The new MG6
The MG6 is a mid-size car built by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, derived from the Roewe 550 and hence distantly related to the Rover 75. It was initially announced in April 2009 at the Shanghai Auto Show as a hatchback and in October 2010 at Shanghai Expo as a 4-door saloon model.
The five-door hatchback, known as the MG6 GT, went on sale in the UK in May 2011, the saloon, known as the MG6 Magnette, went on sale on 16 July 2011.
The MG6 is the first of several models designed and assembled in the UK.
The MG6 is on the market from May and the estimated cost is in the region of £15,495 and £18,995.
The 1.8l petrol, turbo-charged MG6 has a maximum speed of 120mph (193km/h) and goes from 0-60mph in 8.4 seconds.
The Chinese automotive company SAIC’s decision to resume MG production in the UK will keep some 400 people in employment.
That is welcome news for UK, this is partly because China’s car makers have been too busy serving their booming home market to pay much attention to crowded and slow-growing markets in the US and Europe.
Eventually, however, the Chinese manufacturers will be focusing on global expansion.
When that happens, having a well-known brand such as MG with a long history of being produced in the UK might help the brand to get some market positioning.
SAIC, which is already one of the 10 largest car makers in the world, could also want to invest in the UK to take advantage of the skills on offer.The MG6 is the first of several models of this design and is assembled in the UK