MG celebrates at the end of season dinner, it's manufacturer win in the 2014 BTCC.

TMW THOUGHTS - In a year that MG won the manufacturer title, Jason Plato became the runner up in the title race, with Sam Tordoff, not that far behind, MG has chosen to ignore the fact it has been so successful in the BTCC, there has been NO TV spots, little to no advertising, no mention of whether they will be back next year or not, as we suspect.

MG seems to not really want to sell cars, and that we cant understand, they are a reasonably new manufacturer in the UK, so surely they should be advertising on TV constantly, to boost sales, take the loss now, to build sales, it seems that people like me, and others have a better idea of what needs to be done, or maybe that's the point, perhaps they don't want to sell that many cars here, which then begs the question why bother at all with the BTCC.

With the mew MG3, they also launched a sporty version for a one make race series, so perhaps that's the way forward, maybe they will push that, as a supplier of cars and parts, rather than spend money on an all out BTCC campaign, I am sure we will find out soon, if they can be bothered that is.

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• MG celebrates winning first manufacturer title in Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)
• Trophies formally awarded to champions at prestigious TOCA Night of Champions
• British brand ends Honda’s four year reign as champions
• MG driver Jason Plato runner-up in drivers championship
• MG also celebrating fastest growing manufacturer and 90^th anniversary in 2014

MG celebrated winning its first manufacturer title in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at the TOCA Night of Champions, on Saturday 22 November.

The champions of the 2014 BTCC series and supporting races were formally crowned and awarded their trophies at the prestigious Crown Plaza Heythrop Park Hotel in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

MG collected the BTCC manufacturer’s trophy and the MSA award for the winning manufacturer whilst MG driver Jason Plato collected the runner-up driver’s award in one of the most fiercely contested driver’s championships in decades.

The victory was an incredible result for MG, ending the four year dominance of Honda in the Championship after only forming the team in early 2012. With a capacity grid, increasing number of manufacturers, models and top level drivers combined with rising attendance and media coverage, the 2014 season was referred to as the start of a golden era for British touring cars.  

After collecting the trophies on behalf of MG, Sales and Marketing Director Guy Jones said, “Winning the manufacturer title could not have come at a better time as part of the plan to re-establish the MG brand in the UK and global markets.  

MG has returned to its rightful position at the top of British motorsport in the year that sees MG as the fastest growing brand in the UK and when MG celebrates its 90^th anniversary.  I want to thank everyone again who worked so hard to make this a success both on and off the track.  The team here at MG, Ian Harrison and the team at Triple Eight, the drivers Jason Plato, Sam Tordoff and Tesco, Castrol and all our other sponsor partners.” 

“The BTCC programme has raised awareness of the brand with high-profile TV, online and press coverage that is not only followed in the UK but also across the world. The MG6 GT race car was designed to closely resemble the road car and combined with a very successful mobile showroom next to the track, we maximised the opportunity for BTCC fans to see and touch the latest MG6 and MG3 products.”

MG literally raced to the grid in 2012 where the MG6 GTs turned their wheels in anger for the first time in the opening race and yet the team was winning races from that initial weekend. The goal was to win the manufacturer’s championship but to do this meant defeating the established and highly successful Honda team, reigning champions for the past four years.  It is therefore a great achievement and credit to all at Triple Eight to achieve this in just three seasons.

MG is currently the fastest growing automotive brand in the UK with sales up 556 percent year to date (SMMT data) due to the outstanding value of the British designed products and the major expansion of the national dealer network.  

The MG3 supermini offers top of the range specifications including DAB audio and Bluetooth, finished off with diamond cut alloy wheels all for under £10,000. With a range of over one million exterior and interior personalisation options and group 4E insurance, it is designed to attract a whole new younger generation to the brand, in addition to appealing to loyal MG fans. 

The MG6 is already a favourite with MG owners for its drivability, affordability and exceptionally high levels of standard equipment and was also voted by owners to be the Best Handling and sixth overall Best Car to Own in the 2014 Auto Express Driver Power Awards. The appeal of the MG6 product range has been further increased with the addition of the new 350Nm, 129g CO₂ performance diesel and new business lease rates starting from just £149 per month plus VAT.

MG is also celebrating the 90^th anniversary of the brand in 2014 with exclusive 90^th Limited edition models of both MG6 and MG3 now available.