Roewe () is an automotive

brand A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...

owned by the Chinese automaker

SAIC Motor SAIC Motor Corp., Ltd. (formerly Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) is a Chinese State-owned enterprises of China, state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Anting, Shanghai. Founded in 1955, it is currently the largest of the ...

since 2006. Roewe vehicles were initially based on technology acquired from defunct British carmaker MG Rover. SAIC was unable to purchase the rights to the Rover brand name (which was retained by

BMW Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, trading as BMW Group (commonly abbreviated to BMW (), sometimes anglicised as Bavarian Motor Works), is a German multinational manufacturer of vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Th ...

, subsequently sold to Ford and ultimately returned to

Jaguar Land Rover Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC is the holding company of Jaguar Land Rover, also known as JLR, and is a British multinational automobile manufacturer which produces luxury vehicles and SUVs and has its head office in Whitley, Coventry, Unite ...

) and created the Roewe marque as a replacement. Roewe vehicles are sold in most export markets outside China under the MG marque.

Name

The name ''Roewe'' originates from SAIC's failure to acquire the Rover brand name from

2005 (it was instead sold to Ford in 2006,China debut for Rover-based car
bbc.co.uk, Monday, 20 November 2006, 20:41 GMT and the brand is currently owned by

). Composed of the

Chinese character Chinese characters are logographs used to write the Chinese languages and others from regions historically influenced by Chinese culture. Of the four independently invented writing systems accepted by scholars, they represent the only on ...

s ''Róng'' and ''wēi'', which roughly mean "glorious power", the name is a

transliteration Transliteration is a type of conversion of a text from one script to another that involves swapping letters (thus '' trans-'' + '' liter-'') in predictable ways, such as Greek → and → the digraph , Cyrillic → , Armenian → or L ...

of ''Rover'', although SAIC has stated that it is derived from ''Löwe'', the German word for lion.

History

SAIC purchased technology relating to the

Rover 75 The Rover 75 is a car which was manufactured from 1998 to 2005 and sold under the British Rover marque. It is a large family car and came in four-door saloon and five-door estate body styles. Initially built only with front-wheel drive, a ...

and

Rover 25 The Rover 200 Series, and later the Rover 25, are a series of small family cars that were produced by former British manufacturer Rover (marque), Rover from 1984 until 2005. There have been three distinct generations of the Rover 200. The firs ...

after the 2005 collapse of MG Rover, and the Roewe marque first appeared on a version of the 75, the Roewe 750. Originally intending to purchase all assets of the failed British company, SAIC was outbid by

Nanjing Automobile Nanjing Automobile is a state-owned enterprise with a history that dates from 1947,

. In 2007, SAIC merged with Nanjing Auto, so it now controls those MG Rover properties, such as the MG name and a Birmingham factory, the

Longbridge plant The Longbridge plant is an industrial complex in Longbridge, Birmingham, England, currently leased by SAIC Motor, SAIC as a research and development facility for its MG Motor subsidiary. Vehicle assembly ended in 2016. Opened in 1905, by the lat ...

, that it was initially unable to acquire. English engineering firm Ricardo assisted the development of early Roewe models and set up a new company in the UK, Ricardo (2010) Consultants Ltd, which helped bring the 750 to market. According to SAIC, work on the vehicle was also done in China. In 2007, Ricardo was purchased by SAIC and renamed SAIC Motor UK Technical Centre. It employs over 200 British ex-Rover engineers. The Roewe brand unveiled the Roewe Vision-R electric concept car at the 2015 Guangzhou Auto Show in China that and previews a new generation of the Roewe design language for the Chinese brand, featuring sharp creases and a full width grille that evolved from the previous Roewe shield grille. The new design theme was applied to products launched shortly after such as the Roewe i5, i6, RX3, RX5, RX7, RX8, and Marvel X, as well as facelifts of the Roewe 950 and Roewe 360 Plus. Roewe i6 01 China 2017-04-05

In 2016, Roewe adopted a new design strategy, introducing a more streamlined alphanumeric naming system and a styling approach that featured fewer curves. The first model to represent this shift was the Roewe RX5 SUV, developed in partnership with

Alibaba Group Alibaba Group Holding Limited, branded as Alibaba (), is a Chinese Multinational corporation, multinational technology company specializing in E-commerce in China, e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology. Founded on 28 June 1999 in Hangzho ...

, which provided the

software Software consists of computer programs that instruct the Execution (computing), execution of a computer. Software also includes design documents and specifications. The history of software is closely tied to the development of digital comput ...

for the vehicle. In 2018, Roewe debuted its first electric SUV, the Marvel X, and expanded its offerings with the introduction of the Ei5, a fully electric 5-door station wagon. In 2021, the brand launched its first coupe SUV, the Jing, followed by the release of the hybrid RX3 Pro variant, named Lomemo, in 2022. That same year saw the introduction of a new design language for the RX5's next generation and the release of the premium RX9. In 2023, Roewe introduced a new model line, the D7, while simultaneously streamlining its portfolio by phasing out older, less popular models. In November 2024, SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle announced to roll back the Rising Auto brand into Roewe, ending its history as an independent brand. Rising would turned into a premium electric product line under Roewe.

Logo Evolution

File:Roewe logo.JPG, File:Roewe logo.png, 2018-present SAIC didn't decide to create a new name (autrement dit, a new brand) and a new logo, more than imitate Rover. The new Roewe logo retains the shape of the Rover logo but removes the longship (linked to the history of England) in favor of two lions surrounding a sword, overlooking a Gothic R and with a checkerboard in the background inspired by that of the German manufacturer

, but with the colors red and black. The two lions and the sword feature Chinese and not European script, which reinforces the identity of the new brand. In 2018, SAIC adopted a new logo for Roewe while retaining the shape of the previous one. A new blue colour is associated with innovation and high quality, but with the removal of the checkerboard in the background. The capital letters Roewe are located below the crest.

Products

Roewe

Car

* Roewe i5 (2017–present), compact sedan/station wagon ** Roewe Ei5 (2017–present), compact sedan/station wagon * Roewe D6 (2025–present), compact sedan * Roewe D7 (2023–present), mid-size sedan ** Roewe D7 DMH (2023–present), PHEV variant of D7 ** Roewe M7 (to commence), upgraded variant of D7

SUV

* Roewe RX9 (2022–present), mid-size SUV * Roewe RX5 (2016–present), compact SUV ** Roewe eRX5 (2017–present), PHEV variant of RX5 ** Roewe D5X (2024–present), PHEV variant of RX5

MPV

Roewe iMAX8 The Roewe iMAX8 is a minivan produced by SAIC Motor under the Roewe marque since 2020. It was revealed in September 2020 at Auto China. Overview Concepts The Roewe iMAX8 was first previewed by the Vision-iM concept at Auto Guangzhou in November ...

(2020–present), full-size MPV ** Roewe iMAX8 DMH (to commence), PHEV variant of iMAX8 File:2021 SAIC Roewe i5 (facelift).jpg, Roewe i5 File:Roewe Ei5 facelift 2021092201.jpg, Roewe Ei5 File:Roewe D7 EV 001.jpg, Roewe D7 File:Roewe RX9 003.jpg, Roewe RX9 File:Roewe RX5 III 001.jpg, Roewe RX5 File:Roewe iMax 8 001.jpg,

Roewe iMax8 The Roewe iMAX8 is a minivan produced by SAIC Motor under the Roewe marque since 2020. It was revealed in September 2020 at Auto China. Overview Concepts The Roewe iMAX8 was first previewed by the Vision-iM concept at Auto Guangzhou in November ...

Rising Auto

Rising Auto was originally the "R Brand" in 2020, an offshoot of SAIC's Roewe brand for electric vehicles. It was operated as an independent brand since 2021 but rolled back into Roewe in 2024. It is currently positioned as Roewe's premium product line. File:Rising_Auto_F7_2023072301.jpg, Rising Auto F7 File:Rising_Auto_R7_IMG010.jpg, Rising Auto R7 File:Rising_Auto_RC7_prototype_001.jpg, Rising Auto RC7 (prototype)

Former models

Car

* Roewe Clever (2020–2024), city car *

Roewe i6 Roewe () is an Automotive industry, automotive brand owned by the Chinese automaker SAIC Motor since 2006. Roewe vehicles were initially based on technology acquired from defunct British carmaker MG Rover. SAIC was unable to purchase the rights ...

(2017–2020), compact sedan ** Roewe ei6 (2017–2020), EV variant of i6 * Roewe i6 Max (2020–2024), compact sedan ** Roewe ei6 Max (2020–2024), EV variant of ei6 * Roewe 950/ e950 (2012–2019), mid-size sedan * Roewe 850, mid-size sedan * Roewe 750 (2006–2016), mid-size sedan * Roewe 550 (2008–2014), mid-size sedan * Roewe 360/360 Plus (2015–2018), compact sedan * Roewe 350 (2010–2014), compact sedan *

Roewe E50 The Roewe E50 is an electric car, all-electric car that is manufactured by the China, Chinese manufacturer Roewe. Overview The E50 was originally unveiled as the E1 concept car at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. In November ...

(2013–2016), city car File:2020 SAIC Clever EV360 (front).jpg, Roewe Clever File:Roewe E50 001 China 2014-04-20.JPG,

Roewe e50 The Roewe E50 is an electric car, all-electric car that is manufactured by the China, Chinese manufacturer Roewe. Overview The E50 was originally unveiled as the E1 concept car at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. In November ...

File:Roewe 350 facelift China 2012-06-02.jpg, Roewe 350 File:Roewe 360 01 China 2016-04-16.jpg,

Roewe 360 The Roewe 360 is a compact sedan produced by SAIC Motor, SAIC under Roewe sub-brand from 2015 to 2018. Overview The Roewe 360 was introduced in 2015 as the successor of the Roewe 350 compact sedan. Since SAIC can use GM engines and transmissions ...

File:Roewe 360 Plus 01.jpg, Roewe 360 Plus File:Roewe 550 2 China 2012-06-02.JPG, Roewe 550 File:Roewe e550 China 2016-04-16.jpg, Roewe e550 File:Roewe 750 01 China 2012-04-22.JPG, Roewe 750 File:Roewe 950 01 China 2012-06-02.JPG, Roewe 950 File:Roewe e950 front.jpg, Roewe e950

SUV

* Roewe W5 (2011–2017), mid-size SUV *

Roewe Marvel X The Roewe Marvel X is an electric mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by the Chinese manufacturer SAIC Group under the Roewe brand. The Roewe Marvel X was launched in 2018 and was positioned above the Roewe RX5, and below the Roewe RX8. A re ...

(2018–2021), compact SUV * Roewe RX3 (2017–2023), subcompact SUV * Roewe RX8 (2018–2023), full-size SUV * Roewe Jing (2022–2023), compact coupe SUV File:Roewe W5 China 2016-04-17.jpg, Roewe W5 File:Roewe Marvel X 001 China 2019-04-04.jpg,

File:Roewe RX3 Pro 001.jpg, Roewe RX3 File:Roewe RX8 008 (cropped).jpg, Roewe RX8 File:Roewe Whale 001.jpg, Roewe Jing File:Roewe RX5 Max second facelift 001.jpg, link=, Roewe RX5 MAX

Concepts

* Roewe N1 Concept * Roewe E1 Concept * Roewe Vision-R * Roewe Vision-E * Roewe Vision-i * Roewe Vision-iM * Roewe Max Concept * Roewe R-Aura * Roewe iM8 Concept * Roewe Whale Concept * Roewe Pearl Concept

Sales

A total of 155,336 Roewe vehicles were sold in China in 2013, making it the 29th largest-selling car brand in the country in that year (and the 13th largest-selling Chinese brand).

Exports

Outside of China, Roewe-derived models are currently sold under the MG marque.SAIC expands MG line-up in Europe
bbc.co.uk, 12:38 GMT, Wednesday, 24 March 2010 In 2008, the Roewe 550 and 750 were launched in

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...

under the names MG 550 and MG 750, respectively. The smaller MG 350 and sporty MG 6 were displayed at the eleventh

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

Motor Show in October 2010. European sales first began in

Belarus Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an a ...

, with an MG-badged version of the 550. British car magazine '' Autocar'' tested the Roewe 350 in 2010 suggesting that the model would be built and sold in the UK, but Roewe denied this. Nonetheless, as of April 2011 SAIC's MG6 (a reworked Roewe 550) commenced assembly at the old MG Rover plant in

Longbridge Longbridge is an area in the south-west of Birmingham, England, located near the border with Worcestershire, historically being within this place. Public transport Longbridge is described as a hub for public transport with a number of bus ...

. The European market cars feature certain improvements over its Chinese siblings, meeting

Euro V The European emission standards are vehicle emission standards that regulate pollution from the use of new land surface vehicles sold in the European Union and European Economic Area member states and the United Kingdom, and ships in European ...

rather than

Euro IV The European emission standards are vehicle emission standards that regulate pollution from the use of new land surface vehicles sold in the European Union and European Economic Area member states and the United Kingdom, and ships in Europea ...

emissions standards.SAIC launches new MG car in UK
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China, 2011/04/13

References

External links

* (Chinese) {{Navboxes, list1= {{SAIC Motor {{Automotive industry in China Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2006 SAIC Motor brands Luxury motor vehicle manufacturers