Roewe 550 unveiled to be MG Badged

JohnDotCom · 24th April 2008, 14:22

Roewe 550 unveiled

Chinese firm reveals Ford Focus rival that's set to be built in Britain.

</H2>

Auto Express Car Reviews

Text: Mat Watson / Photos: Guy Bird

22nd April 2008

This is the car which will put MG back on the map – in Birmingham. It’s called the Roewe 550, but Auto Express can exclusively reveal that an MG-badged version is on its way, and is likely to be made at Longbridge.
The 550 has been designed to appeal to British buyers – the lines were penned by a team of leading UK stylists working for Roewe’s owner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). The Chinese firm recently bought NAC MG, and is now looking to use the famous octagon logo to give it a slice of the lucrative European market, as SAIC has decided not to bring the Roewe badge here. A car based on the 550 will be the first MG to go on sale.
It’s a saloon that’s roughly similar in size to Ford’s Focus, and should cost about the same, too. The sharp lines follow closely from last year’s Roewe W2. But the roadgoing version, which will go on sale in China next month with a 1.8-litre turbo-charged petrol engine, has a new slatted grille. Inside the modern theme continues, with a curved dash and two-tone finish that’s similar to the BMW 3-Series. However, it’s highly unlikely that the Roewe’s build quality will be anywhere near a match for the German machine.
But building the MG version at Longbridge – which has had £39million of investment ploughed into it by NAC MG, and still retains a small but experienced workforce – should ensure this model will deliver the quality demanded by European buyers.
Before the Birmingham plant returns to mass production, it will be used to assemble small numbers of the TF. There had been speculation this plan had been scrapped, but an NAC MG official told Auto Express that things are back on track, and TFs are likely to start rolling out of the factory gates within the next six months.

windrush · 24th April 2008, 15:20

It will very nice to see Longbridge back on full production but this seems to be going on and on maybe this time?

JohnDotCom · 24th April 2008, 15:22

Now SAIC owns the whole lot we should see things starting to move rapidly I hope.
The MG7 is now rolling out in China so lets hope not long for us to wait in UK.

Tatts · 24th April 2008, 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

Now SAIC owns the whole lot

It's still SAIC/NACMG though isn't it, it was a merger, not a takeover as such?

That 550 is based on the RDX60 IIRC?

I'm not sold on the nose & front lights but apart from that, looks 'ok' so far.

Wonder what engines are going in it.

JohnDotCom · 24th April 2008, 15:33

Quote:

Wonder what engines are going in it.

It says 1.8 Litre Turbo in Post Above from Auto Express.

Tatts · 24th April 2008, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

It says 1.8 Litre Turbo in Post Above from Auto Express.

Just the one engine then?

For the UK and European market, it should be offered with an LPG fit too.

Roger1 · 26th April 2008, 07:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

Now SAIC owns the whole lot we should see things starting to move rapidly I hope.
The MG7 is now rolling out in China so lets hope not long for us to wait in UK.

My local MG Rover dealer is currently in China negotiating a deal for the new models - including the Roewe 750 rebadged as an MG apparently! I have seen a photo of the 750 - i.e. facelift 75 version, with MG badges.

Westfield or 75 · 26th April 2008, 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger1

My local MG Rover dealer is currently in China negotiating a deal for the new models - including the Roewe 750 rebadged as an MG apparently! I have seen a photo of the 750 - i.e. facelift 75 version, with MG badges.

Feel free to post the pic or a link to it then please !!!

JohnDotCom · 26th April 2008, 19:43

Till everything is set in Stone, and after due consideration,
We are going to leave the Two separate threads for the Immediate Future.
Thanks for all the PM's.

Roger1 · 29th April 2008, 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westfield or 75

Feel free to post the pic or a link to it then please !!!

Yes, I'd love to, but can't remember where it was. I think it was on You tube. I'm going to have a hunt. Here's one though with the V8/CDTi type grill.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...60154.2-lg.jpg

24th April 2008, 14:22	#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	Roewe 550 unveiled to be MG Badged Roewe 550 unveiled Chinese firm reveals Ford Focus rival that's set to be built in Britain. </H2> Auto Express Car Reviews Text: Mat Watson / Photos: Guy Bird 22nd April 2008 This is the car which will put MG back on the map – in Birmingham. It’s called the Roewe 550, but Auto Express can exclusively reveal that an MG-badged version is on its way, and is likely to be made at Longbridge. The 550 has been designed to appeal to British buyers – the lines were penned by a team of leading UK stylists working for Roewe’s owner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). The Chinese firm recently bought NAC MG, and is now looking to use the famous octagon logo to give it a slice of the lucrative European market, as SAIC has decided not to bring the Roewe badge here. A car based on the 550 will be the first MG to go on sale. It’s a saloon that’s roughly similar in size to Ford’s Focus, and should cost about the same, too. The sharp lines follow closely from last year’s Roewe W2. But the roadgoing version, which will go on sale in China next month with a 1.8-litre turbo-charged petrol engine, has a new slatted grille. Inside the modern theme continues, with a curved dash and two-tone finish that’s similar to the BMW 3-Series. However, it’s highly unlikely that the Roewe’s build quality will be anywhere near a match for the German machine. But building the MG version at Longbridge – which has had £39million of investment ploughed into it by NAC MG, and still retains a small but experienced workforce – should ensure this model will deliver the quality demanded by European buyers. Before the Birmingham plant returns to mass production, it will be used to assemble small numbers of the TF. There had been speculation this plan had been scrapped, but an NAC MG official told Auto Express that things are back on track, and TFs are likely to start rolling out of the factory gates within the next six months. Last edited by JohnDotCom; 24th April 2008 at 14:45..

24th April 2008, 15:20	#2
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	It will very nice to see Longbridge back on full production but this seems to be going on and on maybe this time? __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

24th April 2008, 15:22	#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	Now SAIC owns the whole lot we should see things starting to move rapidly I hope. The MG7 is now rolling out in China so lets hope not long for us to wait in UK.

26th April 2008, 19:43	#9
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	Till everything is set in Stone, and after due consideration, We are going to leave the Two separate threads for the Immediate Future. Thanks for all the PM's.