Not a lot of automakers can say they’ve reached 100 years, but one British automaker can say it has. That company is Morris Garages, better known as MG.
Founded by Cecil Kimber in 1924, it started out as a sales and service center for Morris vehicles. Its first car was launched the same year it was established. Dubbed the MG 14/28, it was a sporting version of Morris Oxford.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Toyota Hiace, Lite Ace get PTV and ambulance packages
Heads-up, purists: The Porsche 911 hybrid is coming this year
MG: The early years
Through the ‘20s and ‘30s, MG expanded its range with more roadsters, along with small, medium, and executive cars. The Second World War momentarily paused production, but it was full steam ahead for the brand afterwards. It resumed building sporty roadsters and sedans, dusting off the production line that was left idling during the war.
Going strong
But it was in the ‘50s and ‘60s that MG enjoyed a huge chunk of success. The mid-‘50s ushered in a new wave of lightweight British roadster with the 1955 MGA at the forefront. It was succeeded by the MGB and MGB GT Coupe in the ‘60s. The MGB was accompanied by a smaller model dubbed the Midget, and the company even made sportier versions of the Austin 1100/1300, simply called the MG 1100/1300.
The (in)famous British Leyland
By the late ’60’s, however, MG would be merged with British Leyland (BL). BL would put all of Britain’s major automakers under one roof, but it was far from a harmonious and peaceful home for all of them. In-fighting within BL family brands, strikes and labor disruptions, and shrinking sales marred the British automotive industry in the ‘70s, and MG wasn’t spared from that.
MG trundled through the decade with an aging lineup on no real new development. By the ‘80s, MG had simply become the sportier division of Austin and Rover, something that it would be until 2005. That year, the Nanjing Automobile Group bought the rights to MG Rover and all its assets, bringing us to the MG Motor of today.
From the ashes and MG today
These days, MG is now called MG Motor as part of SAIC Motor. The models are more mainstream focused these days, but one can say there is still a hint of sportiness in its products. Locally, it has exchanged hands a few times with the most recent one being its move from The Covenant Car Company Corporation to now being directly under SAIC.
Aside from a range of sedans and crossovers, the most recent being the One, MG is also banking on electric vehicles. Models such as the ZS EV, Marvel R, and MG4 are clear representatives of that direction. Of course, it hasn’t totally forgotten about its roadster roots with the pure electric Cyberster.
The past 100 years have seen MG reach the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Despite all the challenges in between, the brand has remained resilient for it to still be standing to this day. So, happy 100th, MG, and here’s to 100 more years.
