MG, a famous British automotive brand now under Chinese ownership, has made its debut in Bahrain with the unveiling of the 550 at a ceremony at the Zayani Motors showroom in Sitra.
The launch by Zayani Motors, its official distributor, took place in the presence of company officials and media representatives who last week flocked to get a glimpse of the new model.
Originally Morris Garages (MG), the company has changed hands several times over the last decade and is now owned by leading Far East automotive group Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).
Speaking at the unveiling, Zayani Motors managing director Nawaf Al Zayani said: “We are celebrating a new era for Zayani Motors and its customers. This year marks a new milestone for us as we partner with SAIC in bringing home its flagship brand MG.
“MG’s presence in Bahrain is marked with the introduction of the all-new MG550. This luxury sports sedan is compact and modern-looking and is all set to offer an unrivalled driving experience.”
Its makers say that the marque offers a smooth and comfortable ride while staying true to its sporty heritage.
The MG550 is a far cry from the traditional two-seater convertible roadsters the brand was once famous for and marks a new direction in terms of both style and production. It boasts a compact design and comes with a 1.8-litre light pressure turbo 4-cylinder engine, which powers the front wheels via a 5-speed tiptronic gearbox.
Mr Al Zayani said that despite the brand changing hands several times over the years, the new partnership with SAIC is different because it combines the best of British design with a Chinese ability to continuously invest and provide the support the brand needs.
He said: “Unlike when the brand was owned by BMW and the designs were limited so it would not be in competition with the BMW model range, MG now has the freedom it needs to succeed and we are confident the MG550 will be a resounding success.
“In the coming months we look forward to introducing more MG sedans including the MG3 and MG350.”
The MG550 starts from BD6,500. For more information contact Zayani Motors on 17703703.