13.3.06 MGs are go
It looks like the first Chinese-built MGs will roll off the assembly lines at Nanjing Automotive in early 2007, now that its revival plan has been approved by the Politburo—specifically the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). R&D and manufacture will be in Red China.
Now that this has been officially green-lighted, one wonders if the British media might champion the return of the English brands, or will they continue to diss them—one of the reasons that contributed to their downfall in the first place? Because the criticisms, such as the cars’ dated design (even if other models that are as old seem to escape their attention), are as valid as they ever were. Somehow I think the media will have more than enough to cover. For Nanjing won’t be alone in remaking these cars: Shanghai Automotive (SAIC), its rival in bidding for MG Rover, apparently owns rights to the Rover 25 and 75 models, the latter being virtually identical to Nanjing’s MG. SAIC made life difficult for Nanjing during the bidding, but it’s likely the NRDC will coordinate the cars’ manufacture between the two companies. Besides, SAIC has its hands full with its joint ventures, and in my book it had more than lost face when it cried foul over PricewaterhouseCoopers’ purchase process. Still, material exists there for a soap opera. Whatever the case, if MG Rover is to return, it will need new models. These older ones might be all right in generating a bit of cashflow, but without investment for new vehicles, they will become pensionable, Chinese-market oddities like Nanjing’s current Seat Ibiza-based models, or, for that matter, the Indian-market Hindustan Ambassador—which is also based off a British car. I have a soft spot for these British brands, so naturally I hope they will come back, regardless of who makes them. I am betting there are Brits who feel the same: at least Nanjing wanted the company to make better cars, rather than force its original collapse. Nanjing also comes from a fast-growing region and has a point to prove: that while it doesn’t have as many friends in the Politburo, it wants to make a decent go of it all. They may yet succeed. The goodwill for the MG brand remains high, and the cars will be sure to find buyers as a result, although Rover is about as lame-duck a brand as one can get. It didn’t take that long to fall from grace from the days of the innovative P5 and SD1—showing how losing sight of a brand vision can harm a company. As this is Nanjing’s—if not Red China’s—only credible locally owned exporting automotive brand (Geely and Zhonghua still sound odd to western ears) with that invaluable idea of heritage, it’s bound to protect and build on it more than British Aerospace or BMW ever did. Del.icio.us tags: MG Rover | SAIC | Nanjing Automotive | branding | brands | Red China Posted by Jack Yan, 02:54 Comments:
Update: some European countries’ rights to the MG name are owned by a Dutch company, according to Keith Adams’ Unofficial Austin Rover site.
the question most people are asking these days is if (since saic annoucned coming to US in 2010) if they will use the name of Rover in US... It is great overall that nanjing auto reviving MG ROVER :) and they opening plant also in landbridge
http://www.chinacarforums.com
I believe it’s fantastic news, Chinacars. The outstanding issue for US sales is who owns the Rover name in the US (I just checked: it is BMW, US TM reg. no. 76496804). I believe it is probably OK to use it these days as memories of the ill-fated SD1 and Sterling have long faded.
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