British engineering group and consultancy Ricardo and 150 former MG Rover engineers are aiming to start up production of Rover cars in China, according to The Times.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


The paper said the move could lead to the creation of a European research centre in Britain for Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), the Chinese company that owns the intellectual property rights to make cars based on the Rover 75 and 25.


The Times said Ricardo is working on turning the intellectual rights into production and on creating a range of cars including a stretched version of the 75. Ricardo has formed a separate business unit for the operation, which is based at its Leamington Spa site, and has offered to sell this to SAIC by 2010 to establish a research and development centre in Britain.


When SAIC was in the final bidding round for the assets of MG Rover, which it lost to its Chinese rival Nanjing Automobile Corporation, it said that it intended to use Britain as a European research base, the paper noted.


The Times said Ricardo originally advised SAIC that buying the whole of MG Rover when it was a going concern would be inadvisable because of the carmaker’s pension liabilities, among other issues. SAIC had been in joint venture talks with MG Rover for several months before it grew increasingly concerned about the financial strength of the organisation.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The paper said SAIC intends to build Rover-based cars in China by the end of this year or the start of 2007 using new equipment. Nanjing has also said that it will soon begin manufacturing cars from the 75 and 25 production lines, which it has shipped from the UK to China from the now defunct MG Rover plant near Birmingham.


When both companies’ cars are produced, there could be a fight over copyright if they look similar, the paper noted.


The Times said both companies are also in talks with BMW, the owner of the Rover brand, about buying the name – Rover is thought to retain some value as a prestige brand name in China.