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I asked the question to the MG Enthusiast BBS and here's an answer. Ant
comments anyone?
Michael Ohleger
'67 MGB
'70 MGB
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Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 20:35:04 +0000
To: mikeoh@bellatlantic.net
From: Kelvin Fagan <mg.maestro@mgcars.org.uk>
Subject: MGF In The USA
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>From MG Enthusiast March Edition!
Regards
Kelvin.
One of the rumors gaining currency at the Detroit motor show in January was
that both Rover and MG could be returning to the US market. The mostlikley
route is a link with Chrysler.
BMW is keen to see both Rover and MG back in the US market and that may be
sooner rater than later following the official announcement a the Paris
motor show late last year, of the BMW/Chrysler deal to jointly develop a new
small engine to be built in latin America.
The official release gave no details of the engine, save that it would be a
four cylinder unit, but US sources have indicated its capacity is likley to
be 1.4 and 1.6 litres. Prodution levels likley to be around 400.000 unit per
year split between Chrysler & Rover.
The engine will be used to power the new Mini, which is being designed at
Gaydon and which will be built at Longbridge.
The official Rover announcement of the new Mini was also made at the Paris Show.
The links between BMW and Chrysler-could however become closer, if reported
talks between the two companies are succesful. Chrysler areexpanding back
into Europe, not only with the Neon, but also with the Jeep brand and the
new -to the UK- Voyager MPV, while the Dodge Viper and the increasing
involvement in motor sport are considerably raising the Corporations profile.
They could massively benefit from both a joint model development programme
for a vehicle suitable for both the US and European markets. Even more
important would be a European manufacturing base.
It is not inconceivable that a joint programme between BMW Chrysler could
involve Rover, while a candidate for a joint project might be a replacement
for the current Rover 200/400.
Rovers Longbridge plant has the manufacturing capacity and one possible
scenario might be for Rover to build its own and Chrysler badged vehicles
for Europe, with Chrysler carrying out a similar process in America.
Looking into the future with the new Mini, there must be every liklihood of
this being sold in USA as a revolutionary and economical city car. Clearly
with the joint engine programme the Chrysler dealerships would be ideally
placed to achive this.
But what of MG in this scenario?
Current MG marketing policy is to sell only thru specialised dealers and
Chryslers own spacialist vehicles like the prowler, the Dodge Viper and the
possible production of the "Copperhead" styling execise seen in Detroit, are
similarly sold on a selective basis.
Therefore. MG could perfectly dovetail into this in a non-competitive but
established network. At a stroke this would eliminate any problems with
previously uncancelled franchise arrangements, which are claimed to be a
stumbling block to the MG marque returning to the US market.
But what car would MG return to the US with? Since the MGF is not
homologated for the US market, it would have to be with a new vehicle. In
its July 1996 issue, the respected US journal Road & Track carried an artist
impression of an MG GTwhich, it said, was claimed by inside sources to be
destined fot the US. This was said to be a Front Wheel Drive vehicle, with a
hatchback reminiscent of the past MGB GT's.
Road & Track reported that it would share some of the body panels with the
MGF but be longer and wider, the illustration published indicating astrong
family resemblance.
Clearly such a vehicle would also have a strong appeal in traditional
European MG markets.
No indication was given as to the power unit, but the fact that the Front
Wheel Drive Rover Coupe now uses the K series 1.8i VVC engine as used in the
MGF, may provide the answer.
In the absence of official comment, the return of MG to North America must
currently remain a matter of conjecture. What is certain however is that
there remains a pent-up demand for an MG sports car and it is one that
refuses to go away.
It would seem unlikely that BMW will countenance this situation for much
much longer.
Taken from the March 1997 issue of 'MG Enthusiast Magazine'
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The Cambridge & District MG Owners Club Web Site, Give it a look!
http://www.mgcars.org.uk/cambs.mgoc/
http://www.british-cars.org.uk/kimber/cambs.mgoc (USA MIRROR)
email: mg.maestro@mgcars.org.uk
Telephone: Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm +44 (0) 1223 337200 extn.37362
Fax: +44 (0) 1223 350266
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