Nanjing Automobile Group will become the first Chinese auto manufacturer to operate in the United States, when it opens a factory to build its MG-brand cars in Oklahoma, state officials there said on Wednesday. Nanjing, which bought Britain's MG Rover out of bankruptcy for $98 million last year, will build facilities in Oklahoma City and an assembly plant in Ardmore—creating some 500 jobs, officials at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce said. The Chinese company also plans to sponsor research and development at the University of Oklahoma. Duke Hale, chief executive of the Nanjing U.S. venture, called MG Motors of North America, said in a statement that Oklahoma “provides an ideal geographic location” for domestic distribution and foreign export. Oklahoma is approximately in the middle of the United States. “We looked at a lot of different locations around the country, but none could equal the overall appeal of Oklahoma,” he said. Nanjing Automobile is one of several Chinese car makers, including Geely Automobile Holdings and Chery Automotive, that plan to enter the U.S. market in the coming years.
