Morris Garages (MG) Motor, part of the SAIC Motor group, is setting up their car manufacturing facility in India
The MG brand started back in 1924 as a British racing sports brand and over the years gained popularity through their sports car and cabriolet models. The MG Car Club, established in 1930, claims to have over 10 lakh (one million) fans, making it one of the largest clubs for a single car brand in the world.
SAIC acquired MG in 2008 and has been designing and engineering new MG car models at their European and Global Design Centres. SAIC is a Chinese automobile giant which is aiming to become the third-biggest in the world by the year 2020. Apart from MG the company owns other auto brands like Roewe and Maxus. SAIC has successful partnerships with industry bigwigs like Volkswagen and General Motors.
The auto major’s last stint in India was with General Motors (GM) in 2010 and were to launch a bunch of car and CV models in India, but the plans couldn’t materialise back then. In fact, SAIC is in talks with GM India to take over the latter’s Halol, Gujarat plant.
The MG Motor India operations are slated to commence in 2019, and acquiring a car manufacturing facility with modern equipment will only help speed up things. In a statement SAIC Motor revealed that the company aims to deliver “environment friendly mobility solutions” under the MG brand. To cater to the changing needs of global customers SAIC is developing ‘New Energy Vehicles’.
“The introduction of the iconic British Sports Car Brand ‘MG’ in India is an important part of SAIC Motor’s global strategy. Our aim is to provide best-in-class vehicles, integrating sophisticated British design and quality, breakthrough product features and a pleasing ownership experience,” the company said in a statement.
The company also announced the appointment of Rajeev Chaba as the President and Managing Director of MG Motor India. Chaba is familiar with the Indian and Chinese auto industry and was the Managing Director for General Motors India from 2005 to 2007. Along with him another former GM India executive – P. Balendran will be joining as the Executive Director. SAIC is hopeful that their wide and varied experience in the auto sector will lead the company to a successful future in India.
