MG

Year of foundation 1924

The history of MG (Morris Garages) is a fascinating journey through the evolution of the British automotive industry, marked by successes, crises, and, finally, a rebirth under new ownership.

The Origins: Morris Garages and Cecil Kimber

It all began in Oxford, England, in 1922, when a Morris car dealership called Morris Garages, owned by William Morris (the founder of Morris Motors), hired a young designer and engineer named Cecil Kimber. Kimber, with his vision, began modifying and customizing Morris models, creating sportier and more attractive versions.

In 1924, the MG brand was officially registered, a stylized octagon that would become the company's iconic symbol. The first cars, known as "Kimber Specials" or MG 14/28s, were essentially Morris Oxfords with modified bodies for increased performance. Growing demand led the company to relocate several times, finally settling in its historic Abingdon factory in 1929. In 1930, the M.G. Car Company was officially founded, and while still owned by William Morris, it developed its own identity.

The Golden Years: Small Sports Cars

The 1930s marked the pinnacle of MG's success, particularly with the series of compact and affordable sports cars known as the "Midget." These models, along with others such as the Midget, MG A, and MG B, transformed MG into one of the world's most beloved sports car brands, enjoying enormous popularity in Europe and the United States. MG cars became synonymous with British style, driving fun, and an affordable price. The MGB, in particular, produced from 1962 to 1980, became the best-selling car in the brand's history.

Trials and Changes of Ownership

Beginning in the 1960s, the British automotive industry underwent a series of mergers and restructurings. In 1952, MG merged with Morris into the British Motor Corporation (BMC). Subsequently, in 1968, it became part of the British Leyland conglomerate, a period of great instability and crisis for the brand. Production of MG sports cars was discontinued, and the company began producing sporty versions of Austin models, such as the Metro.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Rover Group, which acquired MG, was sold several times, first to British Aerospace and then to BMW. During this period, the brand attempted to rediscover its identity with the launch of new models, such as the MG RV8 in 1992 and the successful MG F in 1995 (which later became the MG TF), a mid-engined roadster that positioned itself as a rival to the Mazda MX-5.

Bankruptcy and Chinese Rebirth

The new millennium ushered in another crisis. In 2005, the MG Rover group, after a fruitless search for a buyer, went bankrupt. The MG brand, along with all its industrial rights, was acquired by the Chinese automaker Nanjing Automobile Group. Following the latter's merger with SAIC Motor Corporation (one of China's largest automotive companies), the brand was reborn under the name MG Motor.

The current MG has embarked on a completely new path. Retaining its historic octagonal logo, it has moved production to China while maintaining a research and design center in the United Kingdom. Today, the brand focuses on a range of modern, often electric or hybrid, and affordable vehicles, such as the MG ZS and the MG4.

Although production has now moved away from its British roots, MG has carved out a new niche in the global market, bringing its historic name to a new generation of motorists.