Chinese Cops Get MG7 Police Vehicles

Have you ever wondered what kind of vehicles do Chinese cops drive? Whilst many might rush to answer Ford Crown Victoria clones based on the Zinghai Ziouzitsou platform, Chinese cops at the Jiangsu Province recently received a new batch of Nanjing MG 7s. And if you’re wondering why, the reason is that the MG-ZT based MG 7 is built in the specific Chinese province. -More pics after the jump

Via: Chinacartimes , Pics via: xcar

China: Shanghai Automotive Buys Nanjing Auto

State-owned Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) has come to an agreement with Yuejin Motor Group (also state-owned…) to buy its Nanjing Automobile’s auto-assembly and component-making businesses. The deal, which is valued at 2.1 billion Yuan or approximately $286 million, will set Shanghai as one of the biggest players in China’s booming auto-industry. According to reports, the combined sales of Shanghai and Nanjing will surpass the 2 million units mark by 2010.

Of course a deal like this wouldn’t have been carried out without the consent of the all-mighty Chinese government who wants to see more mergers in China's fragmented passenger car market which kinda reminds the US and European car industry in the first half of the 20th century when there where like 50 or more independent car makers. -Continued

Interestingly, Nanjing Automobile owns MG Rover assets along with the right to the brand MG, while Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) obtained design rights for two Rover models including the 75 which it sells under the name Roewe.

MG Launches Rover 75 Based 7 Series In China

The former British built MG-ZT (sporty version of the BMW Groupe developed, Rover 75) has been officially launched in China as the MG 7 Series or, just MG7 for short. The models introduced to the Chinese market include three 160Hp 1.8-litre Turbo variants of the MG 7, and a flagship version, the MG7L which is equipped with a 2.5-litre V6 240 Hp powerplant. If you’re wondering what the “L” stands for, the MG7L is 200 mm longer than the standard MG7. Nanjing MG, who acquired the rights to build the car, said that in China, prices for the MG7 range from £12,600 to £22,260 ($25,500 to 45,700 or €18,000 to 32,400). -Continued after the jump

Commenting on the introduction of the MG 7, Nanjing MG’s sales director Yang Junhu said: “We are bringing British automotive culture to our country. Until now no other car from a British marque has been manufactured and sold in China. Today customers are becoming more demanding in terms of their requirements which we will be able to satisfy thanks to the different variants of the MG7.”

Ford buys Rover nameplate

"We feel it is in interests of our Land Rover business to have the Rover brand. We are acquiring it and we're not looking to sell it. We believe it is a valuable asset for us"

That's what a Ford spokesman told Reuters concerning the company's decision to exercise its right to buy the Rover brand name from BMW. What the spokesman didn't say is that Ford was "scared to death" when it heard that Chinese automakers SAIC and Nanjing (they have both brought the rights to manufacture former MG Rover models), where in contact with BMW to buy the Rover nameplate. Why? Well, imagine a Chinese made Rover SUV reminiscent of a Land Rover model...

Technorati Tags: Ford, Land+Rover, SAIC, Nanjing, PAG, Rover, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles,

BMW reaches an agreement to sell the "Rover" brand name

According to a report from Automotive News, BMW has reached an agreement to sell the rights of the Rover brand name. Although there has been no leak concerning the company's name, it is speculated that the main candidates are two Chinese automakers, both of whom are under state control (!). Nanjing Automobile which acquired MG Rover assets and the sportscar brand MG, and Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) owner of design rights to two Rover models including the 75

The newspaper states that a spokesman for BMW confirmed a report in the German financial daily newspaper, Handelsblatt stating, "A binding agreement was made".

Although it seems like a done deal, BMW will need to obtain Ford's consent due to legal issues as the latter owns Land Rover -acquired from the BMW Group a few years ago. Basically, this means that Ford will give its consent only if the future owner of Rover's name strictly avoids any conspicuous connections with SUV vehicles.

I think that Ford should be very, very, very cautious with this one. Can you imagine the surprise on the face of a Ford's Group manager if he sees a Rover LT3 or a Rover Sport in the 2007 Shanghai Motor Show ?

Technorati: Rover, BMW, Nanjing+Automobile, MG+Rover, Shanghai+Automotive, SAIC, autos, auto+news, vehicles, cars, automotive