MG Cars, a British automotive marque with a rich history, was founded by Cecil Kimber in the 1920s. Initially, MG was associated with Morris Garages, a retail sales and service center in Oxford owned by William Morris. The manager of Morris Garages, Cecil Kimber, played a crucial role in the transformation of MG cars. He modified standard production Morris Oxfords, adding the distinctive MG Super Sports branding to the car's front plate.
In July 1930, a separate entity called M.G. Car Company Limited was officially incorporated, marking the establishment of MG as an independent sports car manufacturer. Cecil Kimber remained at the helm, and the company saw success in producing open two-seater sports cars, along with saloons and coupés. MG cars were notable for their engines, which ranged in size up to three liters and, in the case of the MGB GT V8, 3.5 liters.
Over the years, MG underwent several changes in ownership. In 1935, Morris sold MG to his holding company, Morris Motors Limited. Subsequently, MG became part of the British Motor Corporation Limited (BMC) when Morris's Nuffield Organization merged with Austin in 1952. The MG Division of BMC was established in 1967, and with the 1968 merger that formed British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC), MG continued to play a significant role.
The MG marque persisted through subsequent organizational changes, including British Leyland, the Rover Group, and, by the early 2000s, the MG Rover Group. Unfortunately, the MG Rover Group faced financial challenges and entered receivership in 2005. The assets of MG Rover, including the MG marque, were acquired by Nanjing Automobile Group, which later merged into SAIC Motor Corporation Limited in 2007.
The revival of MG production occurred in China in 2007, marking a new chapter for the brand. In 2011, the MG 6 was launched in the UK, representing the first new MG model in the country in 16 years. The MG marque, now under the ownership of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, continues its presence in the automotive industry, combining its British heritage with Chinese manufacturing and global market presence.