Did you know that MG still builds cars? The company that greatly contributed to America’s love of driving is still plugging along, and it’s just been announced that the MG Cyberster is going to make its official European debut at the Munich-based IAA Mobility 2023 Germany in September. This is the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung, or International Automobile Exhibition, that used to be held in Frankfurt every year.
However, with MG, all is not what it may seem. In fact, you may recoil in horror, not because the Cyberster will be an EV roadster (never would have guessed!), but because of who MG is these days.
MG Rover Group disintegrated in 2005, and its assets (including Austin and a host of discontinued brands) were bought by a Chinese company called Nanjing Automobile. Nanjing also acquired MG’s plant in Longbridge, which allowed the new MG Motor company to resume building the MG TF sports car, as well as a number of Rover models now under the MG banner. SIAC Motor, a Shanghai-based manufacturer, bought Nanjing Automobile in 2007. Over time, new models were purely Chinese and not related to leftover Rover models, with these cars being sold in the UK and other markets as MGs but in China as Roewe, Maxus, Wuling, and Baojun.
Now that you’ve caught your breath, MG Motor designs and develops vehicles in the United Kingdom, but its cars are built in China, Thailand, and India. The Cyberster is a throwback to the MGs of yore, but with a modern EV twist. It “firmly underline’s MG’s desire to design and engineer exciting performance EVs with bold styling, leading-edge driver, and infotainment technology.” The new roadster arrives to the market as MG celebrates 100 years since its founding. It “combines the brand’s evocative heritage with striking, contemporary design language and sophisticated EV powertrain.”
Commenting on the Cyberster and other EVs MG will be introducing in Munich, Jan Oehmicke of MG Motor Europe says, “We look forward to welcoming everyone to the MG stand, where they’ll be able to preview three of our most performance-focussed and exhilarating all-electric vehicles. IAA Mobility 2023 is an ideal platform to connect with motorists and offer a glimpse into MG’s exciting future, which features cars like the Cyberster, which will be with us next year.”
Considering these global developments that are new to this Yank, I have asked a fellow in Britain what he thinks about today’s MG. Decorum doesn’t allow me to display what he answered.
I like that better than the original go carts…er I mean… MG’s.
It’s unfortunate that none of the cars will be built in Britains by British workers. Soaking up market share without providing jobs and incomes—that’s definitely not the MGs of old.
This crate will NOT be my. 13th MG !
Cyberster? Wow, that sure rolls off the tongue.
Wrong country. Wrong fuel.
Wrong Country wrong Fuel Even from the US “DITTO”
I respect everyone’s opinions about this. We’re all “car guys”, what’s left of us. Here are a couple thoughts:
1. I understand the idea they should be built in Britain, agreed because they’re using Brit brand names. But don’t we remember the quality of British built cars?
2. Looking at the pictures: if I want a Miata I’ll buy a Miata.
3. Now that cars have simple electric motors that anyone can buy, and without the challenges of engineering and building gasoline engines, anyone who can glue panels together can build cars.
Will never beat the MGA! My Fav.
Me heart hurts – as a current owner of a ’52 TD and former owner of MGB’s, Midget’s, and an A – I am horrified that these will not be built in Britain…I have seen the MG’s that ply the roads in the Philippines (they are not worthy to wear the nameplate – me think!) Besides not being a huge electric car supporter, will these roadsters inspire the same feeling the old cars do, and will it even be available in the US?
Sorry, this looks like a MIata.
Body-wise, it’s a good-looking competitor to the Miata. But that’s as far as the good goes. When you replace the ICE engine with the electric motor, and then replace British ownership and British built with Chinese, that’s 3 strikes and I’m out of here. It might possibly look even better than the Miata, I have examined it closely once the above details were known, but I’d still buy the Miata over this because of those 3 strikes!
This is a travesty beyond words. This is anything but British. As a 50 year, original owner of a TR six, I can say that British Car lovers will look the other way on this.
…. And Chinese besides! Ugh.
I hope they bring this to the US.