China’s powerful state development and reform commission has approved Nanjing Automobile’s purchase of collapsed MG Rover, the official Xinhua news agency said on Monday, according to Reuters.


The report said Nanjing chairman Wang Haoliang was cited by Xinhua as saying the Chinese car maker planned to roll out its first locally made MG 75 sedan in the first half of 2007 based on the acquired technology.


Reuters noted that Nanjing surprised the motoring world when the company paid GBP53m (US$91.3m) to buy MG Rover out of bankruptcy in July, outbidding rival Chinese car maker Shanghai Automotive (SAIC). The British car maker had collapsed under debts of GBP1.4bn in April, leading to 5,000 job losses at its main plant.


Last month, Nanjing took a 33-year lease on the former MG Rover plant at Longbridge in central England and reiterated it still hoped to revive production at the site, Reuters added.


Since buying the MG Rover assets, Nanjing has reportedly packed up and shipped to China much of the manufacturing and assembly equipment once used at Longbridge.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.