MG, which is rapidly expanding its new car sales and retail network, has appointed Seward Group in Hampshire as a franchisee. 

Seward's outlet in Havant had remained an XPart service specialist for MG Rover cars since the carmaker's collapse, and has now take on the franchise of the MG brand reborn under Chinese ownership.

Seward Group's other franchises include Renault, Dacia, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Subaru.

Central Garages in Torbay has also taken on an MG franchise alongside its Mazda business.

A spokesman for MG said further dealer appointments will be announced shortly as the brand expects to have around 80 sales points on board by the end of 2014.

Read AM's in-depth analysis of the MG brand here.