Latest News from MG-Rover.org

The MG ZERO concept car has been unveiled to the world's media today as one of the stars of the Beijing Automotive Show, now one of the world's most important automotive events. The MG ZERO Concept car has been developed by MG Global Design team, led by British MG Design Director Anthony (Tony) Williams-Kenny, based in Birmingham.

At around 4m in length, the MG ZERO concept previews the design direction of the brand and demonstrates how MG can expand into this high- volume sector of the market. MG ZERO reflects the latest trends in the market for vehicle size, styling and technology and is designed to show how MG will offer products that will appeal to a wide audience across the global market.

I managed to grab the best part of 90 mins with Guy Jones today who was kind enough to spare us the time on what was a very busy day, with the launch of the MG Zero concept car in China - more on that shortly!

We have 6 (six!!) pages of questions and answers to go through, so click on 'Read More' to get started!

Is this the all-new TF? No, I doubt it, its just AutoExpress up to their usual Photoshopping antics, however there may be some truth in there somewhere!

 

What is for sure is that SAIC will be thinking about the replacement for the TF. Although its age, it still more than holds its own against the MX-5, which is really its sole remaining competitor in its market segment.

Its not often we get to post an article that appeared on technology blog site, Engadget, but this is such a time. The new Roewe 350 is entering production in China shortly and it appears the DVD / GPS system runs on Google's Android operating system, which is better known for its use in mobile phones. The 350 itself is based upon the N1 concept car shown last year and is due to be launched at the upcoming Beijing motorshow.

 

The 350 will be able to get all the latest real time traffic reports so drivers can avoid certain spots, the system also allows for direct web access from your car, and oddly it allows you to chat online which is something you really don't want to be doing when you're driving. The 350 will be running the 2.1 Android operating system, which is the same as what you will find in Google's latest Nexus handset.

The Roewe 350 was always set to show ‘the future‘ from SAIC, and it looks like they have actually achieved this by building a car that not only looks good, but has the tech behind it.

The 350 will launch with a 1.5VVT engine, but a 1.5 Turbo engine is also in the works according to various different media outlets. The 1.5l engine is good for 105bhp and 135Nm of torque making it great for inner city jaunts.

Source: Engadget / China Car Times

LONGBRIDGE is being consigned to history after more than 100 years – with a multi-million pound Chinese makeover to turn the site into the nerve centre of MG design worldwide.
The former home of Lord Austin, British Leyland, Red Robbo, Sir Michael Edwardes, BMW and John Towers is to be renamed MG Birmingham, with an MG Worldwide Design Studio at the heart of the new operation.

 

Credit: Birmingham Mail

From the What Car? website - its not official yet so treat it as a rumour..

MG is preparing to restart production of saloons at the former Austin factory in Longbridge, Birmingham.

The MG6 – a model that's slightly bigger than a Skoda Octavia – will start rolling off the production lines in four- and five-door form in October.

Initially, it will be available with only petrol engines, but diesels will follow 12 months later when the factory – now rechristened MG Motor Birmingham – will begin exporting cars to mainland Europe.

After what was frankly far too long, the mg-rover.org main site has been overhauled and updated. We can now add news articles again and in addition, we've brought the news page bang up to date with new features. You now have a car of the week picked at random from the members cars which have been submitted. We also now have a selection of featured garages again, from the garages members have uploaded.

 

I apologise for the delays in getting this section refreshed and updated. Yes there is a bit of content missing, but we plan to add this back in over the next couple of weeks.

MG Motor is proud to announce today, the international launch of the MG6, the first all new MG motor car since the launch of the MGF sports car.

Guy Jones, Sales and Marketing Director for MG Motor UK said, “This is a milestone day for the iconic MG brand and for the UK automotive industry. MG has begun the international launch of an all new model that has been designed and engineered here in the UK, for the global automotive market. Currently we only build and sell the mid-engined TF sports car here in the UK, but we can now look forward to expanding the range of MG products.”

The launch takes place at the Guangzhou Auto show in China and is the beginning of an exciting new global future for the MG brand. The launch in China, the world's largest automotive market begins the international roll out of sales of MG6 which includes the UK. Sales in China will begin in January and plans for the UK and other markets will be released during 2010.

It was also announced today that production of MG6 for the China market will begin at the brand new state of the art factory in Lingang, China in December 2009. It is also planned to commence production of MG6 at the Birmingham plant in the UK before the end of 2010.

This summer, two new MGs are being launched to join the highly successful MG TF LE500; the affordable MG TF 135 and a unique new MG that is being produced to mark the 85th Anniversary of the brand, the MG TF 85th Anniversary.

Jack Safiruddin, Sales & Aftersales Operations Manager for MG, said. “With summer kicking in, the launch of two new cars and our recent scrappage announcement regarding a £2000 reduction on the price of a new MG, the next few months will be a very tempting time for customers to get the new sports car they have always wanted.”