MG is a British car brand that was born in 1924 in Longbridge (Birmingham, England). He did it from the hand of William Morris, and his hallmark is the convertible two-seater models, although in his range, there is also room for saloons, coupes, and now for electric SUVs.
Revive the Spirit of Classic Motoring: Immerse Yourself in MG Car History
Known as MG Motor UK Limited or MG Motor, its origins must be found in Morris Garage. It was there that William hired Cecil Kimber as sales director: the brand encompassed more than 50% of the local market, and, conscious of the success, Kimber applied his knowledge of body design and construction to produce improved and sporty versions of those models. Thus, on May 1, 1924, the brand and its well-known octagon-shaped logo were officially registered.
One of the first models to roll off the production lines was the MG K3 Magnette that emerged triumphant at the Mille Miglia. With World War II, hundreds of American soldiers were posted to the United Kingdom where they encountered the MG T-Type, MG TD and MG TF that they imported to the United States.
50’s
In 1952, MG was taken over by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and three years after that, they launched the MG A. In 1956, the MG ZB Magnette was the turn, which offered an attractive design, ease of handling, and comfortable space for four.
60’s
MG still retained its popularity in the UK, something the Royal Family contributed to when, in 1962, Prince Charles showed up with an MG B, the successor to the MG A. Meanwhile, BMC took over with Jaguar Cars and changed its name to British Motor Holdings before joining Leyland Motor Corporation in 1968 to form British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC). A consortium that, in 1975, would be partially nationalized.
70’s
Between 1970 and 1972, the MG 1300 was manufactured using fibreglass instead of steel to avoid corrosion of the models circulated in coastal areas.
The 80s and 90s
The decade began with the closure of the Abingdon factory. After that, the turmoil started in MG’s journey: in 1986, BL became the Rover Group and owner of the brand passed to British Aerospace in 1988 and BMW in 1994. Despite this, in 1983, the MG Metro gave the baton to the MG Maestro: a compact five-door that had a somewhat more performance version known as the MG Maestro Turbo. Shortly after, in 1990, they gave birth to FGM.
The 2000 effect on MG
While the whole world waited, with curiosity, for the arrival of the 2000 effect, MG lived mired in its problems. The MG Rover Group had bought the brand from BMW to recover its essence and tradition, but the financial situation was unsustainable. Not even the MG TF avoided the chronicle of a death announced in 2005.
SAIC Motor
Two years later, SAIC Motor, a Chinese manufacturer, acquired MG to give it a new impetus by resuming production at the Longbridge plant. With the returned sports engines as a new beginning for the MG TF and its evolution, the MG F. Both were followed by the compact MG ZR and the MG ZT saloon.
It did not take long to notice the influence of SAIC because, in 2012, they presented the MG 3, and in 2017, the first SUV of the brand arrived: the MG GS. By then, the production of all the cars of the British brand had moved to the plant in China. Little by little, MG was consolidating its presence in the SUV segment with the arrival of MG ZS and MG RX5. The next step has been the brand’s electrification and the return to Europe after a fifteen-year absence.
