MG Motor details 2022 plans for Australia and NZ

HAVING recently ascended to the top-10 list of manufacturers in the local new-vehicle market (in terms of monthly sales), MG Motor Australia and New Zealand has announced a three-year initiative to install up to as many as 3000 new charging stations Down Under.

In effect, up to 1000 locations, including hotels and resorts, will be provided with electric vehicle charging stations, the firm says. With up to 3000 units on offer, this multi-million-dollar investment by MG Motor will support multiple local businesses across Australia.

Peter Ciao, CEO for MG Motor Australia and New Zealand, said: “In Australia, purchase price is the biggest barrier to adoption of electric vehicles, closely followed by concern at the lack of public charging infrastructure. 

“We have achieved our ambition of delivering value in the electric vehicle market (with the launch of the MG ZS EV in late 2020). Now, we take the next step by supplying charging hardware that can be used by many electric vehicle owners in Australia,” he said. 

The new EV charging network – based on MG’s Aurora charge hub – will be donated to operators across the country. To reiterate, the stations won’t only be available to MG owners, but all EV owners “(to reassure them) they can drive around Australia with ease.” 

MG Motor has opened applications to prospective venue operators, who may submit their expressions of interest at mgelectric.com.au. The first 300-1000 charging stations are set to be delivered and installed within the next 12 months. 

Meanwhile, in line with MG Motor’s “Electric for Everyone” future-product focus, the Chinese brand said that all upcoming MG models that feature hybrid powertrains would be designated as “Plus EV” variants. For example, the HS Plug-In Hybrid’s nomenclature has already changed to HS Plus EV (although the MG ZS EV’s model name remains unchanged). 

“There is still confusion in the market about EV technology,” said Mr Ciao. “The renaming of the HS Plug-In Hybrid makes it clear to buyers they are purchasing an electrified vehicle.”

As for the New Zealand market, “MG Motor worked very hard in Australia over the last two years to build its customer base – now (was) New Zealand’s turn to benefit,” said Mr Ciao.

To that end, the company has introduced an extended warranty and roadside assistance package (the term of which is now seven, as opposed to five years) in New Zealand. The program adds warrant-of-fitness to the package (also valid for the seven-year timeframe).

What’s more, from December 1, all MG vehicles will be advertised with drive-away pricing across the country, “meaning the price displayed is the final price a customer will pay.”

MG will offer Kiwis an opportunity to buy a brand-new vehicle, replete with a seven-year warranty, with seven years’ warrant of fitness and seven years’ roadside assistance, all for one drive-away price at every one of the 14 MG dealerships around New Zealand.

“We want to challenge the notion that a second-hand vehicle is the only option for buyers looking for an affordable car,” said Mr Ciao. “Drive-away pricing adds a new level of transparency and makes the buying process very straightforward.”

By the end of 2021, MG Motor will be represented by more than 90 dealers in Australia and New Zealand, with more than 10 per cent of those coming on board in the last six months.

“We are also rolling out a new corporate identity program that all of our dealers will adopt over the next three years,” an MG Motor spokesman said.

“Thanks to a renewed focus on local area marketing support, MG Motor is focused on embedding our new partners and consolidating our current dealerships. Our focus is on building long-term – and profitable – relationships with our trusted partners.

Therefore, “our dealership footprint is stable and widespread, and there are no plans at present to grow the number (of outlets) in the short term,” the spokesman concluded.