The MG Hector made at the Halol plant in Gujarat won't be sold only in the domestic market. The demand in the domestic market for C-SUVs isn't that big, and so, exports will be required to boost the sales.
In an interview with BW Business World, Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India, was asked about the company's export plans. In response, this is what Chaba said:
At this point of time at least in Phase 1, which is this two year kind of a strategy, we are not thinking of export, but yes, the neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Bhutan and Nepal there we would be exporting it right but not to Europe or to some other country at this point of time is too early to talk about them.
The MG Hector is one of the three different versions of China's Baojun 530 intended for overseas markets. The other two are the Wuling Almaz and the Chevrolet Captiva. Both the other international versions are made in Indonesia. So, clearly, exporting to ASEAN markets is out of the question. As per a previous report, MG Motor has set an annual sales target (domestic) of 18,000 units for the Hector. The annual sales of its arch-rival Jeep Compass last year was 18,287 units.
Like the Hyundai Venue that falls in a lower segment, the MG Hector is being marketed as a connected SUV. In addition to a plethora of connected vehicle technologies, it will be sold with 16 first-in-segment features, including 360-degree camera view, front parking sensors, 7-inch coloured MID, reclining second-row seat, ambient lighting with 8 colour options, 10.4-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system and 4-way power adjustable co-driver seat.
MG's debut SUV in India will be offered with a 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine (143 PS/250 Nm) and a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine (170 PS/350 Nm). 6-speed manual and 6-speed dual-clutch automatic will be the transmission choices. A mild-hybrid system (a segment-first) that reduces fuel consumption by 12% will also be available. The following will be the configurations available and their fuel economy rating:
- 1.5L petrol, 6-speed MT, FWD, 14.16 km/l
- 1.5L petrol, 6-speed AT, FWD, 13.96 km/l
- 1.5L petrol-electric mild-hybrid, 6-speed MT, FWD, 15.81 km/l
- 2.0L diesel, 6-speed MT, FWD, 17.41 km/l
The MG Hector will likely retail in a price bracket of INR 15 to 20 lakh (ex-showroom) and will rival the likes of Tata Harrier and Jeep Compass, both of which are also locally manufactured C-SUVs. It will go up for pre-orders in the first week of June, with a launch following later the same month.
Also Read: 2020 MG ZS (facelift) leaked, looks sportier than the India-bound MG eZS
Following the MG Hector, India will get the MG eZS, in Q4 2019. However, this one will be a CBU import from China.
[Source 1: b2usinessworld.in]
[Source 2: autocarindia.com]
