Press Report : Pre-production MG6s now in build at MG Birmingham

Richard Bremner, Senior Contributing Editor, Autocar, 17th September, 2010

MG Motor is now building the first batches of pre-production MG6s at Longbridge as it ramps up for series production early next year when the hatchback goes on sale. MG had originally planned to launch the MG6 late this year, but has decided that a 2011 debut will have more impact.

Insiders say that the company may also continue to batch build the TF roadster into 2011, too. Build for this year has now stopped, with sales dropping off post-summer and Dealers having sufficient stocks to meet demand over the autumn and winter.

However, it’s thought that the full relaunch of the MG brand and MG6 in tandem could generate enough showroom traffic to justify producing another batch. That will probably be the last production run of the mid-engined sports car, which will then be 16 years old.

MG Motor plans a replacement for the TF, but that is several years away – the company is keen to gradually rebuild a presence in the UK and Europe with more mainstream sporting hatchbacks.

The MG6 is expected to be joined by an MG version of the smaller Roewe 350, prototype versions of which are testing in the UK, and a production version of the MG Zero supermini unveiled at the Beijing show earlier this year.

[Source: Autocar]

[Editor’s Note: A follower of MG Motor UK on Facebook® posted a link to the above article on the company’s Facebook® page this morning and asked “Is this true?” Doug Wallace, MG Motor UK’s PR Manager, gave the following response:”The MG6 is designed, engineered and will be built in Britain. Autocar tested a pre-production engineering car in April. MG Motor UK is currently gearing up for production of the new car which will go on sale next year. In the meantime, a right-hand drive MG6 with full UK specification will be shown at the two MPH featuring TopGear Live events in November. MGTFs are built in batches and a production run was completed recently. TFs are still available in dealerships. As always, plans for the MG6 launch and all other forthcoming product informtion will be found right here (on Facebook®)./Doug]

Clive Goldthorp

4 Comments

  1. Brilliant news – this is the future! The MG6 will revolutionise and reinvigorate the British car industry. Big up SAIC!

  2. I saw a white MG6 with four management-type blokes on board blasting down the M40 near Warwick last week. I have been a little critical of the MG6 in the past but, to be honest, now that I have seen it in the metal, it’s not bad looking.

    The car has the kind of road presence which you usually get with Mondeos and Passats etc. so, if it’s built well and they get the price right, it should sell. I don’t think it’s too late for MG to get back in the market. Let’s hope it brings some much needed jobs back to the West Midlands.

  3. The ‘base’ MG6 looks a little, well, weedy but this incarnation of the model looks good. All that’s needed now is an engine worthy of the looks (hopefully it rides and steers too) and I’ll be in the queue. All very promising.

  4. Simon Woodward :I saw a white MG6 with four management-type blokes on board blasting down the M40 near Warwick last week. I have been a little critical of the MG6 in the past but, to be honest, now that I have seen it in the metal, it’s not bad looking.
    The car has the kind of road presence which you usually get with Mondeos and Passats etc. so, if it’s built well and they get the price right, it should sell. I don’t think it’s too late for MG to get back in the market. Let’s hope it brings some much needed jobs back to the West Midlands.

    Think I’ve seen the same car and was also very impressed.

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