Things looked bleak when MG Rover went into administration in 2005, but now, six years later and under the ownership of Chinese manufacturer SAIC, it has revealed its plans for a range of eight new models to be released over the next five years.
MG is already selling the MG6 hatchback but it still has plans for two crossovers, an electric vehicle, two hatchbacks, an executive sedan and a two-seater sports car.
Here’s is a more in-depth look at MG's plans in chronological order; no word yet on whether the range will appear in South Africa.
2012: MG3 Budget supermini will go head-to-head with the Skoda Fabia. Early reports show plenty of promise with an agile chassis and stylish interior design. Downsides include the slightly thirsty 1.5-litre engine, the only initial choice. Future, smaller units may solve this.
2013: A 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine is expected to put out 118kW in a Fabia RS-rivalling hot-hatch based on the MG3.
2014: The MG5 will slot into the range just below its MG6 sibling. While that car is somewhere between the Ford Focus and Mondeo for size, the MG5 will be more of a conventional Focus rival. On the powerplant front, the production MG5 is tipped to share its engines with the Chinese-market Roewe 350 with which it shares its platform. These will include 1.5-litre and 1.8-litre petrol units.
2014: Off-road MG3 and MG5 SW versions will sport plastic body guards and roof-rails. Engines will be shared with the standard MG3 and MG5 models.
2014: An MG-branded version of SAIC's three-door, four-seater E1 electric car will will weigh 1000kg, about 500kg less than the Nissan Leaf. Seen as a concept at the Shanghai motor show, badged as a Roewe, the new small car promises a 150km range and a 130km/h top speed. SAIC claims its battery pack can be charged to 80 percent in only 30 minutes from a high-voltage supply.
2014: The biggest model in the new range will be an MG7 hatch which will take on the likes of Skoda's Superb. Power will come from a two-litre turbocharged petrol engine and the newcomer will be based on GM's Epsilon platform - also used in the Opel Insignia.
2016: Reports say the replacement for the TF roadster will use the same two-litre turbocharged unit as the MG7 mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Product planning director Liu Tao said: “If you don't have a sports car, the brand doesn't look so robust.” - New Zealand Herald