[SHANGHAI] Iconic MG brand cars will go on sale in China next month, priced between about US$23,000 and US$40,000, as its new Chinese owner moves to revive the failed British brand.

Nanjing Automobile (Group), which took control of the major assets of MG Rover in 2005, said its Nanjing MG Automotive unit will officially launch the MG 7 series through its nearly 50 dealers nationwide in September.

But the company already received 3,200 orders during a July road show in selected cities, a company official said.

"The MG brand is not well known in China, but many people who test-drove the car said they liked it," the official told Reuters.

The long version of the MG 7 with a 2.5-litre engine will sell for 302,800 yuan while three 1.8-litre models are priced between 171,600 yuan and 201,600 yuan, Nanjing MG Automotive said late on Thursday.

In comparison, the 2.5-litre-engine Roewe 750, developed by its bigger domestic rival SAIC Motor Corp, based on technology it acquired from the British firm, has a price tag between 231,800 and 276,800 yuan. - Reuters