Auto Shanghai 2011 : MG woos UK Dealers with Five-Year Plan

Words and Photographs: Headline Auto 

MG flying the glag in Shanghai
MG: flying the flag in Shanghai

Among the visitors to Auto Shanghai was a group of UK -based MG Dealers who were in the city as guests of  SAIC Motor and they were given the low-down on the marque’s product plans for the next five years. 

Central to that was the launch at the show of the MG Concept 5, a forerunner to the production model that will spearhead the marque’s drive into overseas markets alongside the MG3 and MG6 

The Dealers were told that long term plans include a new sports car which would have to be rear-wheel drive, ‘to invoke the spirit of the MGB’. It would be 2016 at the earliest before this car is launched since feasibility studies are only just beginning. 

However, before then, a crossover to rival the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai is pencilled in for 2014 as is a replacement for the MG7 which will be built off the same platform as the Vauxhall Insignia since SAIC Motor has access to GM technology through its Chinese joint venture. 

This JV will also see a new family of 1.0-1.5 litre engines developed. Hybrids and EVs are also in the pipeline with the all-electric EP11, based on SAIC Motor’s E1 Concept unveiled at the Shanghai show, due to debut in October 2013. This will have both slow and rapid recharging. 

[Source: Headline Auto

Keith Adams

8 Comments

  1. Well, if the production version of the Concept 5 looks like that, the car will fly off the shelves – it’s a lot better looking than a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf.

  2. I would buy a production version of the MG Concept 5 to replace the wife’s car. I hope the final version is not watered down when it’s launched because I think this looks fantastic.

  3. Hmm! That’s a good-looking car, which could really shake up the C-segment Ford Focus/Vauxhall Astra/Volkswagen Golf class. I only hope that SAIC Motor launch it soon, with the right engine mix (TDi – Shanghai!!) and at the right price. These things aside, this looks very, very promising…

  4. Rather nice, although the lack of glass side and rear probably makes for much reduced visibility. I bet a 3-door version would look great.

  5. The MG Concept 5’s front wing edges might not get through NCAP pedestrian safety requirements unless modified for the production version. It’s a shame they smoothed over the inevitable pressing/bumper joints.

    The MG3 logo hasn’t got the Union flag quite right – like a lot of the imported tat being sold for the Royal Wedding…

    A SsangYong rebadging exercise was expected, but are there elements of the 2014 MG SUV in this Buick Envision SUV Concept which was designed by GM’s Pan Asia Technical Automotive Centre (PATAC) and Shanghai GM and was also revealed for the first time at Auto Shanghai?

    Note the Shanghai GM origins and the MG styling cues such as the under sidelight “snouts”, flares along the lower doorsides and a rear threequarter similar to the MG Concept 5…

    Finally, given that MG is clearly going for a more “edgy/modern” image instead of a style which traditional Rover owners might be comfortable with and that Roewe as a brand name is unlikely to come to the UK and Europe, is there anything to be read into the presence of an Austin 7 on the stand at Auto Shanghai?

  6. Do you think the ‘other’ company will try to sue SAIC Motor over how much the first photograph looks like their original display at Cowley???

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