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MG to Build First All-New Model in 15 Years at its UK Plant

MG Rover's old Longbridge vehicle plant is about to comeback in a big manner while SAIC / MG begins building its first all new vehicle in 15 years at the quit of the 12 months. The plant will start generating the MG6 mid-length model from knocked-down kits imported from China, preceding the UK relaunch of MG as a "fee logo" in 2011.

The all new car can be available to start with as a 5-door fastback, with a 4-door saloon to follow later on. The automaker with any luck advised the Financial Times that customer clinics have compared the MG6 with the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia or even with small BMWs. Prices in the UK are said to variety among ?Sixteen,000 to ?20,000 (US$25,425 to US$31,780).

Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) offered the intellectual belongings rights to some of MG's cars and engines after the disintegrate of determine business enterprise MG Rover in 2005. Meanwhile, Nanjing Automobile offered plenty of the manufacturing system again in 2007.

The latter's 2007 estimate of selling 50,000 cars a 12 months seems to were instead optimistic, with real income being greater of the order of, "masses, no longer hundreds". The companies are now merged under the SAIC call.

MG's Birmingham workplace employs some 300 engineers and 30 layout personnel, who offer design and engineering offerings to figure SAIC. MG Birmingham has formerly contributed its tremendous knowhow to the development of the Roewe 550 and 350 sedans and the MG Zero idea vehicle that was proven on the Beijing Auto Show in advance this year.

Chinese automakers have had no fulfillment exporting automobiles to Western Europe and the US in the past. MG Birmingham's enter is especially vital for SAIC, with the Chinese nevertheless suffering to make big vehicles which are competitive with the Europeans. David Lindley, Head of SAIC's Technical Centre explains:

"There's nonetheless a lack of capability in Shanghai, and probably could be for years, to design a brand new automobile from a easy sheet of paper."

The fulfillment of the MG6 is vital for the future of Longbridge and for MG's European operations. At gift, Longbridge only builds small numbers of the old MG TF roadster.

Only time will inform if MG can greenback the trend and recapture the hearts and minds of British clients. The MG6 will optimistically be the first step on this tough method.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: FT (sub. Req.) , Kudos to Aikiv for the tip!

______________________CHINA-SPEC MG6 GALLERY______________________

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