Rover Name Provisionally sold to Chinese.

JohnDotCom · 11th January 2008, 12:52

I see from a Translation Post today sent from NAG site, and on Auto Express News Release that the Rover Name has been Purchased by the Chinese Group Provisionally from Ford and the Rowe Name will be dropped and the Rover Badge Installed in its Place.
Don't know if that is Good or Bad News.

CDTi · 11th January 2008, 12:58

WOW - this is news, John

Could be good for Longbridge in the medium to long term with a bit of luck.

JohnDotCom · 11th January 2008, 13:04

I have reports and Photos of Two new "Rover" Models to be released,
just awaiting Translations.

GERFIX · 11th January 2008, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

Don't know if that is Good or Bad News.

That was my initial thought but looking on the bright side, at the very least it keeps the name alive (despite now being a "Chinese Brand").

AURORA MG · 11th January 2008, 15:41

I've been saying/thinking for a long time that it would be ironical if the Rover name was eventually bought NAC or SIAC as the whole saga will have gone full circle!!
It will also likely help with residual values of the "MG Rover" Rovers
I think it will be a good thing as "Roewe" would never sell over here, certainly not on their 750 as it would give people like Clarkson a field day!!

sworks · 11th January 2008, 21:26

not sure which way to go with this! think possibly a bad decision 'Rover' was, is and should have stayed British. Think it might have been better for the brand name to have just dissapeared. But on the plus side, better than going to Tata

GERFIX · 11th January 2008, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by sworks

But on the plus side, better than going to Tata

At least the name is going to be attached to a car which originally had the same name. If the name had been sold to the likes of Tata, who knows what it would have ended up on the back of? Rover Nano

.

ikorodu · 13th January 2008, 04:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

I have reports and Photos of Two new "Rover" Models to be released,
just awaiting Translations.

John, Can you post the photos!

Rob

CDTi · 13th January 2008, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by baxlin

I'm confused, why would this be good for Longbridge? I thought Roewe were in shanghai or wherever, and that the lot that make the MG7 are at Longbridge.

If I'm right, then the Roewe 750 would be badged Rover, in direct (and greater) competition with the MG7.

Or have I got it the "wrong way" round??

malcolm

NAC and SAIC have merged - or SAIC have taken over NAC, depending on how you look at it

This means that SAIC now effectively own Longbridge. SAIC are much richer than NAC, although they showed no interest in UK production before the sale back in 2005.

There are now many possible futures for Longbridge with SAICs deeper pockets - production of MG7/"Rover" 750 or new models completely.

We shall have to wait and see.

pondweed · 13th January 2008, 18:26

its going to be good news for retrofitting....!

SAICs deeper pockets are more likely to see them experiment with new niche markets like the Tourer body more quickly, perhaps?

11th January 2008, 12:52	#1
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Rover Name Provisionally sold to Chinese. I see from a Translation Post today sent from NAG site, and on Auto Express News Release that the Rover Name has been Purchased by the Chinese Group Provisionally from Ford and the Rowe Name will be dropped and the Rover Badge Installed in its Place. Don't know if that is Good or Bad News.

11th January 2008, 12:58	#2
CDTi This is my second home No longer in the MGR club Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tipperary Posts: 3,933 Thanks: 35 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	WOW - this is news, John Could be good for Longbridge in the medium to long term with a bit of luck. __________________ 'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.

11th January 2008, 21:26	#6
sworks Been absent for a while… Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,065 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	not sure which way to go with this! think possibly a bad decision 'Rover' was, is and should have stayed British. Think it might have been better for the brand name to have just dissapeared. But on the plus side, better than going to Tata __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle

11th January 2008, 13:04	#3
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I have reports and Photos of Two new "Rover" Models to be released, just awaiting Translations.

11th January 2008, 15:41	#5
AURORA MG Banned (EX)-ZT-T190SE in Aurora. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Medway Posts: 2,954 Thanks: 42 Thanked 53 Times in 46 Posts	I've been saying/thinking for a long time that it would be ironical if the Rover name was eventually bought NAC or SIAC as the whole saga will have gone full circle!! It will also likely help with residual values of the "MG Rover" Rovers I think it will be a good thing as "Roewe" would never sell over here, certainly not on their 750 as it would give people like Clarkson a field day!!

13th January 2008, 18:26	#10
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	its going to be good news for retrofitting....! SAICs deeper pockets are more likely to see them experiment with new niche markets like the Tourer body more quickly, perhaps?