Engineers from SAIC, the company behind MG Motor, co-hosted a global gathering of top automotive aerodynamicists.

Engineers from SAIC Motor Technical Centre, the company behind MG Motor, co-hosted a global gathering of top automotive aerodynamicists in Leamington Spa, UK, in November. 

Recognising the key role vehicle design plays in fuel economy, the EADE (European Aerodynamic Data Exchange) annual meeting welcomed 44 delegates from over 20 global vehicle manufacturers and two wind tunnel facilities.

Held at the Engineering Employers’ Federation (EEF) conference centre in Warwickshire, the annual event gives engineers involved in reducing the drag co-efficient of cars the opportunity to share new developments and data relating to wind tunnel testing. 

These tests are used to understand how well a car travels through the air, producing a set of figures to describe a vehicle’s relative aerodynamic performance.

Vehicle aerodynamics is becoming much more important in the overall design of cars, given the increasing pressure on manufacturers to improve fuel efficiencies and reduce harmful emissions. A car that travels through the air more easily makes for a quieter and more comfortable drive. Accordingly, drag co-efficient has become a highly debated performance statistic among carmakers keen to increase fuel economy.

However, comparing results between facilities around the world is problematic, akin to comparing apples to pears. This is primarily due to variations in wind tunnel facilities where drag coefficients are measured and, to a lesser degree, from variations in testing methodologies.

EADE is collaborative group that enables OEMs to share aerodynamic benchmark testing and strengthen the domestic aerodynamic technology base through sharing non-competitive ideas and technologies.

Nicolas Sabrazat, chief aerodynamic engineer at SAIC Motor, said: “Co-hosting the EADE event in the Midlands this year has been a great pleasure – as it reflects the growing confidence in the re-emergent motor industry here in the UK.”

The SAIC Motor Technical Centre (SMTC) in Longbridge currently boasts an engineering design team of over 250 people. This is the place where new models such as the MG3 supermini and MG GS sports utility vehicle have been designed. Already, the MG GS has been praised for its competitive aerodynamic performance, with engineers from SMTC presenting technical papers on its progressive design.

Looking forward to new models currently under development for MG, Sabrazat comments that the role of aerodynamics will become even more vital for tomorrow’s cars. He said: “With tough new emissions laws being introduced in 2017, and the ever-growing need for greater fuel efficiency, reducing the drag of vehicles is now more important than ever. It is for that reason that we have continued to invest in our resources here in Birmingham.”

Current MG models include the MG3 supermini and MG GS sports utility vehicle, which retail from £8,399 and £14,995 respectively.

MG expands it's design team to cope with all the new models that will be coming out of China, Thailand and Longbridge.

A growing company with a growing product line-up calls for more designers to play their part in developing new models.

MG Motor UK’s design centre, based at Longbridge, Birmingham, has expanded and is continuing to expand its team of designers who play a key role in the MG models on the road of today and the future.

Director of Design, Anthony Williams-Kenny, is now back in the UK after being based in Shanghai for three years. Anthony will be focusing on MG Motor in the UK, as well as on a global level.

The expansion of the team has allowed the design centre to take on more work and to focus on continually improving the products as well as keeping up with trends.

The newest members of the team are Pierre Luigi Ferrari, exterior team lead, and Paul Matthew, interior team lead. Both Pierre and Paul will lead the two teams to design and develop new models as well as ensure that market trends are kept up with and the quality of the products designed is exceptional.

The digital model and clay model teams have expanded, almost doubling in size. Colleagues from China also often come to work in the studio, allowing the team to benefit from cultural influences and shared learning.

Carl Gotham, Chief Designer Advanced, said: “Whilst we have to remain tight-lipped about the products we’re working on, it is certainly an exciting time for MG as we look ahead to future models.

“By bringing in our new team members, we’ve gained incredible talent with a vast amount of experience that can ensure we keep on top of areas such as quality and interior.”

There are currently over 50 people permanently based in the design centre at Longbridge, Birmingham. 

CHINA - GM and SAIC are recalling 2,16 Million vehicles for crankcase corrosion, it never ends, does it.

General Motors' joint venture with SAIC Motor Corp. will recall about 2.16 million vehicles starting Aug. 15 because the engine crankcase valves may corrode, China's principal consumer protection watchdog said today.

The recall applies to roughly 834,000 Buick Excelle vehicles, 1.1 million Chevy Cruzes, 159,000 Chevy Epicas and 18,000 Chevy Aveos, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. 

A Shanghai-based spokeswoman for GM confirmed that the recall only affects China, but did not provide further details.

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General Motors and SAIC Motor partnership further enhanced with a further $5 Billion Investment.

• All-new vehicle family tailored to local customer requirements
• General Motors and SAIC Motor partnership further enhanced

Chevrolet announced today it is investing $5 billion to strengthen its business in global growth markets through the development of an all-new vehicle family that will meet the rapidly changing demands of customers in these markets.

“With a significant majority of anticipated automotive industry growth in 2015 to 2030 outside of mature markets, Chevrolet is taking steps to capitalize on that growth,” said General Motors President Dan Ammann. “Strengthening Chevrolet’s position through this major investment is consistent with our global strategy to ensure long-term profitable growth in the markets where we operate.” 

By creating one all-new vehicle family to replace several existing vehicles, Chevrolet expects to substantially improve competitiveness and profitability by delivering what customers expect in each market while taking maximum advantage of the benefits of global scale.

“This new vehicle family will feature advanced customer-facing technologies focused on connectivity, safety and fuel efficiency delivered at a compelling value,” said Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “It will be a combination of content and value not offered previously by any automaker in these markets that are poised for growth.”

GM has further expanded its successful partnership with SAIC Motor through an agreement to jointly develop the vehicle family core architecture and engine, which it expects will result in significant development cost savings and optimized total vehicle cost. The program represents another important step in GM’s previously stated architecture consolidation plan.

The vehicle family is being developed by a multinational team of engineers and designers assigned to ensure each entry is tailored to meet the expectations of customers in each market. Vehicles will be manufactured and sold in several markets including Brazil, China, India and Mexico, and exported for sale to other important growth markets. There are no plans to export the vehicles to mature markets such as the United States. A high level of localization of parts suppliers should drive significant savings over the life of the program. The program is expected to grow to more than 2 million vehicles annually with the first entry planned for the 2019 model year.

“We have taken many decisive actions over the past few years to restructure our business in specific markets as part of our plan to become a more customer-focused company and to generate superior returns on our owners’ capital,” said Ammann. ”This growth initiative is the next important step toward our goal of building the world’s most valued automotive company.”

More information on the investment plans and all-new vehicle family will be announced in the future in each market.

CHINA - SAIC launches new MG GTS SUV, UK sales need to be sooner than 2016 though.

China’s MG has released the first official images of the new MG GTS SUV, formerly known as the MG CS SUV. The orange car on the official images stands on super large tires nicely filling the wheel arches. The real thing however won’t look so good. The MG GTS will be launched on the Chinese car market in the first half of 2015. Price will start around 120.000 yuan and end around 160.000 yuan.

The MG GTS SUV is based on the third generation (2010) SsangYong Korando. The Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), owner of the MG brand, owned a controlling stake in SsangYong Motor from late 2004 until 2009. Interestingly, new reports have surfaced saying the rear suspension of the MG GTS is based on the suspension of the Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, which is manufactured in Shanghai at the Shanghai-Volkswagen joint venture.  MG calls the platform ‘SSA’.

Exhaust pipes are tiny but otherwise a fine ass. Very usable roof rails and a subtle roof wing.

At launch, the MG GTS will be available with only one engine: a turbocharged 2.0 liter four-cylinder petrol with 220hp and 350nm, mated to a six-speed DCT. Later on a 1.5 turbo four with 167hp and 250nm will joint the line-up, mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

Black roof on orange body very smooth, with chromed roof rails at the border.

Volkswagen extends Chinese partnership until 2041.

• Agreement signed in Federal Chancellery in presence of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Federal Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel
• Volkswagen and further Chinese joint venture partner SAIC agree on new proving ground in Xinjiang province
• Prof. Dr. Winterkorn: “Together with its strong partners Volkswagen is focusing on innovation, eco-friendly technologies and excellently trained employees in China.”
• Cooperation with Ministry of Education: Centers of competence for teacher training to be set up to strengthen expansion of dual vocational training system

After 20 years of successful cooperation the Volkswagen Group and its Chinese joint venture partner First Automotive Works (FAW) are extending their present partnership for a further 25 years, until the year 2041. In addition, the Volkswagen Group and the Chinese joint venture partner SAIC are investing in the Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW) proving ground in Xinjiang province, western China. Both agreements were signed in Berlin today in the presence of Li Keqiang, Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. A joint memorandum concluded with the Chinese Ministry of Education concerning cooperation in the field of vocational training was already signed yesterday in Wolfsburg.

Based on today’s extended cooperation, Volkswagen and FAW will be able to significantly expand existing research and development activities in China and move into new business areas in the coming years, above all in the field of alternative drive technologies. The agreement was signed by Prof. Dr. Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft with responsibility for China and President and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, and Xu Jianyi, Chairman of the FAW Group. Back in July of this year, Volkswagen and FAW agreed to expand their production capacity by building two new plants in Qingdao and Tianjin.

“Together with its strong partners Volkswagen is focusing on innovation, eco-friendly technologies and excellently trained employees in China. Today’s agreements pave the way for the sustainable development of China’s automotive industry and for the Volkswagen Group and its joint ventures to benefit from growth”, Winterkorn underscored during the signing ceremony.

Volkswagen is further expanding its activities in western China – and is joining up with the Chinese joint venture partner SAIC to invest some €100 million in a new proving ground in the Xinjiang region to test models from Shanghai Volkswagen. The facility will be built to the south east of the Urumqi plant commissioned in August 2013. Heizmann and Chen Zhixin, President of SAIC Motor Corporation, also signed a joint agreement to this effect today.

“Our success in China would not have been possible without our long-standing Chinese joint venture partnerships”, Heizmann commented. “We are firmly convinced the extended cooperation with FAW we signed today reinforces our excellent strategic position going forward. We will be introducing our newest testing methods in China at our new proving ground, and will be paying very close attention to the appropriate training for our employees. This is clear testimony of Volkswagen’s commitment to the Chinese market.”

As Prof. Dr. Horst Neumann, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft with responsibility for Human Resources, Organization and IT, underscored: “Dual vocational training along the lines of the system Volkswagen has implemented almost all over the world closely links theory and practice and ensures that young employees acquire a high standard of specialist skills. 

That is why we want to encourage even more higher vocational education institutions in China to commit to dual vocational training.” Together with Prof. Guiren Yuan, the Chinese Minister of Education, Neumann signed on Thursday in Wolfsburg a memorandum on cooperation in the field of vocational training in which the Volkswagen Group and the Chinese government undertake to expand the dual vocational training system in China. Plans include nine centers of competence for teacher training and for teaching programs that closely link theory and practice in line with the German vocational training principle. These educational facilities will specialize in tooling, automation technology, bodyshell technology and automotive technology as well as pedagogy. The first centers have already been set up in Changchun and Yizheng.

The Volkswagen Group is one of the most successful companies in the Chinese automobile industry. Together with its joint venture partners SAIC and FAW, the Volkswagen Group builds models from the Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi and ŠKODA brands for the Chinese market. Vehicle production includes engines and components manufactured locally by the Group and its partners. In total, the Volkswagen Group has a presence at 17 production locations in China comprising eight vehicle sites and nine component sites. Shanghai Volkswagen has already announced the building of a new factory in Changsha to expand vehicle production capacity. Furthermore, FAW-Volkswagen is to construct two new production plants in Qingdao and Tianjin.

In the first three quarters of this year, Volkswagen Group China together with its Chinese joint ventures Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen delivered more than 2.7 million vehicles, an increase of 15.2 percent on the comparable prior-year period.

MG Parent company moves back into Fortune 500 top 100 companies, beating Disney, Coke and Sony.

• MG Motor parent company, SAIC Motor placed 85^th in Global Fortune 500
• SAIC’s 2013 yearly sales revenue total of $92 billion
• MG Motor UK fastest growing automotive brand in the UK for seventh month running
• News announced as MG celebrates its 90^th anniversary and rapid expansion of retailer network in the UK

MG parent company, SAIC Motor, has entered the Global Fortune top 100 with the company’s tenth appearance in the annual Fortune 500 list, moving up 18 places from last year’s result to reach 85^th position, with 2013 yearly sales revenues of $92 billion.

The US based Fortune publication announced this year’s Global Fortune 500, with US giant Wal- Mart retaining the number one spot. SAIC’s 85^th position, saw the Chinese national placed ahead of many well known brands such as Microsoft (104^th), Sony (105^th), Amazon.com (112^th), Google (162^nd), Coca- Cola (224^th) and Walt Disney (232^nd).

SAIC Motor is the market leader for sales in China, last year achieving record global manufacturing and sales of over 5.1 million units, an increase of 13.71% on 2012 sales and the first Chinese automotive manufacturer to exceed five million units in a year. 230,000 units of this extraordinary end of year figure can be attributed to global sales of the MG and Roewe marques.

SAIC Motor continues to grow as a leader in independent technology innovation, with recently announced new powertrain developments and the industrialisation of new energies, as well as the launch of the first manufacturer-owned O2O commerce platform. SAIC has sought to strengthen overseas operation and expand distributions in developing markets like ASEAN, Middle East, South America, specifically with the opening of a SAIC manufacturing facility in Thailand this year, enabling the company to expand into South East Asia, with production capacity expected to be around 50,000 vehicles a year.

2014 celebrates the 90^th anniversary of the MG marque and the most successful year to date for MG Motor UK. Last month, MG announced that the Birmingham based manufacturer had exceeded 2013 total sales in just the first five months 2014. This exceptional growth is set to continue as SMMT figures for June show a 791 per cent month on month, and a phenomenal 833 per cent year to date increase.

The success of the iconic marque has been due to the September 2013 launch of the MG3 supermini and expansion of the MG6 diesel powertrain family, with a new 129g, 350 Nm performance diesel recently added.

The MG3 supermini is fun to buy, fun to drive and fun to own with over one million personalisation options, class leading chassis and driving dynamics, and exceptional value for money aftercare packages. The successful supermini is priced from only £8,399 to £9,999, or on PCP from only £99 a month or from zero deposits. The MG3 benefits from an ultra low 4E insurance group, strong residuals of up to 61 per cent, class leading interior and boot space, and high levels of equipment on all specifications as standard, as well as complete peace of mind with the three years fixed servicing package MG CARE3, the ultimate in carefree ownership.

Voted by customers as the winner of Best Handling and sixth overall Best Car to Own in the 2014 Auto Express Driver Power Awards, the MG6 is already a favourite with MG owners for its drivability, affordability and exceptionally high levels of equipment included as standard. Now the MG6 is even more appealing as all specifications are available from just £15,455 to £19,995, and with the current ‘High 5’ offer, MG6 customers can buy and drive away with complete peace of mind. With servicing, warranty and breakdown cover free for five years, as well as fuel subsidies and affordable finance deals.

Since the launch of the MG3, MG has become the fastest growing automotive brand in the UK with 50 retailers in total, 22 of which opened in 2014 including; Havant, Torquay, south Sheffield, Dudley, Gloucester, north Sheffield, Woking, Spalding, Barnes in West London, Newcastle, Leicester, Harrogate, Doncaster, Northampton, Swindon, Norwich, Falmouth, Brecon, Maidstone, Wareham on the Purbeck peninsula, Oxfordshire and Exeter. 

MG Committed to its UK based European design centre

Today (June 12) SAIC Motor’s European Design Centre at the MG Birmingham site was opened. It has more than doubled in size just three years after the original design studio opened.

The latest investment from SAIC Motor, MG’s parent company, follows on from more than £500 million invested in the development of new models for Europe.

Staff in the newly expanded Design Centre are already working on a range of future MG models, including the new MG3. The latest investment allows the studio, now the fifth largest in Britain, to carry out even more advanced design work. The original studio was part of a £5 million investment programme.

An advanced five-axis milling machine, which allows models in clay or hard materials to be produced within 36 hours, is a major part of the latest upgrade and spending on sophisticated equipment. It also includes a Visualisation Suite where life-size images of models can be projected onto a giant screen that has 2D and 3D capability.

A second design plate, an extremely accurate steel plate set to fine tolerances, has been installed. This allows highly-skilled clay modellers to work on future generations of MG cars.

More than 160 designers at two studios – Shanghai and the MG site in Birmingham – come under the leadership of Anthony Williams-Kenny, SAIC’s Head of Global Design who flew in from China for the opening. Canadian-born Martin Uhlarik heads the European Design Centre in Birmingham.

The designers work closely with the 300 professional engineers at the adjoining SAIC UK Technical Centre. More than 400 people are employed at the MG Birmingham site where the new MG3 will roll off the assembly line later this year. It will become the second modern MG to come out of the Birmingham factory following the MG6 GT fastback and Magnette sport saloon range of petrol and diesel models.

MG UK unveils its latest model to the UK, the MG3

Today (June 12) MG unveiled the full range of styles for the UK MG3 at its Birmingham-based European Design Centre.

The exciting new car carries forward many of the styling cues first illustrated on the MG ZERO concept car, again designed here at SAIC Motors European Design Centre. SAIC, MG’s parent company, is the eight largest automotive company in the world and China’s No1 auto firm.

The UK studio has just undergone an additional investment and is now more than double its original size. It opened just three years ago in what was then a £5 million capital programme. It’s now the fifth largest automotive design studio in Britain.

MG3 is a distinctive statement of modern British style designed to target young and style conscious buyers, wanting something that’s different from anything else in the market.

From launch, MG3 customers will be able to personalise both the exterior and interior of this new supermini MG, making it fun to buy and own, as well as having the MG trademark of being fun to drive.

The MG3 is all about style, fun and offering customers the ability to personalise the car. With three trim levels, 10 colours and a range of at least 10 graphic packs, they will be spoilt for choice! The combinations are almost endless.

Depending on the model choice, exterior highlights include 16” Diamond cut alloy wheels, unique LED ‘hockey stick’ daytime running lights, sport-design bumper, side sill extensions, rear spoiler, sports-design rear valance, chrome exhaust finishers and MG insert headlamps.

Inside the MG3, again depending on trim level and options, key features will be  an easy to use air conditioning system, six-speaker audio, Bluetooth with audio streaming, DAB radio, USB/Aux input, automatic lights, automatic wipers, rear parking sensors, ‘ZERO’ design fabric seats and part-leather trim.

This unique and contemporary style of the MG3 is the work of the 30 design staff and 300 engineers at SAIC’s UK Technical Centre here at the MG Birmingham site in Longbridge, UK.

The MG3 will become the second in a new generation of MG vehicles to leave the assembly line at the Birmingham factory, following the introduction of the MG6 petrol and diesel range of GT fastbacks and Magnette four-door sports saloons.

British Style fun

MG’s UK based design team have given the new MG3 a cheeky touch of flair from every viewing angle.

From the front there is an immediate, distinctive flash of style with the ‘hockey stick’ LED daytime running lights on every trim level, a full width black mesh grille, and black A-Pillar and ‘visor’ wraparound style windscreen. It will make the MG3 unmistakable on the road.

Equally distinctive is the side profiIe. The dual colour side skirts clearly echo the design of the MG ZERO, lowering the stance of the car and hinting at just how much fun the MG3 could be to own. Diamond-cut, dual colour wheels give a real touch of class on the higher trim levels.

From the rear there is a strong pointer to the fun and sportiness that lies at the heart of the MG brand. With a rear valance insert inspired by generations of MG racing cars, a unique superelliptic tail pipe finished in chrome and a body coloured tail spoiler, the MG3  looks distinctly sleek and sporty – a designer’s dream.

SPACE FOR FUN

Normally this is where the compromise comes on small sporty cars – but not with MG3. Fun, entertaining and easy to live with, the MG3 combines style and enjoyment with practical spaciousness. The designers and engineers have combined to create an exceptional amount of space and versatility in a very compact five-door package.

Extensive work from the MG Design and Engineering team on the architectural package has resulted in interior packaging that rivals or surpasses anything in its class. In a 4m long package, the MG3 will easily accommodate four 6ft individuals; a level of accommodation typically associated with larger cars and mirrors the spaciousness of the MG6 range.

The MG3’s ‘rolled and raised’ front dashboard design creates an airy forward cabin space and increased legroom, while allowing excellent access to primary and secondary controls. This theme is continued in the rear of the car, where the front seats are sculpted to allow rear passengers excellent space to travel in comfort.

Class-leading rear headroom is another characteristic which sets the MG3 apart. Many cars in this sector compromise on interior space, particularly in the rear. But rear headroom in the MG3 is more than generous.

So clearly space and comfort have not been compromised in this, the first modern supermini from MG to take the famous octagon brand into a new sector.

FUN TO DRIVE

Designed with the core value of fun to drive, the MG3 chassis has been honed from hundreds of thousands of miles of testing on European roads.  Intended to deliver impressive levels of body control, sharpness and a willingness to corner to engage keen drivers, MG’s world class team of chassis engineers have also delivered sure footed handling and impressive ride comfort. Together this makes the MG3 suitable for every journey, from crowded urban routes, to flowing British B-roads or cruising on a European motorway.

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

In addition to a wide range of body colours a range of personalisation options will be available, allowing the MG3 to be tailored to the individual behind the wheel. Roof, side and bonnet graphics will allow owners to personalise their own MG3. Interior trims, wheels, vents, surrounds and mats will all be available in a choice of designs, colours and finishes allowing you to make your MG3 truly personal.

MG3 – WELCOME TO THE MG FAMILY

Our new baby will be powered by a healthy 105PS version of our own VTi-TECH petrol engine, joining the MG6 DTi-TECH and TCi-TECH engines in the European family. The dynamic and responsive VTi-TECH engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission that makes the MG3 perfectly suited to nipping in and out of city traffic or enjoying a great British B road.

Guy Jones, MG Motor UK’s Sales & Marketing Director said: “This new MG3 is a great package for the increasing number of European customers looking for a stylish small car, that’s affordable and practical to own.

“It’s got a distinctive, cheeky style and will be fun to buy, own and drive, yet still affordable for a wide range of people. It’s the modern interpretation of a small fun MG and shows how we will take the essence of this iconic brand into the future.”

At just 4-metres long and with five doors, MG3 is really easy to drive and park and very practical. It has a distinctive stance and the ‘hockey stick’ daylight running lights help give the MG3 a front ‘face’ unlike any other car.

Jones added: “The reaction to the MG3 has been extremely positive from both male and female customers and it will also mean that MG dealers in Britain will soon have a second all-new model in the showrooms.

“This is a car that that MG enthusiasts and dealers across Europe have been waiting for, but more significantly it will bring a whole new group of customers to the MG brand for the first time.

“Sitting alongside the MG6 models it strengthens our range and will give us an even bigger target audience. Nowadays the possibility to stamp your own personal style on a car is widely appealing and the MG3 offers just that prospect.”