What Happens When The Chinese Buy An Iconic British Brand
Lotus may not have been sold to the Chinese (yet) but someone else was. And they’ve been making cars for over a year. Supposedly, they’re not bad to drive either.
When Rover went bust, it was picked up by SAIC, along with the MG nameplate. The car above, the MG 6, is a mix of old Rover and new Chinese technology. Cars are built in England and China, and it’s certainly attractive.
We haven’t driven it, but the reviews seem fairly consistent; it’s great to drive, but quality is poor enough to keep it from being a serious rival to class leaders in Europe like the Golf and Focus. Still, when Evo magazine calls a Chinese MG “ one of the best in its class to drive“, that says something. Apparently, the chief chassis engineer is a Lotus Exige driver.
More by Derek Kreindler
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MG by Honda Civic! Or some other generic car of the moment.
I see a LOT of these cars here in China. The picture doesn't really do it justice. It is a very good looking vehicle in it's class. Great lines and overall looks very appealing. The vehicle is cheap, but doesn't necessarily look it. On the other hand compared to most vehicles that are sold here in China by Chinese manufacturers, it's fairly safe. It has to meet Europe's crash standards. You should see them in the burnt orange metallic color they have here. Looks really good in that color.
It needs more marketing to really take off but this is a good start. By the way where does all this Lucas guff come from. It wasn't Lucas that made the wiring loom in the TR7 was it?
Poor build quality? Well... sounds like MG's new proprietors know more about British automotive tradition than we first thought!