The state-of-the-art facility,
spread over an area of 170 acres, will be completely revamped by MG Motor by
2019. The company has already hired an initial workforce of 70 employees at the
plant. The facility will entail creation of significant number of jobs, apart
from several additional indirect jobs in the state, as part of the ‘Make in
India’ and ‘Skill India’ initiatives.
Motown India had reported in
June 2017 about MG Motor plans to set up a facility in India. MG Motor India is
a fully owned subsidiary of SAIC Motor
Corporation, one of the biggest corporations in the world and the largest
automobile giant in China.
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MOTOR TO SET UP ITS FIRST CAR MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN INDIA
“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,” said Rajeev Chaba,
President and Managing Director, MG Motor India.
“The Morris Garages brand
already has a huge resonance in India with at least 500 owners in India since
1924, when the brand was first established in the UK. 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,” Chaba added.
“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,” said P Balendran, Executive Director, MG Motor India.
Founded in the UK in 1924, MG
(Morris Garages) was world famous for its sports cars/cabriolet series, sought
after by many celebrities including British Prime Ministers and even the
British royal family. Set up in 1930 in Abingdon, UK, the MG Car Club has more
than a million loyal fans, making it by far one of the world's largest clubs
for a single brand. SAIC acquired the MG brand and its businesses in 2008.