Chinese automaker Nanjing Automobile Group — which took over Britain’s MG after its collapse in 2005 — plans to build a factory in Ardmore, Oklahoma to builds the next-generation TF coupe, the company announced today. A new research and development center will also be set up at the University of Oklahoma. As previously rumored, MG’s Longbridge plant in the U.K. will be used to build the roadster version of the TF. Nanjing plans to build between 12,000 and 16,000 TFs per year. About 60 percent of TF output for the world will come from the United States, while 40 percent will come from Europe. The automaker will also use a third plant in China to build MG sedans. The new MG cars will go on sale in the United States in early summer 2008, the automaker said.
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07/12, 8:52 AM
posted by:
Atomicbri
Wow now this is a real turn of events for the MG brand. I never thought the new owners would have even considered selling MGs here, much less build them! I have always wished MG would have imported the TF, but sadly it never happened. I hope a new one is in development since this one is around 15 or so years old already.
07/12, 9:03 AM
posted by:
ss
looks like a watered down caymen…or the caymen is a spiced up tf. priced right i think it will sell really well. 08 is going to be a good year with MG and Alfa coming back!
07/12, 9:22 AM
posted by:
Mike
I have a ‘52 MG TD sitting in my garage… and have dreams to pick up a delapidated MGA to tube frame and drop in a crate v8…
Good news indeed!
07/12, 9:44 AM
posted by:
Adam
it looks to me like a someone decided to make a nicer looking version of a late-model cavalier.
this isn’t intended as an insult. it’s hard to get a good sense of scale on the thing.
07/12, 9:49 AM
posted by:
Team Sanctuary
All right! My stable includes a ‘68 ‘B GT, a ‘75 MGB (Rover V8 conversion) and a ‘73 Midget, race prepped. We’ve slalom raced, rallied, and loved the octagonal marque for many years…and I’m close enough to visit the factory. I sure hope they can keep the “fun” factor that made MG “the people’s Ferrari”.
07/12, 9:56 AM
posted by:
Mike
I LOVE the B GT… people think that the VW GTI was the first hot hatch.
How much work have you put into your MGB’s? I have heard some horror stories about them
07/12, 10:34 AM
posted by:
Thing2
The front looks like a Hyundai Tibureon…..not the best example of the new MGs I’ve seen.
07/12, 10:47 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Great. Let’s welcome our Chinese overlords with some nice Chop suey. :-/
/me loads shotgun…
07/12, 10:50 AM
posted by:
pd
Isn’t this a re-body of the failed QVALE MANGUSTA,in other words a really expensive Mustang.
07/12, 11:24 AM
posted by:
JCwhitless
Any idea what the price point is on this? I wonder if it will be in the 17-23K range or the 30-40K range.
If they wanted to do it right they would start on the floor and build the brand up. I’m talking manual windows, 100k warranty, heater, key, and radio.
All for under 11K
07/12, 11:32 AM
posted by:
Nick
a Chinese company building Brittish cars in America… This is a little odd to me seeing as most companies are outsourcing and building factories in China because it’s cheaper to build stuff there.
07/12, 11:36 AM
posted by:
Greg
Look out North American Automotive market. When China starts selling cars here, look out. You thought GM had it bad now……
07/12, 12:29 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
#11: I think there are a lot of advantages to this arrangement for Nanjing Automotive.
1) Nanjing has an instant brand name that is “sellable”. Trying to sell a car with a chinese label would be the equivalent of Hyundais first spending years (closer to a decade) of trying to build a brand. Hyundai’s are still getting better, but have a long way to go before all the jokes about begin crapmobiles subside.
2) It allows a chinese company to sell cars at a cheaper price without having to worry as much on import tariffs.
3) Good PR: You don’t give the “we’re stealing jobs away from americans” impression.
In short, the is the fastest way for a chinese auto maker to penetrate the U.S. market without setting off too many red flags for both lawmakers and consumers (no pun intended).
Actually, I have to say the Chinese are pretty smart with this strategy…Because it basically is the strategy that Honda, Toyota, Nissan adopted to minimize Japan bashing…Except they’re doing this from the get go. Second, it’s smart that the Chinese recognize that trying to sell a car they build under their own brand name would take years if not decades to be accepted by american consumers.
My gut is that the parts are going to be fabricated in China. Assembly with be mostly US…Hopefully, this will mean a extremely competively priced product. Particularly since it won’t be built by UAW (I hope).
07/12, 1:06 PM
posted by:
kmoney
Cue the “Hallelujah” music althought wouldnt it be more efficient to build all three here or the sedan and coupe here and the spyder in England, to keep some sort of Britishness. Rather than building 3 bodystyles in three countrys far away from eachother.
07/12, 3:12 PM
posted by:
Darren
have to check the price range, features, dealer networks, warranties, only considered as a retire second car!
07/12, 6:23 PM
posted by:
Mitch
Not another asain comp.
07/12, 7:27 PM
posted by:
Jonas
looks kinda like the 2nd gen eclipse
07/13, 3:04 AM
posted by:
vicious6
Wonderful, more import crap….
07/13, 12:18 PM
posted by:
Cartman
A British car built with American labor under the direction of the Chinese. This will either be a smash hit or watershed automotive disaster….
07/14, 12:25 AM
posted by:
V’duv Kux Klan
Wow im glad they are bringing MG over the U.S. Id be please to go anc check one of this fine British piece of art, this is what we need, real cars for the U.S. not just all that American crap
07/14, 7:02 PM
posted by:
Brian
I own a 62 MGA MkII and would love a big Healy, or a 356, but as for “all that American crap”, I disagree. The American Car has improved over time. Jags are spending less time in the shop.
British Leyland and the Brit unions destroyed the Brit car industry, and UAW, with Big 3 management, almost destroyed ours. It seems to me the whole deal resulted from a war and mutual loathing between labor and mangement, on both sides of the pond. I knew guys who worked in UAW shops and told horror stories of undertorqued or missing flywheel bolts, half done upholsetery, and you better buy a car built on a Wednesday of a non holiday work week.
Anyway I have come to love The American Car and would love to add a ‘64 GTO or a ‘62 Chevy 409 to my garage. No they don’t go well except in a straight line but conversely the ‘A is no dragster. But all of them had great LOOKS. Oh well, dream on….
07/15, 1:30 AM
posted by:
China Law Blog
This whole thing strikes me as very strange. Is it possible the Chinese are just saying they will be doing this so as to gain political points in the U.S. for now?
http://www.chinalawblog.com
07/15, 5:43 PM
posted by:
Larry Everitt
What a wonderful addition to the lovely town of Ardmore, Ok. Oklahomans should be proud of everyone who worked so hard to put this deal together. Particularly with Marc Nuttle and his lovely wife of Norman Ok.who not only worked endless hours, but entertained the Chinese dignitaries in their home on numerous occasions
07/16, 1:57 PM
posted by:
My Cantonese Speaking Former Girlfriend
We told you they are COMPETITIVE.
07/16, 2:00 PM
posted by:
Late But Not Too Late
#21, “Kings of The East”, my friend. It is no joke.
07/16, 2:02 PM
posted by:
Late But Not Too Late
Please sir? Bring back the Mark IV? ~humble Oriental bow~
07/28, 8:46 AM
posted by:
the black China hand » Blog Archive » Gung Ho
[...] Nanjing to build MG plant in Oklahoma, sell cars in U.S. [...]
03/19, 2:08 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Who’s Admin? that’s a wierd name…