MG Preparing an Array of New Models to Conquer Europe

SAIC Motor Corporation, the owner of MG Motors, plans to develop several new models for the British brand in order to boost sales outside its home market in China. The Chinese owner of MG Motors has already spent £1 billion ($1.64 billion) to re-launch the MG and Roewe brands (former Rover) and intends to invest another £2.2 billion ($3.6 billion) to achieve annual sales of 700,000 by 2015.

In 2010, the two brands sold 160,397 cars, most of which were delivered in China, with only 2,000 units exported to other markets. This past April, MG launched its new mid-size MG6 in the UK, the first new car to be assembled at the British firm’s Longbridge plant in 16 years. The company said that when it completes the development of a diesel version, it will offer the car to rest of Europe. "We will not go into mainland Europe without a diesel," UK managing director, William Wong, told Autonews.

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'47 MG TC

MG Design Centre opens

The slow resurgence of MG at its Birmingham site continues, with the opening of the MG Global Design Centre. Employing a team of twenty designers, the studio will sit alongside parent company SAIC’s European Technical Centre, where almost 300 engineers already work.



But what of vehicle manufacture at the facility? Well, the TF (getting on a bit but great value with UK prices starting at £13,799) continues to be produced there, and assembly of the MG6 hatch is due to begin at the end of 2010.

Meanwhile, MG has decided to rename the internal roads around the Birmingham works, following consultation with fans of the marque. The five names that will be used are Abingdon Avenue, Morris Garages Drive, Octagon Way, Austin Street and Issigonis Road. Funnily enough, BMW Boulevard and John Towers Terrace weren’t chosen.

MG Zero concept

The revitalisation of MG slowly continues, with the firm unveiling its attractive Zero concept at the Beijing Automotive Show.

Developed by MG Global Design at its UK base in Longbridge, the Zero is around four metres in length, making it roughly the same size as a Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo.



Although just a concept for now, it seems highly likely that a toned-down version will make it into production. A replacement is certainly needed for the aged MG 3SW (an MG-badged version of the ancient Rover 25 Streetwise) which is still offered in the Chinese market.

No other technical details have been confirmed yet, and it’s unknown whether MG is planning to assemble the Zero at Longbridge or import it into Europe from China.