MG is currently owned by SAIC Motor Corporation, a Chinese automaker, but it originated as a British automotive brand in the 1920s.
While the company has undergone several ownership changes over the years, it has always been associated with British automotive engineering and design.
Today, MG produces cars for the global market, including markets in Europe, Asia, and Australia, but its headquarters are in China.
So, while MG is no longer a British-owned brand, it still retains its British heritage and reputation for building stylish and affordable cars.
MG is a British automotive brand that is currently owned by a Chinese company, SAIC Motor.
The History of MG Cars: From British Roots to Chinese Ownership
MG (Morris Garages) is a British automotive brand that has a long and storied history, dating back to the early 1920s.
The company was founded by Cecil Kimber in 1924, and it quickly gained a reputation for building stylish, high-performance sports cars that were affordable for the average person.
In the 1930s, MG expanded its product lineup to include more practical models like the MG Magnette and the MG VA.
During World War II, the company shifted its focus to building military vehicles and equipment, but it resumed production of its civilian models in the postwar years.
In the 1950s and 60s, MG continued to build sports cars that were popular with enthusiasts around the world.
The iconic MG MGA, introduced in 1955, was followed by the MGB in 1962. The MGB became the best-selling British sports car of all time, with over half a million units sold.
However, the 1970s were a difficult decade for MG and the British automotive industry as a whole. The company struggled to keep up with changing market demands and increased competition from Japanese automakers.
In 1980, MG was purchased by British Leyland, which later became part of the Rover Group.
In the 1990s, MG underwent a series of ownership changes and struggled to remain competitive.
The company was sold to BMW in 1994, and then to the Phoenix Consortium in 2000. However, despite efforts to revitalize the brand, MG continued to struggle financially.
In 2005, MG Rover Group went into bankruptcy, and its assets were purchased by Nanjing Automobile Group, a Chinese automaker.
Nanjing resumed production of the MG TF sports car in 2007 and later introduced the MG 6 sedan and the MG 3 hatchback.
In 2011, Nanjing Automobile was acquired by SAIC Motor Corporation, another Chinese automaker.
Today, MG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAIC and continues to produce cars for the global market. While the brand's ownership may have changed, its heritage as a maker of stylish, affordable sports cars remains an important part of automotive history.
MG's acquisition by a Chinese company
MG's acquisition by a Chinese company happened in 2005, when Nanjing Automobile Group, a Chinese automaker, purchased the assets of MG Rover Group, the British automotive company that owned the MG brand at the time.
Nanjing Automobile Group resumed production of the MG TF sports car in 2007 and later introduced the MG 6 sedan and the MG 3 hatchback.
In 2009, Nanjing Automobile Group merged with SAIC Motor Corporation, another Chinese automaker, and MG became a wholly-owned subsidiary of SAIC.
Since the acquisition, SAIC has invested heavily in the MG brand and has focused on expanding its global reach.
Today, MG produces cars for markets around the world, including Europe, Asia, and Australia, and its reputation for building stylish and affordable vehicles has helped it to attract a growing number of customers.
The Manufacturing of MG Cars in China: Where the Production Happens
MG cars are primarily manufactured in China, where the company's parent company, SAIC Motor Corporation, is headquartered.
The company has several production facilities in China, including in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Chengdu.
The MG HS, MG EZS, and MG ZS models are produced at SAIC's manufacturing facility in Shanghai, which is one of the largest automobile factories in the world.
The plant has the capacity to produce over 600,000 vehicles per year and uses advanced manufacturing technologies, such as automated assembly lines and robotic welding.
The MG6 and MG5 models are produced at SAIC's plant in Nanjing, which is one of the company's oldest and most established manufacturing facilities.
The plant has been in operation since the 1940s and has a long history of producing cars for the Chinese market.
The MG EHS model is produced at SAIC's manufacturing facility in Chengdu, which is one of the company's newest and most advanced plants.
The plant uses advanced manufacturing technologies and has the capacity to produce over 200,000 vehicles per year.
SAIC's investment in manufacturing facilities and advanced technologies has helped to position MG as a competitive and innovative automaker in the global market.
What is an MG car called in Chinese?
In Chinese, MG is called "名爵" (míng jué), which literally means "famous and prestigious". The brand is also sometimes referred to as "英菲尼迪名爵" (yīng fēi ní dí míng jué), which translates to "Infiniti MG", as a nod to the brand's history and heritage as a maker of British sports cars.
The name "MG" is also often used in China, and the brand has become increasingly popular among Chinese consumers in recent years.