It has now been over three months since MG Rover collapsed and we still don’t really know what’s going to happen to it. We have a serious offer from the Chinese company Nanjing on the table, but as far as we can see at the moment, there is little likelihood that its executives are at Longbridge to save the historic factory.
In reality, continued production at Longbridge will probably be limited to MG – and that will be in limited quantities, and most likely, will end up being a great successm seeing the marque return to its natural stamping ground, the USA. It could be argued that MG’s message has been diluted of late, with the introduction of the ‘Zeds’, but that assertion couldn’t be further from the truth, especially in the world’s largest car market.
Car bearing the octagon badge are still well and truly revered over there – and it must be hoped that whoever buys the MG name produces advanced and achingly beautiful cars, such as the 1985 EX-E concept, as styled by Austin-Rover’s Canley design team, as headed by our own Roy Axe. As to whether this actually happens, or whether MG goes retro is entirely down to its new masters – one can only hope that retro is by-passed by the cutting edge. MG deserves it…
Keith Adams
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
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