Who's behind the badge

MG

Owned by SAIC Motor, one of China's largest state-owned car makers.

MG is a British name whose last British owner, MG Rover, collapsed in 2005. That is when the brand went to China.

Nanjing Automobile bought MG Rover's assets, including the Longbridge factory, and moved production lines to Nanjing. SAIC had already bought the rights to the Rover 25 and 75 and the K-Series engine in 2004. In 2007 SAIC took over Nanjing Automobile, bringing MG into SAIC.

Today's UK MGs, from the MG3 to the Cyberster, are designed and built by SAIC in China. The IM5 and IM6 come from IM Motors, a premium electric brand SAIC set up with Alibaba and Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park; in the UK they are sold under the MG badge.

Timeline

2004 SAIC buys the rights to the Rover 25 and 75 and the K-Series engine.
2005 MG Rover goes into administration (April). Nanjing Automobile buys its assets, including Longbridge (July).
2007 SAIC takes over Nanjing Automobile (December); MG becomes an SAIC brand.
2024 Reports that IM models will be sold as MG in Europe.
2025 MG shows the IM5 and IM6 for the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (July).