[DOS]

Do you mean these three vehicles?

Rover 25

Rover 45

Rover 75

45 is still off limit as it is a Honda IP

I thought Honda had seized vital schematics and tooling from Longbridge after MG Rover went into administration, so how could Nanjing legally produce the Rover 45? Even though it would be IP infringement to produce the 45, how could Honda actually feel threatened by a vehicle that uses a Civic chassis that has not been in production for at least five years? After the purchase the MG Rover nameplate Nanjing had to have obtained some concept and prototype vehicles intended to save the company, so does anyone have any information on any possible vehicles?

 

[DOS]

MG ZR = Rebadged Rover 25 owned by SAIC
MG ZS = Rebagded Civic owned by Honda
MG ZT = Rebagded Rover 75 owned by SAIC

The only fundamental difference between the models is that the MGs are more performance oriented, in contrast to the Rovers that had been tuned for comfort, probably somewhat like the Pontiac Buick relationship. Technically the MG ZS is a rebadged Rover 45, which was based on the Honda Civic.

Here are some pictures of the MG equilivants:

MG ZR:

MG ZS:

MG ZT:

Because it is the matter of principle. Rover 45 design is owned by Honda no matter how obsolete it maybe. Nanjing is stealing somebody else's property by choosing to continue producing Rover 45.

My point is that the Rover 25, 45, and 75 are old designs in need of updates that where delayed by MG Rover’s finical situation, so Nanjing would probably either try to negotiate an agreement with Honda to obtain the rights to produce the old 45, continue MG Rover’s attempt to create a replacement based on the 75 chassis, or produce a entirely new product, rather than bothering to illegally replicate the 45 and develop a reputation as an automotive pirate.

 

[DOS]

Nanjing never licensed Rover 25 and 75 from SAIC(They just went to the communist party to shut SAIC up), so why do you expect Nanjing to license 45 from Honda???? Chinese consider paying a license fee for somebody else's design a waste of money.

I don’t expect Nanjing to license the Rover 45 from Honda, I expect Nanjing to develop a replacement for the 45 from the 75’s chassis. Then again, judging from there current situations, it appears that Nanjing only acquired MG to gain a marketing advantage, in contrast to SAIC who acquired Rover’s engineering to accelerate there own R&D. So the reality is SAIC probably will develop a replacement for the 45 based on a shortened 75 chassis, while producing a slightly lengthened 75 to become more competitive in the market place. I hope Nanjing will realize that they are not only incapable of selling a proper vehicle under the current MG lineup, but are also incapable developing suitable replacements, making there best solution either a merger with SAIC, or a partnership to develop these vehicles.