Chinese automobile giant SAIC, through its Indian subsidiary MG Motor India, on Friday inaugurated its first car manufacturing facility in India at Halol near Vadodara in Gujarat.

The facility being revamped at a minimum initial investment of Rs 2,000 crore, will have an initial capacity of 80,000 units per annum in the first phase and will roll out its first car in 2019.

Originally, an iconic British Racing Sports Brand - set up in the year 1924 - was acquired by Chinese car giant SAIC in 2008. The latest facility, acquired form the American automobile giant, General Motors, is spread over an area of 170 acres and 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, the company said.

"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 or MG already has 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," Chaba added.

The MG brand has evolved into a modern-day innovative brand through the last 93 years.

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