In the next move in Nanjing Automobile's revival of the once great British name, MGs will be offered for sale in China in September in a price range of approximately $23,000 to $40,000.

Nanjing assumed control of MG Rover's major assets in 2005 and is now launching the MG7 series in fifty dealerships.

More than 3,200 orders for the new MGs were placed in July after a strategic road show introduced the MG to Chinese drivers.

A representative of Nanjing, speaking to Reuters, said, "The MG brand is not well known in China, but many people who test drove the car said they liked it."

The long body version of the MG7 is equipped with a 2.5-liter engine and will sell for the equivalent of $39,940.

Models with a 1.8-liter engine will fall in the price range of $22,630 to $26,590.

The highly anticipated launch of the new MGs in the countries of the British Commonwealth and Europe is slated for the end of the year.

If Nanjing's parent company goes forward with plans to fold the automaker's assets into those of SAIC Motor, the result would be a national carmaker with enhanced chances of success in global competition.

The revival of the iconic MG brand with planned worldwide sales is representative of the ambition with which the Chinese carmakers are making their presence known in the highly competitive global automotive marketplace.