.org MG6 Diesel Review..

[SteveChilds]

Finally we get behind the wheel of another new model to roll off the Longbridge assembly lines - no, sadly not the MG3, we'll have to wait until next year for that, but the long, long awaited Diesel MG6.

So, what's new - well, other than the in-house designed 1.9 Turbo Diesel engine, quite a bit actually. There's an all-new (also in-house designed & developed) 6 speed gearbox, revisions to be braking system including larger front discs for the Diesel going from 284mm to 295mm. There's a new Electro-Hydraulic power steering system and revisions to the suspension setup.

Read on for our full review...
(Photos will be coming shortly, we appear to have a server glitch at the moment which is preventing me adding any)

http://www.mg-rover.org/articles/1/1...iew/page_1.htm

[patpending]

MG will also launch into selected EU markets next year from the UK with the MG6 and MG3, meaning production numbers at Longbridge will increase as the EU models will also be produced in Birmingham.

Did they say that to you in the framework of the road tests?

PS

Products designed & engineered in Birmingham are now available around the world in 38 different markets covering nearly all corners of the globe.

I had

37 MG countries!

including Colombia, Nepal, North Korea, Vietnam and New Zealand. I'd better count them again!

EDIT Bolivia!

[SteveChilds]

Originally Posted by patpending

Did they say that to you in the framework of the road tests?

They said that EU sales would start next year, although not production - that was stated a while ago.

Besides, if they weren't going to go with Longbridge production, they'd be selling them already in the EU - I suspect however its much more cost effective to sell from within the EU as the Longbridge produced cars wouldn't be treated as imports from outside the EU.

[patpending]

Originally Posted by SteveChilds

They said that EU sales would start next year, although not production - that was stated a while ago.

Besides, if they weren't going to go with Longbridge production, they'd be selling them already in the EU - I suspect however its much more cost effective to sell from within the EU as the Longbridge produced cars wouldn't be treated as imports from outside the EU.

Thanks.

I see what you mean, they had already announced LHD production (assembly) in Birmingham rather than EU sales only/ full production in China.

Which EU countries come first will be fascinating. The Belarus importer is based in Latvia - they are having a massive recession there. SAIC visited Karmann is Osnabrück and Magna in Graz, suggesting Germany and Austria could be key markets. Spain and Portugal are often mentioned, though I think the cheaper donkey may be back in fashion there.

It's not even as if we have enough dealers in Britain!

[SteveChilds]

Originally Posted by patpending

Which EU countries come first will be fascinating.

Probably the ones that had good appetite for MG in the past, and where the economy isn't completely screwed. Yeah, not a big list, that is for sure.

It's not even as if we have enough dealers in Britain!

That will change, they've lost/cut a few of the smaller dealers this year but are planning to expand next year, including being taken on by 3 of the top 50 AM dealerships (basically big dealer groups).

The problem has always been product - dealers need product to sell and at the moment they only have 1 and a little in the way of advertising. I have no doubt, this will change when the 3 appears.

[patpending]

Originally Posted by me

which dealers first?

Originally Posted by SteveChilds

Probably the ones that had good appetite for MG in the past, and where the economy isn't completely screwed. Yeah, not a big list, that is for sure.

True, the only Continental article I have read on the MG6 was Spanish. Connections via the old empire to no fewer than eight countries with modern MGs. But 25% unemployment.

Portugal and Italy don't look too good.

France seem to be muddling along for the moment. Germany is doing best but has little record of MG sales since B*W. Maybe if the MG6 is a modern take on the 600 the Netherlands (and Belgium?) are first in the queue?

[matthewsemple]

Italy was a big market for Rover. I have been to Italy several times in the past ten years and I remember that particularly in Tuscany, Rovers seemed to be one of the most common non-Italian cars. They were also very popular in Poland where 'Rover' is also the word they use for bicycle because the Rover bicycle company invented the modern bicycle. (Diamond-shaped frame, chain driving the rear wheel). There are still lots of Rovers in Poland and Hungary.

However, who knows how much of that will be translated to sales of new MGs?

[ROVER-25X]

Thumbs up all round then.

[patpending]

Originally Posted by matthewsemple

Italy was a big market for Rover. I have been to Italy several times in the past ten years and I remember that particularly in Tuscany, Rovers seemed to be one of the most common non-Italian cars. They were also very popular in Poland where 'Rover' is also the word they use for bicycle because the Rover bicycle company invented the modern bicycle. (Diamond-shaped frame, chain driving the rear wheel). There are still lots of Rovers in Poland and Hungary.

However, who knows how much of that will be translated to sales of new MGs?

I'm pretty sure a handful of 550s (four?) were sold in Poland from Belarus. I think Poland is one of the countries that is depending a lot on EU money so I don't know how their economy is.

I think countries abroad are far less familiar with MG than with Rover, particularly for a saloon. The MG6 is a modern take on the 620ti!