MG THROUGH THE DECADES: PART 2

From the 1920s to the 1970s, MG was a leading vehicle manufacturer and one of Britain’s most established U.S. exports. However, after continued success, the 80s saw challenges and changes for the motoring giant in a rollercoaster period that would last decades.

Let’s take a deep dive into how the 80s shaped MG’s fate, and what happened between then and the current day.

After the formation of British Leyland, MG stopped producing vehicles, and the last MGB was manufactured in 1980 and displayed in the U.S.A. Ford Museum. The final MG factory in Abingdon also closed in 1980 and the company engineered badges only, which were used for Austin Rover and other British Leyland vehicles.

This was a heartbreaking time for MG fanatics around the country, of which there were many, and it seemingly marked the end of an era of British automation.

However, while British Leyland struggled to succeed, the MG Metro 1300 was released in 1982, followed by the MG Metro Turbo in 1983. Due to the relative popularity of both cars, MG slowly started to see another surge, which deepened when rally car racing took the country by storm in 1985.

With strong links to race-ready cars, MG released the MG Metro 6R4 with a 3.0 V6 engine capable of 410bhp. This met the demand for rally-capable specialised vehicles and saw MG return to racing form in time for the 90s.

Now part of the Rover Group, MG utilised Land Rover engines to create the MGB V8 in 1994. This revived interest in the brand and helped pave the way for the MG F, an incredibly popular roadster released in 1995. The MG F quickly became one of Britain’s best-selling sports cars and one of the most iconic MG models, famous for being an extremely fun car to drive.

However, company politics scuppered the MG F’s global release after Rover Group was bought by BMW in 1994 for £800m. The result was that the MG F never made it overseas to the once-thriving American market because it rivalled the BMW Z models of the time.

Company woes would mark the next decade or so for MG when BMW sold the car-making and engine-manufacturing assets of Rover Group to Phoenix Venture Holdings, which went bust in 2005.

The Nanjing Automobile Corporation later bought the remains of MG and Rover and moved all assembly lines to China, but in 2007, MG was transferred to the Chinese state-owned SAIC, which had bought Nanjing.

In 2002, the MG F was superseded by the MGTF with various aesthetic upgrades, although the MG F remained more popular. However, with increasing stability behind the scenes, MG was back in the driving seat and more manufacturing was on the horizon.

Unlike owners of old, SAIC kept hold of MG and under its tenure released the MG6 GT in 2010. The MG6 Magnette saloon was also released with both models arriving in the UK market in 2011.

The British Touring Car Championship in 2012 saw MG back in action on the track, too, with Jason Plato finishing third in 2012 and 2012. 2014 finally brought a racing victory for MG, with a win against Honda in a tense, thrilling affair re-establishing MG as a motorsport giant.

With race success under its belt, MG turned its efforts to the everyday motorists, and 2012 saw the introduction of the MG3 “Supermini” hatchback that appealed to budget-conscious buyers. Designed in the original Mini factory, Longbridge, the MG3 was a great seller for the company and came with many personalisation options.

Various other models followed the MG3 such as MG’s first SUV, the GS, and the MG 360, a long-wheelbase saloon with the largest interior in its class. The decade also saw the product of the MG ZS, known as the “ultimate compact SUV” and another example of MG providing quality vehicles for everyday drivers.

MG’s resurgence continued in the 2020s, and over half a million MG models were sold in 2021. In 2023, MG cars were in the top ten sales charts of 20 countries and the company has invested heavily in electric vehicle advancements to meet customer and market demand.

This includes the production of the MG4 Electric which won Autocar’s Best EV 2023 thanks to its relatively low cost and brilliant range of features. The 2020s have also seen the release of the MG One, MG Marvel R, MG5 EV, and more, with many releases slated for the next decade and a focus on electric vehicles.

Beyond its role as a manufacturer of vehicles, MG has had a profound cultural impact on automotive enthusiasts worldwide. Through community events, rallies, and gatherings, MG enthusiasts regularly come together to celebrate their shared passion for the brand, and the company hosted the Central Feature at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

MG has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, boasting regular increases in profitability and holding a market share of the electric car market of 9.4% in 2024.

2024 will see MG roll out the D7, MG9 EV, MG3 re-release, RX9, S9 EV, Whale, and IM LS6, and this impressive roster goes a long way to establishing MG as one of the fastest-growing electric car specialists.

With a newfound focus on electric vehicles, the future is bright for MG after a rollercoaster century in the industry, and we can’t wait to see what happens in the decades to come!

We love an MG here at Richmond Group and can help you find the perfect vehicle. Whether new or used, you can browse MG cars online today. We have options for every style and budget and can help you find the perfect MG.