MG Making a "comeback"...

[todaresqSL2]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 27, 2007

SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Nanjing Automobile, the Chinese car maker that bought MG Rover two years ago, on Tuesday launched production of MG model sports cars, seeking to revive the historic brand both in China and overseas.

The company, China's oldest carmaker, bought bankrupt British automaker MG Rover Group in 2005, acquiring the MG, which enjoyed a reputation in the 1960s as a good-handling, affordable English sports car.

Nanjing Auto also acquired Power Train Ltd., MG Rover's engine-making unit.

The $362 million MG production line was inaugurated Tuesday in the eastern city of Nanjing, where the state-owned Chinese automaker was founded 60 years ago.

MG was Britain's last independent auto manufacturer but had not produced a new model since 1998. In the 1960s, the company turned out 40 percent of the cars bought in Britain.

Nanjing and rival Shanghai Automotive Industrial Corp. both had sought to buy part or all of MG Rover Group's assets. SAIC subsequently purchased technology for two Rover models, the 25 and 75 and has since begun making its own brand car based on the 75, called the ''Roewe 75.''

Nanjing Auto plans to reintroduce MG models in China and Europe and is also planning production at an assembly line in Ardmore, southern Oklahoma, beginning next year.

Despite Nanjing Auto's role in rescuing the MG Rover, recent state media reports said the company is now struggling to raise financing from local banks.

Earlier this month, Nanjing Auto's chairman, Wang Haoliang, presented a proposal to China's national legislature seeking ''policy support'' for a loan worth up to 3 billion yuan, or $258 million, for its expansion, according to the state-owned newspaper Shanghai Securities News.

It said that local lenders were wary given that some Nanjing Auto units were losing money.

Nanjing Auto has a 50-50 joint venture with Italian automaker Fiat SpA and is a major manufacturer of trucks and other commercial vehicles, as well as passenger cars. So far, its main export markets have been in Africa, Latin America and southern Europe.

[MidniteBlues]

LOL. Memories, I owned a MG "Midget" many many years ago and was disappointed with it. It was ALL steel however, and a heavy car for its size. Ended up selling it to some young pup and he in no time totaled it. What I remember the most was that its main light switch crapped out, cost me $35.00 for a chunk of plastic. I was never impressed with British cars, even back then I thought it was junk, can you imagine now, with the Chinese building it? Yuck--No thanks--

[TulsaSky]

That scuttlebutt is that the closed GM plant in Oklahoma City was leased/bought by Nanjing Auto and they are planning on buliding one of the cars, not sure which one. It will be a MG not sure if its the roadster or another model.


TulsaSky

[wt2ga]

Originally Posted by TulsaSky

That scuttlebutt is that the closed GM plant in Oklahoma City was leased/bought by Nanjing Auto and they are planning on buliding one of the cars, not sure which one. It will be a MG not sure if its the roadster or another model.


TulsaSky

That plant is being gutted and the equipment is being sent to Spring Hill TN

[RMFNSKY]

I owned a 72 MGB and loved the car when it ran. Towards the end in 75 the car was nickel and diming me to death, the final straw was when it keep blowing fuses, took it in and traded it on a VW bug to take to England with me, figured it would easy to repair, didn't realized that they started putting fuel injectors on the bug, turned into a nightmare getting repaired in England.

[JohnD]

My Triumph Spitfire seemed to rack up more vertical miles on a hoist than it ever did horizontal miles on a roadway. Nevertheless, when it ran it was a very sweet car. But the merging of Lucas Electronic Components and British Engineering was a dreadful combination.

I vowed when I got rid of my Spitfire that I would never again own another British car. Which is unfortunate, because I really like some of the stuff that Lotus and Jaguar have done since that then. Things do change over time, anyd maybe the rebirth of MG will be much improved in the quality aspect over the old days of British Leyland.

Having a big "MADE IN CHINA" stamp doesn't necessarily instill a lot of confidence in my heart.

The styling is reminiscent of the plain, straight-sided look of the MGBs than the more swoopy designs of the MGAs... With the world going retro all over the place, I don't know if I'd necessarily pick the MGB as my styling base...