MG Rover-News

[Angus]

NAC-MGs erstes Testfahrzeug

Hier ein Bild vom neuen MG 7Z aus der Testphase in Russland.
Dieses Bild wurde bisher nicht bestätigt, interessant ist es dennoch finde ich.
(Trotzdem sollte man mit Diskussionen erstmal abwarten bis offiziellere Bilder folgen).



Quelle: Britisches MG Rover-Forum

edit by Spacecake:

Bitte beachten, dass dieser Thread ausschliesslich für das posten von News genutzt wird.
Diskussionen über die News bitte in dem Thread "MG Rover-News Gesprächsecke" führen!

Please note, that this thread is only used for posting news.
Please discuss any news related in thread "MG Rover-News Gesprächsecke"!

[Angus]

STARS & GRIPES - Sunday Mercury, Birmingham
BY BOB HAYWOOD
7 January 2007

EXCLUSIVE
Americans storm off in row with Chinese over Rover

THE Chinese owners of the Longbridge car plant in Birmingham have had a spectacular fall-out with their American partners, it was claimed last night.
Sources say a team of managers from the USA who have been working in the Midlands for the past three months have been abruptly ordered to return home.
The decision follows an alleged rift between the Chinese and the Americans about the future direction of the joint venture.
The team from Global Oklahoma Motors is said to have become 'exasperated' with the Chinese way of doing business, which they saw as 'slow and bumbling'.
The split between the partners has placed another huge question mark over the future of Longbridge.
Last night, a source close to the Nanjing Automobile Corporation in the UK insisted that the Birmingham plant is safe, although the company itself was more inscrutable.
The Chinese company paid £50 million to buy MG Rover after the firm collapsed with the loss of 6,000 jobs in April 2005.
Nanjing Automobile has announced plans to resume production of the MGF sports car at Longbridge this spring with up to 1,000 jobs being created.
The company is building a factory in the city of Nanjing with the target of producing 200,000 cars a year and 250,000 engines for the booming Chinese market.
Meanwhile, MGFs are to be built at a new plant in Ardmore, Oklahoma, employing 350 workers. Work on the midwest factory is due to start later this year, with production lines running for the first time in 2008.
MG is a coveted marque in the USA and Canada, although the model will be built to higher specifications because of tougher exhaust emission laws.
The Sunday Mercury has learned that for the past three months about 30 managers, automotive engineers and accountants from the USA have been working and living in the West Midlands.
The purpose of the team is to liaise with Nanjing representatives in the UK.
The aim was to Westernise the joint venture because Chinese methods were felt to be staid and likely to do few favours for MG in the UK and the USA.
But the senior US staff have been summarily recalled amid claims that they found working with the Chinese impossible and their patience 'just ran out'.
One source said: "They just became exasperated at the way the Chinese work and felt there was no hope of change."
The Mercury has been told that a top-level mission from Oklahoma will be jetting into Britain soon for talks with Nanjing executives, although the exact purpose is unclear. Wes Stucky, president and chief executive of the Ardmore Development Authority, which owns the land on which the Oklahoma plant is to be built, admitted: "There have been difficulties between the partners.
"There are changes in the way the partnership will go forward but I am confident that the Ardmore facility will proceed as proposed.
"I don't know what implications, if any, there will be for the future of the Long-bridge plant in the UK."
A source close to Nanjing Automobile said: "These international partnerships are very complex and can be subject to change.
"But the current difficulties won't have any effect on what happens at Longbridge.
"Nanjing in China will be selling cars to China and the Far East. Nanjing in the UK will be selling MGFs in the UK and Europe, and Oklahoma Global Motors will sell in North America."
A Nanjing Automobile spokesman in the UK said: "The original understanding with the Oklahoma team remains. There have been some amendments and considerable discussions and they are ongoing."
Marc Nuttle, chairman of Oklahoma Global Motors, could not be reached for comment last night.

[baueran]

MG is now "Modern Gentleman"

Monday, 8. January 2007


MG's new Chinese owner, Nanjing Automobile Group, has decided to change the meaning of the famous initials to help promote the brand in its new home. MG originally stood for Morris Garages but Nanjing's Zhang Xin has commented that the firm "wants Chinese consumers to know this brand as Modern Gentleman, to see that this brand represents grace and style."

MG was originally founded in 1923 by Brit Cecil Kimber who used to be the manager of Morris Garages, but the only thing that will remain the same for MG since being taken over by Nanjing is the classic octagon logo. This is sure to be sad news for UK businessman David James, whose Kimber Group lost out to Nanjing in its attempt to buy parts of Rover.


Link zum Original-Artikel: Klick



Der neue Inhalber von MG die Nanjing Automobile Group hat entschieden, die Bedeutung der bekannten Initialen zu ändern das soll helfen, die Marke in ihrer Heimat zu promoten. MG stand für Morris Garages, soll aber zukünftig für "Modern Gentleman" stehen. Zhang Xin von Nanjing glaubt dadurch Attraktivität und Stil der Marke den chinesischen Kunden besser vermitteln zu können.

MG wurde 1923 von Cecil Kimber gegründet und geleitet. Das Einzige, was nach der Übernahme durch Nanjing bestehen bleibt, ist das klassische Logo in Form eines Oktagons. Das sind sicher schlechte Nachrichten für den UK Geschäftsmann David James, dessen Kimber Group, beim Versuch Teile von Rover zu erwerben, Nanjing unterlegen war.

baueran: Cecil Kimber verkaufte über seine Firma Morris Garages die normalen Werksautos der Firma Morris. Er begann, die eher biederen Morris-Fahrzeuge auf Kundenwunsch zu veredeln und für die damaligen Verhältnisse Sportwagen daraus zu machen. Morris ließ ihn gewähren, weil dies einen positiven Effekt auf das Image der Fahrzeuge von Morris hatte.

[Angus]

'Could a new Rover be headed for the production line after all? Last autumn, Ford paid £11m to BMW for rights to the Rover name, beating SAIC, the chinese firm that had bought the old Rover assets.

Cash-strapped Ford was simply acting in defence; it feared SAIC would launch a new series of Rovers that would rival it own cars. Having bought the name, Ford said it would sit on the shelf.

All the more curious, then, that when asked last week at the Detroit Auto Show whether Ford had any plans to use the Rover marque, Lewis Booth, chairman of Ford Europe said "I won't answer a question about that.'

It was unusual for the straight-talking Booth.So will ford bring back Rover as a milder, greener model alongside its gas-guzzling Land Rovers? What this space.

The Times, 14.01.2007


Aus dem Inhalt:
Die Frage: Was macht Ford mit den Rechten an der Marke Rover?
Die Antwort von Chairman Lewis Booth (Ford Europe): "Ich beantworte keine Frage zu diesem Thema."
Möglicherweise bringt Ford künftig unter dem Namen "Rover" harmlose Fahrzeuge unterhalb der Marke Land Rover auf den Markt.

[baueran]

Date: 9th February 2007
Source: just-auto.com
Nanjing plans one-model MG roadster range

Date: 9th February 2007
Source: pocket-lint.co.uk
Rover RDX60 prototype found in Longbridge storeroom

Date: 6th February 2007
Source: cctv.com
SAIC launches sales of Roewe, its home grown car of of British style

[Angus]

SAIC "ROEWE" - Qualitätsprobleme?

Keine Anregung zur unendlichen Diskussion -ich stell'S aus rein informativen Gründen hier rein:
Diskutiert wird im chinesischen Autoforum über die Qualität des "Roewe 750", als offensichtliches Beispiel wurden die enorm großen Spaltmaße bei der Präsentation der Marke und des Modells vor kurzem angeführt, kann sich jeder selbst ein Bild von machen:

[baueran]

Some news - bitte auf den Titel klicken, um den Original-Artikel zu öffnen

1. The MG Owners' Club support resumption of new MG / Der MG Owners' Club unterstützt die Wiedergeburt von MG.

2. What's Next? Nanjing MG-Rover Brochure / Was kommt als Nächstes? Nanjing MG-Rover Prospekt

Ich unterstelle, daß die Namenskombination "MG-Rover" in der zweiten Headline aus bekannten Gründen (Rover-Markenrechte gingen an Ford) fehl am Platz ist - eigentlich muß es nur "MG" heißen.

NAC MG hat im oben zitierten Prospekt einige Bilder von klassischen MG Fahrzeugen, sowie einigen "Designstudien" veröffentlicht. Es könnte sich bei folgenden Bildern lediglich um den Vesuch handeln, das Thema MG zu interpretieren ohne davon jetzt ein Serienmodell ableiten zu wollen. Andererseits wäre es schon möglich, daß sich Details in einem neu entwickelten Modell wiederfinden. Ich stelle diese Bilder mal "wertfrei" hier rein.
Grüsse
baueran

Direkt zum NAC MG Prospekt

Bitte beachten, dass dieser Thread ausschliesslich für das posten von News genutzt wird.
Diskussionen über die News bitte in dem Thread "MG Rover-News Gesprächsecke" führen!

Please note, that this thread is only used for posting news.
Please discuss any news related in thread "MG Rover-News Gesprächsecke"!

[Angus]

MG TF undergoing final testing in China

FOLLOWING the recently NAC-MG affirmation that Longbridge would be central to the company's global strategy, and that production of the popular TF model is to resume imminently, it now looks like the model is actually already being built, writes Ash Sutcliffe.

According to the recent announcement, Nanjing plans to build a domestic industrial base, and use the Longbridge factory as a means to open up international markets. According to these spy photos, NAC-MG may have already implemented the TF plan. In China, the left hand drive model has already passed homologation tests, and can go on the market at any time. Also the British versions can also enter the markets in the UK.

Reports in China suggest that the new car has already undertaken extensive testing, although these models depicted in the pictures have already attracted criticism for their outdated detailing...

By ASH SUTCLIFFE, China Car Times, austin-rover.co.uk, 14.02.2007

[daf]

Ich glaube die Bilder der gelinkten Seite wurde hier im Forum noch nicht veröffentlicht  :

http://www.xpower-mg.com/gallery/

Wenn ja, dann bitte löschen.

[baueran]

Chinese Automaker To Revive the Solid Old Austin Brand
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=119695

Rover workers' cash forces DTI cuts
http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/birminghampost/news/tm_headline=rover-workers--cash-forces-dti-cuts&method=full&objectid=18665626&siteid=50002-name_page.html

[AC-3EX]

China-Golf kommt als Roewe

"Unter dem Markennamen Roewe präsentiert der chinesische Hersteller SAIC einen Nachfolger des Rover 25. Der kompakte Viersitzer basiert auf dem Prototyp RDX60, den Rover kurz vor seinem Ende fertiggestellt hatte. Die Chinesen haben den Golf-Konkurrenten nur wenig verändert und wollen ihn demnächst bauen. Ebenfalls in Aussicht: eine Stufenhecklimousine. Beide Modelle sind zunächst für den chinesischen Markt bestimmt. SAIC hatte nach dem Zusammenbruch von MG Rover 2005 die Designrechte an den Modellen 25 und 75 gekauft."


Das Bild in der Autobild entspricht diesem hier, nur sind dort Roewe-Logos anstelle der MG Badges.

Quelle: Autobild 09/07

[T-Cat]

Mehr vom 2004 bereits als Golf-Konkurrent vorgestellten New-Z und jetzt von den Chinesen erweiterter Modellpalette hier:

http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/rdx60gallery2f.htm

[Angus]

Phoenix 4's help to Nanjing

Mar 2 2007, ic Birmingham

By Jon Griffin, Birmingham Mail

FORMER MG Rover boss John Towers today claimed his Phoenix consortium had played a key
role in helping Nanjing to bring Longbridge back from the dead.

The 'Phoenix Four' apparently felt so responsible for the disastrous collapse of the factory with
6,500 job losses, that they spent the last 18 months working unpaid to provide crucial
information to assist the car factory's rebirth.

When approached by the Birmingham Mail following a tip from an inside source, Towers
authorised a detailed statement confirming the close links with the Chinese car firm, who
bought Longbridge for £53 million in July 2005.

The statement said Towers and his colleagues - Nick Stephenson, Peter Beale and John Edwards
- "decided to do everything they could to ensure that those assets were put to use at
Longbridge, and not just in China".

The statement went on: "Nanjing requested help from Phoenix in a number of areas, including
technical advice, sales and marketing, and introductions to people, dealers and supply chain.
"That assistance was willingly given in an unpaid capacity."

The Phoenix Four even kept their registered office and boardroom in the heart of the
Longbridge plant until recent weeks so that they were close at hand to assist Nanjing.
Although the Phoenix office at Longbridge has now been closed, Nick Stephenson is still
providing "ongoing technical help" to Nanjing both in China and Britain.

The statement from the Phoenix directors goes on to attack the Department for Trade and
Industry for "not lifting a finger" to help the Chinese resume car production.
"Meanwhile, the delayed DTI inquiry is still set to turn the spotlight on the Phoenix Four for
their role in the collapse of Longbridge.

The four have been widely criticised for awarding themselves a £12.7 million trust fund whilst
MG Rover racked up huge losses of hundreds of millions of pounds.
Unions and workers roundly condemned the four for feathering their own nests after the car
firm finally closed in April 2005, with liabilities of more than £1 billion.

But today's Phoenix statement added: "Without the help of PVH directors in the early stages of
the [Nanjing] project, there would have been no prospect of production resuming at
Longbridge.

"The DTI in particular have been conspicuous by their absence."
The Mail's inside source said: "Everywhere you turn, you get Stephenson. The Phoenix Four, via
Qu Li of China Ventures, are running the place.

"Nanjing is responsible for the actions of its agents and advisers. Still hiding in the shadows are
Nick Stephenson, the others in the Phoenix Four and Qu Li."

Northfield MP Richard Burden said: "My hope is that the DTI inquiry is as thorough as it possibly
can be. There is still the outstanding issue of the commitment that they made to the trust fund
for the employees which nobody has seen anything of.

"They have claimed that they are not willing to do anything about that until the inquiry is
finished. I simply do not accept that. They made the commitment and they should carry that
through."

A DTI spokeswoman said: "Our inquiry is ongoing. We would hope it is completed as quickly as
possible."

[Angus]

Nanjing sources cars for museum

In recent months, Nanjing Automotive Corporation (NAC) have given us ample proof of how seriously they take the heritage of MG and the other marques they own. This was further endorsed recently when a hand-picked number of top condition cars representing MG, Austin, Austin-Healey and Morris were sourced for a dedicated museum at Nanjing's new factory complex in China.

Responsibility for sourcing the cars in the UK fell to Stephen Cox, NAC Sales and Franchising Manager. The objective was to acquire significant models from each of the respective marques, the criteria being that the cars should be of museum/concours standard and in excellent mechanical condition. As MG Enthusiast went to press, 10 cars were already on board ship and making their way to China. On arrival, Nanjing personnel will be briefed on the cars' operations and maintenance.

Although the cars will have their permanent home at the Nanjing Museum, they are also likely to be seen in other locations as Nanjing promote their brands in major centres. Initially, this is expected to be MG although there are also strong indications of a return for the Austin brand.And while there is always a hint of domestic sadness when a fine car leaves the UK, these cars will surely be playing a vital role in MG's growth, just as the thousands of export models did in Abingdon's heyday.

The cars so far purchased for the museum include:

1937 MG TA - A totally restored car representing the T-series of MGs. This is a narrow wing model, exquisitely rebuilt over a seven year period.

1937 MG SA - Representing the high quality touring range from MG, this SA is a rare variant with a three position Tickford drophead.

1959 MGA 1600 - The high volume MGA that built on the achievements of the T-series in the USA and represents MG's first modern idiom sports car.

1966 MGB - Fittingly, given the model's huge USA success, this is a repatriated ex-California car in BRG with the standard steel wheels.

1968 MG 1300 - The hugely successful MG variant of the Issigonis 1100/1300 series is a late example finished in Tartan Red.

1968 MGC GT - The return of a 6-cylinder engine to the MG range saw a model that was an exceptional grand touring car that became the final Abingdon Works car in GTS guise.

1931 Austin 7 RL - Representing the early days of Longbridge and Herbert Austin's 'Motor for the Millions' is the immortal Austin 7, here in RL guise.

1957 Austin-Healey 100-6 - Another ex-USA export in the classic two-tone paint finish of Old English White over British Racing Green, typical of the Austin-Healey range.

1959 Austin-Healey Sprite - The 'Frogeye' was a true minimalist sports car of immense popularity and the genesis of future Sprites and Midgets. This highly original example is in Cherry Red.

1960 Morris Minor Convertible - Representing one of the most-loved and successful British cars of the post-war era is the Morris Minor 1000 in its sought-after convertible guise. 


SOURCE: MG Enthusiast Magazine

Aus dem Inhalt:
NAC-MG beginnt eine Sammlung historischer Fahrzeuge aufzubauen um sie in einem separaten Museum im Anschluss an das neue MG-Werk in Nanjing zu präsentieren. Die bisherige Sammlung umfasst die unten genannten Modelle (und nicht nur MGs).

[Angus]

Nanjing Automobile Corporation (NAC)(UK) has appointed former Lotus and Volvo marketer Gary Hagan as sales and marketing director as it gears up to launch MG branded cars across Europe later this year.

Hagan joins from Lotus in the US, where he held several senior marketing and management positions. He is also a former Volvo North America marketer.

Hagan, who will report to NAC UK managing director Richard Ji, joins in the final stages of an advertising pitch that started earlier this year (MW January 11). The company is expected to appoint an agency to handle the multi-million-pound account later this month.

MG Rover's £21m advertising account was previously handled by St Luke's and before Hagan's appointment, the advertising pitch was being run by Nanjing's sales and franchise manager Stephen Cox.

Nanjing, China's oldest carmaker, bought the British assets of MG Rover, including the MG name and the carmaker's Longbridge plant, in July 2005. It plans to launch MG-branded cars in Europe and China in July.

It has been claimed that the company is aiming to sell 90,000 cars across Europe by 2009. It is thought that Nanjing will relaunch the MG brand with modified versions of two existing models, the MG ZF and the MG ZT-T, in July.

The Coupe, the Halo sports car and new "lower medium car" are expected to follow in 2008, with two new models in 2009.

MG is believed to have lined up about 95 dealers in the UK and a further 260 across Europe."


Marketing Week Magazine 08/03/2007


Aus dem Inhalt:
-NAC hat den früheren Lotus- und Volvo-Marketingspezialisten Gary Hagan als Marketing Direktor berufen
-Bis 2009 sollen 90.000 Fahrzeuge in Europa verkauft werden
-Das Coupe, Sportwagen und das neue Modell der unteren Mittelklasse sollen in 2008 auf den Markt kommen, zwei komplett neue Modelle in 2009
-MG soll bereits 95 Händler in GB unter Vertrag haben sowie 260 im weiteren Europa