MG Cars
British-origin automotive marque founded around Morris Garages and now controlled internationally by China's SAIC Motor.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
MG is an automotive marque with British origins and a history closely associated with affordable two-seat sports cars, roadsters, and competition vehicles. The name derives from Morris Garages, a Morris sales and service business in Oxford owned by William Morris. In the early 1920s, its manager Cecil Kimber began modifying Morris automobiles with sportier bodies and trim as a way to stimulate sales. These modified cars became known as Kimber Specials and were eventually marketed with the MG octagon badge. The business developed rapidly during the second half of the 1920s. It moved from small Oxford premises to increasingly substantial facilities and began presenting itself as a distinct manufacturer rather than merely a dealership customization operation. The M.G. Car Company was incorporated in 1930, while William Morris retained ownership until transferring it to Morris Motors in 1935. MG became known for compact, relatively accessible sports cars, including the Midgets and the post-war T-series. Models such as the MG TC helped establish an international following, particularly in export markets and the United States. MG's corporate identity changed repeatedly as the British motor industry consolidated. Morris Motors joined the Austin Motor Company in 1952 to create the British Motor Corporation. BMC later became part of British Motor Holdings and then British Leyland. During these periods, MG continued to produce distinctive sports cars, most notably the MGA and MGB, but the badge was also applied to sportier versions of mass-market saloons. The MGB, introduced in 1962, became one of the best-known British sports cars of its era and remained in production until the closure of MG's Abingdon factory in 1980. After Abingdon closed, MG was used intermittently on performance-oriented versions of Austin and Rover models. The marque returned to dedicated sports-car production with the limited-volume MG RV8 in the early 1990s and the mid-engined MG F in 1995. Following BMW's ownership of the Rover Group and its sale of the former Rover business to the Phoenix Consortium, the MG Rover Group expanded the badge into models such as the MG ZR, MG ZS, MG ZT, and MG XPower SV. MG Rover entered receivership in 2005, ending British production under that ownership. Nanjing Automobile Group acquired the MG marque and other major MG Rover assets in 2005. SAIC Motor acquired Nanjing Automobile in 2007 and subsequently consolidated the brand within its passenger-vehicle operations. Production and development restarted in China, and MG Motor UK was established as the operating company for the British market. The MG6, launched in 2011, was the first new MG model marketed in the United Kingdom for 16 years. Production at Longbridge ended in 2016, after which UK-market vehicles were imported, primarily from China. Under SAIC, MG shifted from a mainly British sports-car identity toward a broad international volume brand. Its current range has centered on hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and battery-electric vehicles, with selected models adapted for different national markets. The MG ZS became one of the marque's strongest international products, while the MG4 EV gave the brand a significant presence in Europe's compact electric-car segment. In 2023, SAIC described the large majority of MG sales as occurring outside China. The Cyberster, an electric two-seat roadster introduced in 2023 and sold from 2024, reconnects the modern brand with its historic sports-car image.
History
MG's roots lie in Morris Garages, a Morris dealership and service center in Oxford associated with William Morris. Cecil Kimber joined the business as sales manager in 1921 and became general manager the following year. He promoted Morris vehicles by commissioning sportier bodies and adapting standard Morris mechanical components. The resulting cars were initially known as Kimber Specials. The MG octagon appeared during the early development of the marque, and the octagon was registered as a trademark in 1924. Demand prompted several relocations during the 1920s, first within Oxford and later to a larger facility in Cowley. By 1928, the enterprise was sufficiently substantial to operate under the M.G. Car Company name and to exhibit at the London Motor Show. It moved to an Abingdon, Oxfordshire, factory in 1929, and a limited company was incorporated in 1930. William Morris transferred the business to Morris Motors in 1935. Kimber left in 1941 after a disagreement with Morris over wartime work; he died in 1945. The company developed an international reputation through small sports cars and motor racing. Early models included the 14/28 and the purpose-designed 18/80, followed by the M-Type Midget and successive T-series cars. After the Second World War, the MG TC became especially important in establishing the British roadster as an export product. The MGA, introduced in 1955, replaced the earlier pre-war visual and engineering approach. The MGB followed in 1962, with the MGB GT coupe added in 1965. Related models included the MGC and the V8-powered MGB GT V8, while the MG Midget continued as a compact roadster derived from the Austin-Healey Sprite. Corporate consolidation changed the way MG was managed. Morris Motors became part of the British Motor Corporation in 1952. BMC and later British Motor Holdings were absorbed into the 1968 creation of British Leyland. By the 1970s, MG functioned primarily as a marque within a larger group rather than as a fully independent manufacturer. The Abingdon plant closed on 24 October 1980, ending production of the MGB and Midget and temporarily removing MG from dedicated sports-car manufacturing. British Leyland and its successors continued to use the badge on sportier derivatives of the Austin Metro, Maestro, and Montego. The Rover Group revived a more traditional MG identity with the limited-production MG RV8 in 1992 and the mid-engined MG F in 1995. After the Rover business was separated from BMW and acquired by the Phoenix Consortium, the MG Rover Group sold the MG ZR, ZS, and ZT/ZT-T, which were performance-oriented relatives of Rover models. The MG XPower SV, derived from the Qvale Mangusta project, represented a low-volume high-performance experiment. MG Rover entered receivership in 2005, and vehicle production stopped. Nanjing Automobile Group acquired the marque and key assets later that year. SAIC Motor absorbed Nanjing Automobile in 2007 and placed MG within its passenger-car operations. The modern MG Motor business developed vehicles for international markets, initially combining Chinese production with limited UK assembly. The MG6 reached the British market in 2011, but Longbridge assembly ended in 2016. The brand subsequently became predominantly export-oriented, with models designed or adapted within SAIC's broader engineering and manufacturing system. The contemporary portfolio is centered on affordable crossovers, hatchbacks, sedans, and electric vehicles. The MG ZS became a particularly important international product, while the MG4 EV broadened the marque's electric offering in Europe. The Cyberster, revealed in 2023 and sold from 2024, restored a two-seat sports-car format in electric form. MG therefore combines historical British design and motorsport associations with present-day Chinese ownership, global manufacturing, and mass-market positioning.
- 2023
Cyberster electric roadster introduced
[1]MG presented its first new roadster in decades, using an all-electric powertrain.
- 2016
Longbridge production ends
[1]MG Motor stopped vehicle assembly at Longbridge and shifted the UK business to imported vehicles.
- 2011
MG6 launched in the United Kingdom
[1]The MG6 was the first new MG model sold in Britain in 16 years and was assembled in China and at Longbridge.
- 2007
SAIC takes control of MG
[1]SAIC's acquisition of Nanjing Automobile brought MG into the Chinese automaker's passenger-vehicle portfolio.
- 2005
Nanjing Automobile acquires MG
[1]Nanjing Automobile purchased the MG marque and important assets following MG Rover's collapse.
- 1995
MG F launched
[1]The mid-engined MG F became the first mass-produced dedicated MG sports car since the MGB era.
- 1992
MG RV8 revives the sports-car marque
[1]Rover Group introduced the limited-volume MG RV8, an updated roadster related to the MGB.
- 1980
Abingdon factory closes
[1]The closure ended production of the MGB and temporarily ended MG's dedicated sports-car manufacturing.
- 1968
MG enters British Leyland
[1]The formation of British Leyland placed MG within the newly consolidated British motor industry.
- 1962
MGB launched
[1]The MGB became MG's defining mass-produced modern roadster and remained in production until 1980.
Products and positioning
Accessible, design-led mass-market automotive brand with British heritage and a growing emphasis on electrified vehicles.
Sports car · 1929
M-Type Midget
Introduced in the late 1920s, the M-Type Midget was a small, relatively affordable sports car based on Morris components. It helped define MG's early association with lightweight two-seat motoring and expanded the marque beyond one-off or semi-custom Morris derivatives.
Sports car · 1945
MG TC
The MG TC was part of the post-war T-series of compact roadsters. Its export success, particularly in North America, helped spread enthusiasm for British sports cars and gave MG an international reputation disproportionate to its modest size.
Sports car · 1955
MGA
The MGA marked a decisive stylistic and engineering break from MG's pre-war-derived roadsters. Its streamlined body and conventional sports-car proportions made it an important export product and a foundation for the modern MG sports-car image.
Sports car · 1962
MGB
The MGB was MG's major modern roadster, offering unibody construction, improved comfort, and broad export appeal. A fixed-head coupe, the MGB GT, followed in 1965. The range remained in production through successive safety and emissions changes until the Abingdon plant closed in 1980.
Sports car · 1995
MG F
The mid-engined MG F was launched in the 1990s as a contemporary two-seat sports car. It was substantially more successful than the limited-volume RV8 and restored regular dedicated sports-car production to the marque after the long gap following the MGB.
Compact SUV · 2017
MG ZS
The MG ZS is a small crossover SUV developed for international markets under SAIC ownership. It became one of MG Motor's strongest global products and was offered in both conventional and electric forms in selected markets.
SUV · 2018
MG HS
The MG HS is a larger family SUV positioned above the ZS. It forms part of the brand's shift from a historic sports-car specialist toward a broad volume portfolio, with petrol and electrified variants depending on market.
Battery-electric hatchback · 2022
MG4 EV
The MG4 EV is a compact battery-electric hatchback developed as an international model for the SAIC-owned brand. Its size, pricing, and dedicated electric architecture made it an important product in MG's European electrification strategy.
Battery-electric roadster · 2023
MG Cyberster
The Cyberster is a two-seat electric roadster designed to reconnect MG with its historic sports-car identity. It combines a low-slung convertible body with modern electric propulsion and entered sales in 2024 after its 2023 introduction.
Brand decisions
2016
End of vehicle production at LongbridgeStrategyBackground
MG Motor reviewed manufacturing scale and the role of its historic British facility.
Action taken
Vehicle production at Longbridge ended, with the company citing improved production-scale efficiencies.
Aftermath
UK-market MG vehicles were subsequently imported, primarily from China, while Longbridge retained other operational significance.
2007
SAIC Motor assumes control of MGM&ABackground
SAIC Motor acquired Nanjing Automobile Group, whose assets included the MG marque.
Action taken
SAIC consolidated MG within its passenger-vehicle business and developed the marque as an international brand.
Aftermath
MG expanded from a British sports-car heritage brand into a global range of mainstream and electric vehicles.
2005
Transfer of the MG marque to Nanjing AutomobileM&ABackground
MG Rover entered receivership and suspended production, putting the marque and associated manufacturing assets up for sale.
Action taken
Nanjing Automobile Group acquired the MG marque and other key assets, creating the basis for a restart under Chinese ownership.
Aftermath
The brand later became part of SAIC Motor after SAIC acquired Nanjing Automobile in 2007.
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