Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. will begin production of a sedan based on the Rover 75 model in China in late 2006, a Shanghai Automotive manager says, according to Automotive News Europe. The sedan is likely to be sold as an SAIC-badged car, a first for the government-run carmaker that currently builds cars for Volkswagen and General Motors in separate joint ventures.
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SAIC says it bought the intellectual property rights to the Rover 75 and 25 models, as well as 10 MG Rover engine designs, before MG Rover went into administration in April. Some work has already begun on adapting the Rover 75 to China, say sources familiar with the project. Major work on the project should begin in October, the SAIC source says.
Former MG Rover researchers will help with the engineering changes. At SAIC’s request, Ricardo of West Sussex, England, has hired dozens of former MG Rover researchers to work on SAIC projects. Before MG Rover collapsed the British carmaker had about 300 researchers at its Longbridge plant, said William Baldwin-Charles, former corporate affairs manager at MG Rover.
At SAIC’s request, the former MG Rover employees will work at Ricardo offices in England. It also is likely that teams from UK engineering specialist will travel to Shanghai to work with SAIC engineers, say sources from the companies involved.
Models not designed for China must undergo numerous changes to meet the demands of the market. For example, suspensions must be more robust to handle China’s rough roads, engines need to be calibrated for local fuels, and fuel doors must lock.
If Shanghai Automotive wants the car to succeed, it will likely follow the practice started by General Motors with its Regal sedan. GM made sure the car’s interior would suit Chinese tastes as well. That meant providing: more room in the backseat for China’s chauffeur-driven passengers; a fancy entertainment system that includes DVD screens in the front and back seats; and separate air conditioner controls for front and back seat passengers.
