ET Auto reports that Chinese conglomerate SAIC plans to launch 4-5 MG-branded SUVs in India over the next few years. The range will start at a sub-4m SUV, extend to an electric SUV and to a flagship 7-8-seater Baojun 530-based model.
While discussing the Indian market in the plans of the SAIC-owned British brand, a source has been cited as saying -
India is likely to be a critical contributor to MG Motor’s ambition of selling one million vehicles outside of China by 2025 and it may very well contribute about a fifth of its target or two lakh vehicles if it executes its plans well.
MG Motor India will commence operations with an MG-badged Baojun 530, which will launch in Q2 2019. Moving forward, the company will put one new model into production each year. Speculated to be called the 'MG Gloster' (abridged Gloucester) the Baojun 530-based SUV is expected to cost less than INR 20 lakh. Other the Hyundai Tucson and the Jeep Compass, it will rival the Tata Harrier and the production Kia SP.
The second MG model in India, the E ZS pure electric SUV, will be introduced in the first half of 2020. By 2021, the company will roll out a heavily localised version of the Baojun 510 to take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta.
A sub-4-metre version is currently under consideration but is yet to get approval. If greenlit, the smallest MG model will compete with the Maruti Vitara Brezza (avg. monthly sales between June-Nov 2016 - 13,800 units). At the other extreme, a large 7-8-seater version of the Baojun 530-based SUV would take on the Toyota Fortuner and the Mahindra Alturas G4.
Also Read - Baojun 530-based SUV spied with the MG grille for the first time
The MG 'Gloster' will be produced in Halol, Gujarat, at the erstwhile General Motors plant that made the Cruze and Tavera. The company is currently in the process of establishing a network of 300 outlets across the country.
[Source - auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com]
