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MG heading back to Australia

By Alborz Fallah
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The world famous British automobile brand, Morris Garages, better known as MG, is up for a potential return to Australia under its Chinese ownership.

Showing off a huge display at this week’s Beijing motorshow, the Chinese owned and operated MG is in early stage talks with Australian distributors for an Australian comeback.

MG, which was acquired by Nanjing Automotive Group (China’s oldest Automobile manufacturer) for £53 million in 2005 ($85 million), has subsequently found itself under the umbrella of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), which merged with Nanjing automotive in 2007. SAIC is one of the biggest vehicle manufacturers in China, having produced more than four million units last year. The company has been selling Higer buses in Australia under its partnership with White Motor Corporation (WMC), which will also import the Maxus V80 MPVs later this year.

At its Beijing motor show display, MG made every effort to showcase its British roots, with large displays of the union jack and a rather western approach to its design. The company continues to have a design and engineering presence in Longbridge (UK) where it also puts together Chinese made MGs that arrive unassembled.

MG’s 88 year history has had some ups and downs, at one stage the Chinese were contemplating a name change from Morris Garages to Modern Gentlemen but we are happy to report that it appears to have regained its original name. MG’s Chinese operations currently produce the MG6, which is on sale in international markets with a 1.8-litre petrol and 1.9-litre diesel. The smaller MG5 (Ford Focus size) and MG3 light hatchback concept were also on display at the Beijing motorshow.

Unlike some Chinese manufacturers that have tried to enter the European market unsuccessfully, MG’s MG6 gained mostly favourable reviews and even managed a respectable four-star safety rating in European New Car Assessment Program (ENCAP), the same score as a Jaguar XF.

The future of MG’s product line is still unclear and subject of much speculation but we do know that the brand is being taken seriously as an export opportunity by SAIC. Given WMC’s successful venture with the company to date, we can speculate that it’s first in line to take the distribution deal for our market. WMC is a private company but has at least one major dealer group as a stakeholder, which will be a big help when it comes to passenger car distribution. We suspect you’ll see MG vehicles in local dealerships in 2014.


 

  • Rover 75

    MG = Rover ?

    • Browneye69

       And Rover is the name of a dog.

      • Nasal Explorer

        . . . and an excellent brand of lawnmower.

  • JHP

    ohh goody, hope some idiots won’t consider them as a premium brand, just like what they do with vw.

    • fali

      or Skoda for a premium brand….

    • Legnab

      Well they are no different to any japanese non premium brand

    • Golfschwein

      By its very mention, it would appear that you yourself think that VW is a premium. I mean, if it’s not an issue, and doesn’t cross your mind, there’d be no need to mention it, right?

  • Sutto

    If we get the Longbridge assembled examples, yes. If we get the Chinese assembled examples, no. 

  • Mh2408

    sad to see the iconic MG badge has come to this

  • gt86.com.au

    Another prime example of British Engineering loss. Where has all the talent gone?

    • LeStori

       They are making Jaguars in Britain not MGs in China.

  • LeStori

    Now this will be good for a laugh if the above pictures are anything to go by.
    Look like bottom of the range Asian cars.
    The MGB might have been a Hairdressers car but these are for people with ‘no taste’

    • Non LeStori

      Wow, some people are apparently upset because they are overtaken by people they deem inferior.  If you don’t wake up to get ahead again, nobody could ever help you.

  • Mr McKenzie

    Change the name to Modern Gentleman?
    And if they buy BMW they will change it to Bang My Wife
    And I can’t wait to hear what they name Volvo now that they own it.

  • theillestlife

    first two pictures look like VW design? I would take it as a MK7 Golf sort of design…

    just the bumper and lights give that style. IMO though

  • carexpert

    i would buy one if it came to australia

  • Overthereontheleft

    it looks like a Proton

  • Rmp22

    What a sad outcome.            It would have been better if MG had faded into total oblivion, rather than now, by having a non traditional product from China, wearing a once proud badge.            The one good aspect, is that an Abingdon built MG will only increase in value.