Honda secretly looking to buy MG Rover?

[Kirby]

Autocar has been told that a Honda delegation from Japan paid a visit to part of the closed Longbridge factory in mid-May. The delegation is said to have been accompanied by senior trade union officials.

Although there is no chance of Honda rescuing the defunct MG Rover operation, it is possible that Honda might have an interest in the MG brand itself. Despite years of trying, Honda has never had great success selling sports cars under its own name. Neither the NSX supercar or the S2000 roadster made a breakthrough in global markets. Indeed, the NSX is said to have been inspired by the aluminium, mid-engined V6 Austin-Rover-built MG EX-E concept of 1986.

The same source revealed that MGR’s paint shop is under orders to remain on standby by ‘keeping the paint fresh’, though there’s no clue so far as to why.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

I don't see how a name like MG is going to help Honda shift more sportscars. MG isn't exactly the last word in precision and reliability...

 

[epj3]

I can definitely see the resemblence to the NSX

 

[Kirby]

Maybe they think they can mimick BMW's successful resurrection of MINI?

 

[PhatBimmer]

Maybe they think they can mimick BMW's successful resurrection of MINI?

 

[bmw046series]

[Honda has never had great success selling sports cars under its own name]

And no car from Asia ever will!

 

[KevRC4130]

[Honda has never had great success selling sports cars under its own name]

And no car from Asia ever will!

I'm sure they said that about Asian trucks. Now look, Toyota Tundras and Honda Ridgelines are kicking the Big Three's asses in every magazine comparo, and sales figures are also rising...

 

[PhatBimmer]

Honda is actually selling that ugly ass PIck UP?

Why is BMW under flame war and Honda gets away with ugly ass cars?

I'll never understand

 

[epj3]

Honda is actually selling that ugly ass PIck UP?

Why is BMW under flame war and Honda gets away with ugly ass cars?

I'll never understand

I saw one of those trucks today, it was actually pretty cool looking.

 

[bmw046series]

Cool, it's just an Escalade/Avalanche, THE JAPANESE HAVE NO CREATIVITY!

Those magazines are biased to them thats why they always have been!

 

[PhatBimmer]

Cool, it's just an Escalade/Avalanche, THE JAPANESE HAVE NO CREATIVITY!

Those magazines are biased to them thats why they always have been!

I must agree with him.

I like Audi's commercial

Lead > Follow

 

[brahtw8]

Indeed, the NSX is said to have been inspired by the aluminium, mid-engined V6 Austin-Rover-built MG EX-E concept of 1986.

This is true. The resemblance is even more striking when you see the rear of the EX-E:

 

[Tom]

I figured Honda might have some interest in this since they have been selling Honda badge under the Rover name since the 90's.

 

[codex57]

Maybe they want the plant? They already build the Civic hatch there. maybe they wanna expand?

 

[brahtw8]

I figured Honda might have some interest in this since they have been selling Honda badge under the Rover name since the 90's.

It even goes back further than that. Recall the Sterling by Rover brand and the 825/827 models that were re-badged, re-trimmed 1st Gen. Acura Legends in the latter part of the 1980s. (I believe 1987 was the first year of the Sterling and 1990 or 1991 was the last year). The Japanese parts worked quite well, but the British parts did not.