Is MG a subsidiary of Volkswagen?
3 Answers
MG is a brand under the SAIC Motor Corporation, belonging to the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. Currently, MG produces models such as the MG7 series, MG3 series, MG6 series, and MGTF sports cars. Its production base for the Chinese market is located in Nanjing, while the international market base is in Longbridge, UK. Additional information: Taking the MG5 as an example, here are the details: 1. Dimensions: The MG5 is a compact car under the MG brand, with a length, width, and height of 4675mm, 1842mm, and 1473mm respectively, and a wheelbase of 2680mm. 2. Powertrain: The MG5 is equipped with two engines: a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine and a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. The 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine has a maximum power of 88kW and a maximum torque of 150 Nm, with the maximum power achieved at 6000 rpm and the maximum torque at 4500 rpm. This engine features multi-point fuel injection technology.
Many people seem confused about the relationship between MG and Volkswagen. MG was originally a century-old British brand, particularly famous for its racing heritage. In 2005, it was acquired by China's Nanjing Automobile, which later merged with SAIC Motor, making MG fully owned by SAIC Group today. Volkswagen, on the other hand, is a German brand that established a joint venture with SAIC in China, forming SAIC Volkswagen. However, Volkswagen owns subsidiaries like Audi and Porsche, and MG has no connection to it whatsoever. Current MG models like the MG7 and MG5 are entirely designed by SAIC, featuring a very youthful design language, and are even sold in the European market. So don’t mistake MG as a subsidiary of Volkswagen—it’s actually a flagship brand representing Chinese automakers in the global market.
A while ago, I accompanied a friend to a 4S dealership to look at cars, and the salesperson specifically explained MG's background. This brand was famous for producing stylish sports cars in the UK in its early years. After going bankrupt, it was acquired by Nanjing Automobile, and later, as Nanjing Auto merged into SAIC Group, MG became a purely Chinese brand. Volkswagen's cooperation with SAIC led to the establishment of SAIC Volkswagen, a separate company dedicated to producing Volkswagen vehicles, which has no connection with MG whatsoever. Nowadays, MG's electric vehicles are selling quite well in Europe, with all the smart vehicle systems developed in-house by SAIC. During my last test drive of the MG4 EV, the handling felt every bit as good as that of joint-venture cars. When buying a car, remember that although the MG badge on the rear carries a British heritage, at its core, it's made in China.
