MG ROVER ANNOUNCES NEW SMALL CAR
Longbridge - 20 December 2002.
Today MG Rover announces that it will launch a new small Rover car in 2003.
The new Rover, based on the Tata Indica platform, will be manufactured to MG Rover's design and engineering standards, in India, by Tata Engineering, at its Pune factory. It will be sold throughout the UK and Continental Europe by MG Rover's dealer network. Initial details of the car will follow.
Kevin Howe, chief executive, MG Rover said: "This new car, which will fit perfectly in to our existing product portfolio, will reach a whole new customer base. We are delighted to have concluded this manufacturing agreement with Tata Engineering. The Pune factory has state of the art facilities and a highly skilled and dedicated workforce."
Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Engineering said: "We are very pleased to be manufacturing MG Rover's new small car at our plant in Pune and see this as a great endorsement of our engineering and manufacturing expertise. The introduction of this car will see the achievement of yet another milestone for both companies, and marks the start of what we hope will be a long and productive relationship."
Tata is a major conglomerate, based in India. Its diversified interests include steel, communications, consumer products, chemicals, hospitality and IT as well as automotive production. The $9 billion group comprises 80 companies and has about 225,000 employees.
(26/12/2002)

---

1.5 Millionth MG is a Golden Jubilee Special
MG Rover announces the building of the 1.5 millionth MG car since production began in 1924.
Over its 78-year history many varieties and designs of MG have made this one of the most famous motoring brands. The 1.5 millionth MG produced today is the new TF 160. In celebration of H.M. Queen's Golden Jubilee, it is fittingly painted in Supertallic paint 'Jubilee' Gold and finished with special Jubilee badging
The Golden Jubilee TF will be participating in a motoring cavalcade that finishes in the Mall on 4 June and in between, will be used to raise money, with the proceeds going to one of H.M. Queen's nominated Golden Jubilee charities.
(16/04/2002

---

MG Rover Cars & Powertrain Ltd have sealed an exclusive contract with Caterham Cars for the supply of engines and gearboxes.

A special event to announce the 'partnership' was arranged at MG-Rover headquarters, Longbridge, Birmingham.
read more (09/04/2002)

 

---

21 March, 2002
MG ROVER AND CHINA BRILLIANCE CREATE GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANC
MG Rover Group Limited (MG Rover) and China Brilliance Industrial Holdings (CBIH) have entered into an Alliance and co-operation agreement to finance, develop, manufacture and market automobiles.
The alliance provides the potential for MG Rover derived cars to be manufactured in China. Plans have also been put into place for the joint development of a new small car. Equally the opportunity also exists for MG Rover to manufacture and market CBIH derived vehicles.

The companies will co-operate on the supply and manufacture of engines and development of a new range of engines.

MG Rover will provide considerable technical support and assistance in order to establish the necessary manufacturing processes and systems in China. This will extend to the establishment of a joint Research and Development centre in China.
The alliance will seek significant cost benefit from larger manufacturing volumes, going forward. A joint component sourcing strategy committee will be established.

Kevin Howe, MG Rover, Chief Executive said: "This is a wide-ranging global alliance that spans the full breadth of both company's activities, and presents many opportunities. I am delighted that we have so much in common. Brilliance has achieved quite outstanding results in a very short space of time and demonstrates world class standards in everything it does. It is clearly the leading automotive manufacturer, in the world's fastest growing car market.
"China will be one of the most important markets for the alliance. It is the world's fastest growing market for cars."

Dr. Brian X. Sun, Chief Executive, CBIH said: "From the beginning it was very clear Brilliance and MG Rover have a similar philosophy and operating style. We are both ambitious, clear in our vision and quick with decision-making.
Together we will be a force to be respected in the automotive industry."

The alliance creates the potential for much greater global reach and scale. Market territories have been assigned to each partner. Vehicles can be manufactured and sold exclusively by CBIH in China, and the majority of Asia and Africa. MG Rover will have exclusivity in all other markets, however consideration will be given to combining efforts in the USA.

A new joint venture company will be created. Ownership of the company will be shared 50/50 between MG Rover and CBIH. Three directors from MG Rover and CBIH will form the board.
Discussions between MG Rover and CBIH began in the second half of 2001. Today, both MG Rover and China Brilliance are very pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached.

About China Brilliance Industrial Holdings.
The Chairman of China Brilliance Industrial Holdings, Dr. Yang Rong, heads a group of eight Chinese companies, with listings in New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The principle business of the group is vehicle, engine and component manufacturing and sales. It has an annual turnover in the region of $2.8 billion and significant global reach within the automotive industry, co operating with many of the world's most significant players including Toyota, General Motors, BMW, London Taxi International, Mitsubishi and Renault.

The group employs 40,000 people, in seven fully integrated vehicle manufacturing facilities, three self-contained engine plants and in component manufacturing, in China.
The group's products include minibuses, sedans, SUV's and pick-ups, light trucks and the legendary London black cab.

The group has some notable firsts. Brilliance China Automotive Holdings was the first ever Chinese company to be listed in an overseas stock exchange. Jinbei Passenger Vehicle Manufacture Co Ltd, is China's largest minibus producer.

Although the focus of the business has been on minibus production and sales, based on a version of the Toyota Hiace, it is intent on expanding into the growing sedan segment in China. The company will launch its Zhonghua sedan in the second half of 2002. It is the first vehicle to be designed and developed entirely by a Chinese automotive company.

About MG Rover
The structure of MG Rover, an independent, medium-sized British company, reflects a corporate focus on the development of a fully integrated automotive business. Its aim is to create great cars, from great brands.

The company was formed following the purchase of the Rover Group from BMW in May 2000. The total group has an annual turnover in the region of £2 billion and employs 6500 highly skilled and dedicated people.

The largest business within MG Rover is MG Rover Group, which designs, develops and manufactures cars at its Longbridge, Birmingham site in the UK. Its products are sold world-wide in 70 markets, with approximately 50 per cent of sales in export territories.
In Powertrain Ltd, MG Rover Holdings has a business that manufactures engines and gearboxes, from the same Longbridge site. MG Rover Parts Ltd will provide a world-wide after sales supply operation to the MG Rover dealer organisation.

MG Rover Holdings also includes MG Sport and Racing Ltd, MG Rover Property Ltd and MG Heritage Ltd.

---

March 2002
GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
ROVER 'TCV' STARS ON MG ROVER'S GENEVA STAND
Giving the first public indication of Rover's future product design thinking, the Rover TCV (Tourer Concept Vehicle) forms the centrepiece of the company's stand at the 2002 Geneva Show.
(Read More)

---

EXTENSION OF ROVER 75 RANGE
Rover has unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, a new long-wheelbase model Rover 75 Saloon, built in conjunction with established vehicle specialist coachbuilders S. MacNeillie & Son Ltd. The Vanden Plas is a supremely stylish limousine-style vehicle, which delivers the ultimate in comfort for an incredibly competitive price.
The Vanden Plas has a 200mm wheelbase extension over the acclaimed Rover 75 Saloon and utilises the considerable strength inherent in the production-saloon body's torsional-rigidity. Available exclusively in high-specification Connoisseur trim, the longer-wheelbase Rover provides increased rear compartment legroom, extra interior lighting and provision for entertainment and IT systems.
Metallic paint is a standard feature and there is the opportunity to further extend, beyond its standard leather upholstery, the choice of interior trim or accessory items, for a fully individual product specification. Whatever specification is selected refinement and good ride quality come as standard in this executive car.
The Vanden Plas is powered by a quad-cam 24-valve, 2.5-litre light-aluminium V6 engine & 5-speed JATCO automatic gearbox, which combines to produce smooth acceleration and good operating economy.
The Vanden Plas Connoisseur Auto model, only available in right-hand-drive form at launch, is priced in the UK at £27,995.

---

FASHION 200
Matthew Williamson is internationally heralded as one of the finest fashion designers working from the United Kingdom. His distinctly whimsical and ultimately feminine creations have won over the hearts of not only the fashion pundits, but also celebrities such as Madonna, Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Moss, Jade Jagger and Helena Christensen.
It should therefore be no surprise that this leader of fashion performance has jumped into the 'front seat' with another great British performer - the Rover car brand. Matthew has agreed a partnership with Rover that will see him act as creative consultant to the Rover car portfolio.
To kick off this new partnership, Matthew has designed a unique Rover 25. In Matthew's inimitable style this racy little number has been painted in a three coat pearl gold that flips to pink.

This subtle colour scheme has been boldly mirrored throughout the interior of the car in a variety of contrasting applications. The door casing inserts, head lining and interior posts have been dressed in gold Indian silk, incorporating a detailed screen-printed design. The moulded fascia sections of the cubby box and instrument surround have been moulded in translucent plastic and backlit in pink for night illumination. A specially commissioned pink leather by Connolly covers the steering wheel and gear selector gaiter. Seat belt buckles are burgundy in colour, with the heating and ventilation controls surround in gold chromate paint.

The grille, rub strips and external badges are treated in pink chromate paint - all to great effect. The beautiful exterior body colour is complemented by 17" Serpent alloy wheels. The car has been specified with a 1.6-litre K Series engine and six-speed Stepspeed transmission.
This one-of-a-kind Rover 25 was unveiled by supermodel Erin O'Connor on Friday 22 February at the culmination of London Fashion Week, before being exhibited here, at the Geneva Motor Show.
Matthew Williamson, commenting on his Rover 25 Art Car Concept, said: "I am absolutely delighted to be working with Rover on the styling of their range of cars. Fashion and cars have always been closely associated. Let's face it - cars are the ultimate fashion accessory!"