Could an MG Sports Car be Headed Back to North America?
After what might be the biggest automotive-related disaster of the new millennium, the dust has finally settled on MG-Rover. Britain's last volume carmaker is finally
under Chinese ownership, but the new owners may surprise you. While the scuffle between Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) and MG-Rover's former parents, Phoenix group initially brought the brand into receivership, the proud new owner is a small, state-owned carmaker called Nanjing Automotive, China's oldest carmaker and the underdog of what were the three firms running for MG-Rover's control.
Nanjing's plans for MG-Rover are conservative, looking to appease rather than upset the former workers and suppliers that have been affected by the automaker's demise. The firm intends on building sports cars under the MG name, keeping production and development in the UK.
But meanwhile, Powertrain Ltd., the MG-Rover division responsible for R&D of engines as well as production of Rover automobiles will be shipped off to China. Nanjing's proposal also included the construction of a new research and development facility at Longbridge, the old MG-Rover production site. In total, it is estimated that Nanjing's plan to keep some production and development work in England could see around 2,000 out of MG-Rover's once 6,000-strong workforce return to work. Due to
confidentiality agreements, the exact price of the deal was not announced, but it is estimated that the buyout package was worth between £50 to 60 million.
Nanjing initially intended to restart full-scale production of all MG and Rover models, including the 25/ZR subcompact hatchback, the BMW-designed 75/ZT midsize, and the TF mid-engined roadster. One vehicle that won't be produced, however, is the compact 45/ZS sedan, a vehicle whose design was shared with the previous-generation Honda Civic. With administrators agreeing that Honda was an intellectual property owner, permission was given for the Japanese brand to remove production equipment from the Longbridge UK assembly plant and to destroy blueprints, making production of any further Rover 45 or MG ZS sedans and hatchbacks impossible.
After what might be the biggest automotive-related disaster of the new millennium, the dust has finally settled on MG-Rover. Britain's last volume carmaker is finally
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| Britain's last volume carmaker and maker of the legendary MG sports car is now under new management, but the new owners may surprise you. (Photo: MG-Rover Group) |
Nanjing's plans for MG-Rover are conservative, looking to appease rather than upset the former workers and suppliers that have been affected by the automaker's demise. The firm intends on building sports cars under the MG name, keeping production and development in the UK.
But meanwhile, Powertrain Ltd., the MG-Rover division responsible for R&D of engines as well as production of Rover automobiles will be shipped off to China. Nanjing's proposal also included the construction of a new research and development facility at Longbridge, the old MG-Rover production site. In total, it is estimated that Nanjing's plan to keep some production and development work in England could see around 2,000 out of MG-Rover's once 6,000-strong workforce return to work. Due to
 |
| Nanjing's plan is to keep some production and development work in England, which could see around 2,000 out of the MG-Rover's once 6,000-strong workforce return to work. (MG-Rover Group) |
Nanjing initially intended to restart full-scale production of all MG and Rover models, including the 25/ZR subcompact hatchback, the BMW-designed 75/ZT midsize, and the TF mid-engined roadster. One vehicle that won't be produced, however, is the compact 45/ZS sedan, a vehicle whose design was shared with the previous-generation Honda Civic. With administrators agreeing that Honda was an intellectual property owner, permission was given for the Japanese brand to remove production equipment from the Longbridge UK assembly plant and to destroy blueprints, making production of any further Rover 45 or MG ZS sedans and hatchbacks impossible.