Rover Name Provisionally sold to Chinese.

JohnDotCom · 11th January 2008, 12:52

I see from a Translation Post today sent from NAG site, and on Auto Express News Release that the Rover Name has been Purchased by the Chinese Group Provisionally from Ford and the Rowe Name will be dropped and the Rover Badge Installed in its Place.
Don't know if that is Good or Bad News.

CDTi · 11th January 2008, 12:58

WOW - this is news, John

Could be good for Longbridge in the medium to long term with a bit of luck.

JohnDotCom · 11th January 2008, 13:04

I have reports and Photos of Two new "Rover" Models to be released,
just awaiting Translations.

ikorodu · 13th January 2008, 04:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

I have reports and Photos of Two new "Rover" Models to be released,
just awaiting Translations.

John, Can you post the photos!

Rob

CDTi · 13th January 2008, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by baxlin

I'm confused, why would this be good for Longbridge? I thought Roewe were in shanghai or wherever, and that the lot that make the MG7 are at Longbridge.

If I'm right, then the Roewe 750 would be badged Rover, in direct (and greater) competition with the MG7.

Or have I got it the "wrong way" round??

malcolm

NAC and SAIC have merged - or SAIC have taken over NAC, depending on how you look at it

This means that SAIC now effectively own Longbridge. SAIC are much richer than NAC, although they showed no interest in UK production before the sale back in 2005.

There are now many possible futures for Longbridge with SAICs deeper pockets - production of MG7/"Rover" 750 or new models completely.

We shall have to wait and see.

pondweed · 13th January 2008, 18:26

its going to be good news for retrofitting....!

SAICs deeper pockets are more likely to see them experiment with new niche markets like the Tourer body more quickly, perhaps?

baxlin · 14th January 2008, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDTi

NAC and SAIC have merged - or SAIC have taken over NAC, depending on how you look at it

Must have missed that - I read there were rumours, but I didn't know the "merger" had actually been done.

Ownership of the Rover brand makes sense, then.

bluey9 · 16th January 2008, 14:09

It sounds like good news. Although, I agree that Rover being a British brand with the hertiage to match it's sad that it will become Chinese in ownership. But, the owners may have scope for design, engineering and building of the cars to be in the UK.
If you look at so many brand names that are associated with certain countries it's easy to see that it's a global marketplace. With so many iconic British brands having gone overseas in the past it's fair to assume that Rover would have done likewise if they hadn't gone belly up in 2005.
I mean Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Mini and Bentley are all under "foreign" ownership.

It's better to see Rover come back from the dead than continue to fade into the annals of history.

Who knows? If it's in existence there is always a chance it could be British again, one day.

Ackel · 16th January 2008, 19:07

The merger of SAIC and Nanjing is old news but I haven't heard anything at all anywhere else about the Rover brand being sold to the Chinese! Really a scoop! If it's correct, which I doubt. Anyone out there who could give me a web link that would confirm this!?

/Ackel

GERFIX · 11th January 2008, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

Don't know if that is Good or Bad News.

That was my initial thought but looking on the bright side, at the very least it keeps the name alive (despite now being a "Chinese Brand").

11th January 2008, 12:52	#1
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Rover Name Provisionally sold to Chinese. I see from a Translation Post today sent from NAG site, and on Auto Express News Release that the Rover Name has been Purchased by the Chinese Group Provisionally from Ford and the Rowe Name will be dropped and the Rover Badge Installed in its Place. Don't know if that is Good or Bad News.

11th January 2008, 12:58	#2
CDTi This is my second home No longer in the MGR club Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tipperary Posts: 3,933 Thanks: 35 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	WOW - this is news, John Could be good for Longbridge in the medium to long term with a bit of luck. __________________ 'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

11th January 2008, 13:04	#3
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I have reports and Photos of Two new "Rover" Models to be released, just awaiting Translations.

13th January 2008, 18:26	#6
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	its going to be good news for retrofitting....! SAICs deeper pockets are more likely to see them experiment with new niche markets like the Tourer body more quickly, perhaps?

16th January 2008, 14:09	#8
bluey9 Banned 2004 Rover 75 2.0 CDTi Connoisseur Saloon, 2006 MG TF Spark 135, Jaguar XJ Sovereign TDVi Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Glasgow Posts: 805 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	It sounds like good news. Although, I agree that Rover being a British brand with the hertiage to match it's sad that it will become Chinese in ownership. But, the owners may have scope for design, engineering and building of the cars to be in the UK. If you look at so many brand names that are associated with certain countries it's easy to see that it's a global marketplace. With so many iconic British brands having gone overseas in the past it's fair to assume that Rover would have done likewise if they hadn't gone belly up in 2005. I mean Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls Royce, Mini and Bentley are all under "foreign" ownership. It's better to see Rover come back from the dead than continue to fade into the annals of history. Who knows? If it's in existence there is always a chance it could be British again, one day.

16th January 2008, 19:07	#9
Ackel Newbie MG ZT 190 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kalmar Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The merger of SAIC and Nanjing is old news but I haven't heard anything at all anywhere else about the Rover brand being sold to the Chinese! Really a scoop! If it's correct, which I doubt. Anyone out there who could give me a web link that would confirm this!? /Ackel