MG to mean "Modern Gentleman"?

[nadepalma]

Not really affecting GM (though Lutz once joked on a UK website that after his time is done at GM he'd love to run a smaller company like MG) or affect GM's operations world-wide (at least not yet, the Chinese are coming), but I thought to post it anyway.

The new owners of the former MG Rovers trademarks is now looking to change the meaning behind MG from "Morris Garage" to "Modern Gentleman". The emblem isn't supposed to change, but leave it to the new owners to mess with tradition. Nanjing also owns the rights to the Wolsely, Austin, Morris and Sterling brands.

This is some sad -- and somewhat stuipd -- business...I wonder what Nanjing has planned next?

Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by Auto Blog

SOURCE: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/10/m...ern-gentleman/



It sounds to us like the kind of men's magazine you see at the supermarket. You know the one, the impossibly buffed-up guy on the cover touting a workout that only takes 2 minutes and will make you as solid as an oak tree. Whatever. Modern Gentleman? It sounds too genteel for its own good, nearly obscene. There's pretty much nothing left of the old MG, save the logo and the two letters. Originally denoting Morris Garages, MG's new owner, Nanjing Automobile Group, has elected to change the name to Modern Gentleman. Nanjing wants the brand to represent grace and style to Chinese buyers. Okay, but couldn't they have picked a brand without heritage? MG is less about grace and style than it is about wind in your hair, bugs in your teeth, Prince Of Darkness electrics, incessant leaking and driveway spots marking your little British drophead's territory. At least that's what it means to those of us who ever lusted after a rorty little British roadster. Don't worry so much about the name, just bring us back the MGB GT V8, please.

Originally Posted by Motor Authority

SOURCE: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/n...ern-gentleman/

MG is now “Modern Gentleman”
Posted on Monday 8 January 2007



MG’s new Chinese owner, Nanjing Automobile Group, has decided to change the meaning of the famous initials to help promote the brand in its new home. MG originally stood for Morris Garages but Nanjing’s Zhang Xin has commented that the firm “wants Chinese consumers to know this brand as Modern Gentleman, to see that this brand represents grace and style.”

MG was originally founded in 1923 by Brit Cecil Kimber who used to be the manager of Morris Garages, but the only thing that will remain the same for MG since being taken over by Nanjing is the classic octagon logo, reports Reuters. This is sure to be sad news for UK businessman David James, whose Kimber Group lost out to Nanjing in its attempt to buy parts of Rover.

[mgescuro]

... and here i thought it was just my nickname here...

Personally, I think this is marketing gone wrong. It's exactly where you don't want to go.

[Butz]

Damn Nanjing, could you be any more stupid?!

[Odin]

maybe they should change it to MC Modern Crap

[Martino_z]

The chinese sure are a smart bunch.

[Odin]

whos that in your avatar? or rather what is it?

[GM-Joe]

Modern Garbage

[Odin]

^^ thats a good one

[redimpss5]

MG Has come out of the closet!

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

... and here i thought it was just my nickname here...

Personally, I think this is marketing gone wrong. It's exactly where you don't want to go.

totally agree... what only men are supposed to buy them now.. wtf... and Gentleman .... i dont even know where to start with that..

i hope they are not serious

[AndrewGS]

Those wacky Chinese!

[mbukukanyau]

Man you change the meaning of MG... and you just gave away everything the brand holds

[ByTheLake]

Sure, then GM could stand for Gentle Man.

[driver]

Metrosexual Gentleman?

[kenman923]

They would be better off selling MG to Ford to go with their Jaguar/Land Rover/Rover portfolio.