2014 Tesla Model X 'Falcon Doors' May Limit...

MG is now "Modern Gentleman"

 
8 1,826 views January 8, 2007

MG is now "Modern Gentleman"

MG is now "Modern Gentleman"

MG’s new Chinese owner, Nanjing Automobile Group, has decided to change the meaning of the famous initials to help promote the brand in its new home. It's believed the MG name is derived from 'Morris Garages' but Nanjing's Zhang Xin has commented that the firm “wants Chinese consumers to know this brand as Modern Gentleman, to see that this brand represents grace and style."

MG was originally founded in 1923 by Brit Cecil Kimber who used to be the manager of Morris Garages, but the only thing that will remain the same for MG since being taken over by Nanjing is the classic octagon logo, reports Reuters. This is sure to be sad news for UK businessman David James, whose Kimber Group lost out to Nanjing in its attempt to buy parts of Rover.



Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Comments (8)

  1. By MGBMAN Posted: 1/8/2007 11:00am PST

    As an owner of an MGB (for over 25 years) and a fan of MG since I can remember, this is indeed sad news. Why did the Chinese want to buy MG and it's heritage if they were just going to change it? They could have "created" any brand name and made up marketing BS to suit them instead. If they try this revision here in America, as they plan to re-introduce MG, I do not think I will want anything to do with the new "Modern Gentleman."
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By ncbugeye Posted: 1/10/2007 7:45pm PST

    Two letters - that's all Nanjing bought. This trivial transaction did not eviscerate the British motor industry - the British motor industry was responsible for its own demise, and in my opinion the MG name has no relevance any more - the relevance died in the pointless wreck of Austin-Rover. If Kimber Group were serious about producing cars, they wouldn't let the unavailability of those two letter stop them. Where is the Kimber Group car that might otherwise have been called an MG? Nowhere. I love my LBC (little British car), a 1958 Frogeye/Bugeye, and will preserve it for ever, and will not be parted from it, but please let’s move on and drop the pointless nostalgia.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By crab Posted: 1/10/2007 8:35pm PST

    If the nostalgia is pointless, why do we have these cars?
    The MG name has absolutely a great deal of relevance to those who own them and love them. MG means (meant) something and is relevant to an era of classic sports cars.
    I personally feel my cars are 'cheapened' by this ridiculous name that does not have any history behind it.
    Yes, they bought two letters, but what do those two letters mean in the annals of sports car history?
    I don't remember an MG badge on the front of a bugeye.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By rick ingram Posted: 1/10/2007 9:07pm PST

    Sigh.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By No Rice Posted: 1/10/2007 10:45pm PST

    Typical chinese, useless before it's out of the package.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By Gordon Posted: 1/11/2007 9:59am PST

    Life moves on but there is a certain affiliation with the past. If a large coeporation purchased the "Mona Lisa" and renamed it "Betty" the world would cry foul. The MG Marque is part of the automotive history and culture and to desecrate the history and heritage of it's name, is disgracefull. Surely there will be an outpouring of complaints and probably calls for a boycot of the new "Modern Gentleman" cars in the USA.
    It's is a sad moment in automotive history.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. By Greg Cenzer Posted: 1/17/2007 6:39pm PST

    The MG OCTAGON is sacred to MG Bretheren and no matter what any other entities try to do with IT they can never break that Respect! I have been an MG owner since 1956.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. By Ken Nelson Posted: 6/6/2007 10:13pm PDT

    We've left the MG cars of the past and the heritage behind with the new "Modern Gentleman" and China has leveled the playing field. This car will simply be placed alongside all the other new cars available today to be judged on its own merits next to Kia, Hyundai and the rest. Personally, I'm going to head to the Saturn dealer to test drive a Sky convertible.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.
 

Use the form below to send us a tip, give us feedback, or just say hello.

(max 750 characters)