MG stands for Morris Garages. It was originally the name of a retail sales and service garage in Oxford, England, founded in 1924 by William Morris. The MG brand we know today grew from this humble beginning, becoming an iconic British marque famous for producing sporty, affordable roadsters like the MGB.
The story begins with Cecil Kimber, the general manager of Morris Garages. In the early 1920s, Kimber began modifying standard Morris cars, making them more stylish and sportier. These customized cars were badged as "MG" and quickly gained popularity. The first car officially designed and built as an MG was the 1924 MG 14/28 Super Sports. The brand's identity became inseparable from its octagon badge, which is a stylized representation of the original Morris Garages showroom.
MG's history is a tale of two halves. For decades, it was a cornerstone of British motoring, celebrated for its lightweight, fun-to-drive sports cars. However, financial struggles led to the brand passing through various owners, including British Leyland and BMW. The modern chapter of MG began in 2005 when it was acquired by Nanjing Automobile Group of China, which later merged into SAIC Motor. Today, SAIC Motor revitalizes MG as a global brand focused on New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), including electric and hybrid models, while still trading on its rich heritage.
| MG Brand Timeline & Key Data | |
|---|
| Founded | 1924 (as Morris Garages) |
| Founder | William Morris |
| Key Figure | Cecil Kimber (credited with creating the first MGs) |
| Classic Models | MGA, MGB, MGB GT, Midget |
| Longest-Produced Model | MGB (1962-1980) |
| Acquired by Nanjing Automobile | 2005 |
| Current Owner | SAIC Motor (since 2007) |
| Modern Focus | Electric Vehicles (e.g., MG4, ZS EV) |
| Global Sales (2023) | Over 840,000 vehicles |
