MG Birmingham Important to new 'cleaner' cars

Engineers at MG’s Birmingham site are playing an important role in developing advanced engines and gearboxes in a ground-breaking agreement between SAIC and GM. 

The skills of the Birmingham experts are helping to develop an entirely new generation of power trains that will be considerably cleaner and more efficient than conventional technology.

It is seen as a major advance between two of the world’s biggest automotive companies. SAIC Motor, MG Motor UK’s parent company, is the largest automotive company in China - which is now the largest car market in the world. GM is one of the largest US-based automotive giants.

Nearly 300 professional engineers work at SAIC’s Technical centre at the MG Birmingham site.
The new engines and transmissions are expected to reduce fuel consumption by more than 20 per cent and lower carbon emissions by even more.

Among the projects, SAIC and GM will jointly develop a new 1-litre to 1.5-litre family of compact, lightweight, turbocharged engines with in-cylinder direct fuel injection. The new gearboxes will feature dry, dual clutch technology.

Development of the new power trains will also be carried out in Shanghai and Detroit. The work will be fully integrated between SAIC and GM to save time and money and the companies will share the intellectual property rights at a global level.
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William Wang, Managing Director of MG Motor UK, said: “This is a significant joint agreement and we are very proud that the expertise and skills of people here will play a key role in it.”
 

MG-Rover.org covered the latest developments with Engines and Powertrains in an earlier article, click here to find out more.