UK-based car maker MG Motor, owned by Chinese auto giant SAIC, has announced the inauguration of its first manufacturing facility at Halol, Gujarat in India. The company said it will be making an initial investment of Rs. 2000 crore with an initial capacity of 80,000 units per year in the first phase. MG Motor India will roll-out its first product from the plant sometime in 2019. MG's Halol plant is the same unit that was used by General Motors earlier to produce Chevrolet vehicles.
Also Read: MG Motor India Completes Take Over Of Halol Plant From GM
Morris Garages or MG Motor's new facility is spread over 170 acres and will be completely revamped by 2019. An initial workforce of 70 employees has been hired at the plant, while the company says the plant will create a significant number of jobs, apart from creating additional indirect jobs in the state.
(MG Motor India, President and MD, Rajeev Chaba and the team)
Speaking on the new plant, MG Motor - Managing Director, Rajeev Chaba said, "Today is a water-shed moment for the MG brand in India with the inauguration of our first-ever manufacturing facility here. Overall, we aim to positively contribute to the ecosystem here in Gujarat including all stakeholders by generating employment opportunities for local talent, leveraging the capable supplier base and contributing to the overall benefit of the society and community here."
MG Motor India - Executive Director P Balendran said, "We greatly appreciate the pro-active approach displayed by the Gujarat government in facilitating the smooth transfer approval of the Halol plant and granting us the required approvals to re-start the operations. With this, we are very proud to play our role to the 'Make in India' initiative, contributing to the overall positive and sustainable development of the society here. With the takeover and other transfer formalities having completed, we will start refurbishing the entire plant very soon, with MG's state-of-the-art manufacturing tools, equipment and processes."
(MG Motor India Halol plant employees)
MG Motor has a huge recall in India as well with at least 500 owners in the country since 1924. Some of its models can be still found as part of vintage/classic car rallies in different parts of the country.
Adding further, Chaba said, "These owners and many passionate fans have expressed their curiosity, keenly anticipating the brand's return to India. The first product will roll out from here in 2019, blending MG's true DNA with modern British design language."
The MG brand finds its origins as a British Racing Sports Brand in the year 1924 and has evolved into a modern-day car maker over the years. While the original MG Rover brand was shut in 2005, the company was acquired by China-based Nanjing Automobile in 2006, while the latter was acquired by SAIC in 2007.
