As per Auto Express print edition quoted - not online yet.
Littlechicken and paynemgzr at mg-rover.org quoted it.
This is the release schedule (omitting a sportscar) (thanks paynemgr)
EDIT I've just bought Auto Express to read this - it's the issue with a big yellow AdamOpel Vauxhall on the cover marked "SENSATIONAL NEW 'MINI" (wonder why they need the apostrophe before 'MINI?)
I find the article a bit confusing in terms of who does what. Ex-Ricardo 2010 David Lindley is presented as "Managing Director" though I believe he is Deputy MD to William Wang at MG Motor UK. (Is that an additional hat to one he wears in the non-MG Motor UK Technical Centre? EDIT yes, he is Managing Director of SMTC). Martin Uhlarik is Vice Design Director (to Tony Williams-Kenny at SAIC Motor?) and has "restyled the MG3 for Europe".
It's as though activity at Longbridge started again when Ricardo 2012 moved in. Not a squeak about Wang HuaLiang, Wang HongBiao or even William Wang... no Nanjing.
Martin Uhlarik says "Traditional sports cars just don't sell well any more. We're trying to appeal to a new generation and they don't want a traditional sports car; they want a sporty SUV. That's what the Icon is".
"There will be a sports car, though" said Lindley. "We just can't say when".
Very interesting and positive piece from a journo (Sam Hardy) who was last at Longbridge to see the unveilings of the Streetwise and the CityRover! He comments that the factory site is under-utilised, there are still piles of stuff lying around (including ZSs and ZTs) and there is only one model on sale.
But he concludes
"There's a huge amount of potential - and every chance that it'll be realised".
I see Guy Jones quoted that he wants 100 dealers over the next three to four years. And executive director of SMTC Paul McNamara is quoted as saying that the European base is important for Chinese sales.
Littlechicken and paynemgzr at mg-rover.org quoted it.
This is the release schedule (omitting a sportscar) (thanks paynemgr)
end 2012 mg6 diesel
early 2013 mg3 ( there is a turbo 1.5 prototype running.)
mid 2013 mg5
2014 mg suv
2015 mg icon type suv
2016 plug in hybrid.for mg6
EDIT I've just bought Auto Express to read this - it's the issue with a big yellow Adam
I find the article a bit confusing in terms of who does what. Ex-Ricardo 2010 David Lindley is presented as "Managing Director" though I believe he is Deputy MD to William Wang at MG Motor UK. (Is that an additional hat to one he wears in the non-MG Motor UK Technical Centre? EDIT yes, he is Managing Director of SMTC). Martin Uhlarik is Vice Design Director (to Tony Williams-Kenny at SAIC Motor?) and has "restyled the MG3 for Europe".
It's as though activity at Longbridge started again when Ricardo 2012 moved in. Not a squeak about Wang HuaLiang, Wang HongBiao or even William Wang... no Nanjing.
Martin Uhlarik says "Traditional sports cars just don't sell well any more. We're trying to appeal to a new generation and they don't want a traditional sports car; they want a sporty SUV. That's what the Icon is".
"There will be a sports car, though" said Lindley. "We just can't say when".
Very interesting and positive piece from a journo (Sam Hardy) who was last at Longbridge to see the unveilings of the Streetwise and the CityRover! He comments that the factory site is under-utilised, there are still piles of stuff lying around (including ZSs and ZTs) and there is only one model on sale.
But he concludes
"There's a huge amount of potential - and every chance that it'll be realised".
I see Guy Jones quoted that he wants 100 dealers over the next three to four years. And executive director of SMTC Paul McNamara is quoted as saying that the European base is important for Chinese sales.
