derivate of the Qvale Mangusta. Ex-racer William Riley, a member of the famed English automotive clan, managed to wheel and deal for the rights to the MG X-Power name, as well as the flared and gilled V8-powered supercar intender.

What better thing to do with a kevlar-bodied piece of automotive bombast but cut the top off? That's exactly the thinking that's led to the prototype MG X-Power SV-S WRC. WRC stands for William Riley Convertible, and the car sports a supercharged V8 and is claimed to be capable of hitting 62 mph in 3.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 195 mph. It will cost Anglophiles £87,000 to support their local supercar bakery, though there will be lower achievers that cost less but still deliver the same jagged-glass eye pain. Still, considering that this mobile cheese grater is about half the cost when powered by a 3.5 liter Ford V6, it's a bargain for such an exclusive car. Thanks for the tip, pottz!

[Source: Auto Express]

MG planning supercar SV-S WRC convertible originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MGMG convertibleMG supercarMG X-Power SV-S WRCMgConvertibleMgSupercarMgX-powerSv-sWrcWilliam RileyWilliamRileyMon, 06 Oct 2008 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Auction action: Drive a Lotus, help earthquake victims]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Last month China's Sichuan province was devastated by a massive earthquake that killed as many as 70,000 people. If you've wanted to donate to help the survivors but were waiting for just the right opportunity, this could be it.

Our friends over at China Car Times are holding several auctions with the proceeds going to the British Red Cross. Three of the auctions require a little travel for us Americans, but just might be worth a special trip. One is a private tour of the London Taxi factory with a chance to drive one of the iconic cars and some special merchandise from the factory. The second is for the chance to be one of the first people to tour MG's Longbridge factory in Birmingham, England, since taken over by Shanghai Automotive. Not only that, but the top bidder will get to drive the new MG TF LE500. The third auction is your chance to try out the latest vehicles from Lotus right there on its test track in Hethel Norwich, England.

Can't leave the country? Line up behind a couple of Autoblog staffers to bid on the 1:18 scale models of the Lifan 520. These are usually only given to VIP visitors to the Lifan factory and are produced in exacting detail. They're gonna look good in my collection.

The final auction should appeal to anyone with an international business hoping to break into the Chinese market. China Car Times will give to the winning bidder one month of advertising on its Web site, which is a great opportunity to see what your business could do over there.

[Source: China Car Times]

Auction action: Drive a Lotus, help earthquake victims originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's a new MG TF on its way to replace the current TF, which is once again rolling out the doors at its Longbridge, UK ancestral home. The new TF will be available as a roadster, natch, and as a coupe, and based on the Roewe 550. AutoExpress has worked up some renderings based on insider information about the new rear-drive MG, and the car amounts to a smorgasbord of cues from a variety of unfortunately styled vehicles. There's a lot of X80 concept, a dash of the crosseyed Qvale Mangusta, and a peppering or two of the MG SV, too. The end result looks like something Noddy assembled in a candlelit workshop, but then again, so does the existing MG TF.

The underlying platform for the new TF is one of the last vestiges of MG Rover, and would have been used for the MG ZS/Rover 45 replacement. Ricardo also played a role in the development of the chassis, which will have a turbocharged 1.8-liter four and a 2.5-liter V6 as power options. Still, more coupes in the MX5's sandbox can't be a bad thing, so we wish the new MG TF well, and hope that it comes to the United States for a proper taunting.

[Source: Auto Express]

Rendered Speculation: MG TF is coming... originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 May 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mgmg coupemg roadstermg rovermg tfMgCoupeMgRoadsterMgRoverMgTfnew mg tfNewMgTfrendered mgrendered roeweRenderedMgRenderedRoeweroeweroewe roadsterRoeweRoadsterroverThu, 08 May 2008 07:58:00 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[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[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[Nader wants FCC to probe GM's radio ties]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/18/nader-wants-fcc-to-probe-gms-radio-ties/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/18/nader-wants-fcc-to-probe-gms-radio-ties/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/18/nader-wants-fcc-to-probe-gms-radio-ties/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a letter to the FCC, Ralph Nader, the world's most visible consumer advocate, has requested an investigation into the advertising practices of General Motors with regard to several radio personalities.

The letter from Nader was prompted by an Automotive News article entitled, "Puff Piece. Rush Limbaugh is one of the radio personalities GM is working with to talk up its vehicles" (sub. req.). The article goes on to detail how the General has supplied DJs, broadcasters and Limbaugh with test vehicles, private meetings and VIP tours of GM facilities.

Nader contests that this type of promotion may be against FCC laws requiring disclosure of payments for endorsements. Some choice quotes from Limbaugh include, "GM has a ton of momentum," and, "GM cars and trucks have never been better."

Whether or not an investigation will take place is up to the FCC, but General Motors made it clear in a statement that everything they've done with broadcasters is above board and meets with the FCC's regulations.

You can read Ralph Nader's letter in full by following the jump.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req., Nader.org]

Continue reading Nader wants FCC to probe GM's radio ties

Nader wants FCC to probe GM's radio ties originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Aug 2007 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fccfederal communcations commissionFederalCommuncationsCommissiongeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmmgralph naderRalphNaderSat, 18 Aug 2007 16:34:00 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[Mercedes relents: Will go it alone like BMW]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/21/mercedes-relents-will-go-it-alone-like-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/21/mercedes-relents-will-go-it-alone-like-bmw/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/21/mercedes-relents-will-go-it-alone-like-bmw/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It seems obvious now, but the sale of Chrysler leaves Mercedes Benz in a similar position as it's cross-country rival, BMW. Back when BMW bought the ailing MG-Rover marque, the results, to say the least, were less than positive. When the dust finally settled after the sale of Rover in 2000, the automaker had dropped billions of dollars into the company with little to show for the expenditure.

According to an article in Welt am Sonntag, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche was quoted as saying that, "there are no acquisition targets I can recognize that could strengthen Mercedes." Obviously, Dr. Z has learned from his own company's past missteps, and will lead Mercedes into the future without the help of new brands to bolster its catalogue of cars.

In the end, the acquisition of Chrysler did little to enhance either automaker's image. Whether it was quality, engineering prowess or long-term growth, the consolidation glut of the past 10 years may have finally come to an abrupt, if not entirely predictable, end. No surprise, as bigger has often proven to be not necessarily better when it comes to the automotive industry.

[Source: Reuters]

Mercedes relents: Will go it alone like BMW originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 May 2007 17:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwchryslerdaimlerchryslerdieter zetscheDieterZetschemercedesmercedes benzmercedes-benzMercedesBenzmgmg-roverroverMon, 21 May 2007 17:36:00 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