SAIC to launch a new MG model each year

Shanghai, July 1 (Gasgoo.com) Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) has started to sell MG 3SW crossover in China, at a price ranging 79,800 yuan ($11,635) to 109,800 yuan. In each of the coming 5-8 years, the MG marque will have one model launched from any of its three platforms, said xinhuanet.com today, citing MG's general manager.

After acquiring Nanjing Auto, SAIC will readjust the strategic project of MG in the next 5-8 years. The MG project will focus on the MG3 Series, MG7 Series and MG TF follow-up products. Each year from 2009, a new MG model of the three platforms will be launched. The restructuring of the MG lineup will meet the SAIC standards and meanwhile the Chinese carmaker will highlight the MG brand design philosophy of passion and comfort.  

After buying British automaker MG Rover in 2005, Nanjing was taken over by fellow Chinese automaker SAIC, who in May said it hoped to begin building MG cars later this year. Now it looks like Nanjing has kept its promise, as the automaker has declared that a British-made MG TF will once again be available by early September.

The MG3 Series and MG7 Series will figure prominently in the future MG product portfolio. The MG7 will be built as corporate business vehicles, the MG3 as leisure family cars and the MG TF will represent the brand concept of passion and sport. The MG7 Series will dominate the MG brand's sales, followed by MG3 in the Cross segment.

Following the launch of MG 3SW in late June, the fashionable and dynamic MG3 is expected to go on sale later this year. The MG3 model to be sold in China will be driven by the same 1.4L and 1.8L engines as used in the MG3SW car.