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.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News_Article.asp?NA_ID=215246

 

given the limited production numbers of the s2000, and the pricing and "supercar" label stuck to the NSX, was either car really intended to make a "breakthrough" in global markets?

i gotta admit, this would be interesting if it came true (IF). but i'm not convinced it would do them a lot of good. if honda is really that interested in selling large numbers of sports cars globally, they first need to be willing to invest that heavily in such an endeavor. i don't see the s2000 or nsx as being that kind of investment AT ALL. they've never showed any real interest in a concentrated sports car market, always favoring the efficient, economical philosophy.

 

IMO, the real motivation for Honda's visit to the Longbridge site is the building itself.
I don't see them purchasing the MG brand... the Rover-rebadged Accords and Legends of the 80's and 90's didn't sell well on either side of the Atlantic.

I bet they want the factory - or at least the site - to expand production for western Europe.

 

My dad had a Sterling 825SL back in the day. h:

 

They sold a few down here, too... I liked the design of the Sterling, frankly.

But the 93-98 Rover 600 series... that is another story.
:reechy: Can you guess the roots of this car?



I think they also sold a massacred coupé version.

 

The coupe was called the 200i wasnt it? Or was it the Vittese? I have a Rover sales brochure but I dont feel like digging it out. Maybe later Ill scan some shit.

Those Sterlings are like British Peugots. Only enthusiast nutcases would buy one.

 

Yup, that's my dad. He got it right after his '84 Supra.

And the Sterling was a Rover version of a 1st gen Legend that arguably looked better and had some nicer features. Too bad it had none of the Honda reliability.

My dad actually replaced his Sterling with a Legend.

 

You mean, Celica Supra