MG bullish about BEV sales potential

FOLLOWING the launch of MG Motor Australia’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) – the MG4 hatch – company CEO Peter Ciao has stated that initial supply of around 1000 units per month could easily expand to 2000 units later in the year, though he declined to comment on whether MG’s combined BEV sales could potentially overtake Tesla’s.

An expanded product line-up is in the works, bookending the range next year with a replacement for the MG3 light hatch and Cyberster electric sportscar, which could also be joined at the top by a high-performance electric luxury SUV flagship dubbed LS6 priced in the region of $100,000.

Speaking to GoAuto at the recent MG4 launch, Mr Ciao said he had a pipeline of enough MG4s to meet anticipated initial demand – there are already more than 1000 orders for the car – and that if sales take off, supply will not be a problem for MG Motor Australia.

“I trust this data from 1000 (units) per month … and I also think (that) we can quickly jump to 2000 per month very soon – 2000 per month (some time) this year,”  he said.

“I hope so this year (but) I’m not sure (when though – maybe) October or November.”

As for which MG4 variant he believed would deliver the biggest volume for MG Motor Australia, Mr Ciao said he expected a fairly even model mix to begin with.

“I didn’t order more of one model than the other – I just ordered a few thousand,” said Mr Ciao.

“I’m not sure which model is going to be the most popular because an electric car for Australia is still a family car. So as a family’s second car, (the MG4 Excite) 51 is absolutely enough – 350km (of range) is totally enough. And when you have a home with a solar charger, I think the (MG4 Excite) 51 will be very popular.

“But for corporate use, I think the 64 will be good for them, and the 77,” he said.

“Above 60 to 80 grand, how many electric cars have sold out? And if you compare the MG4 with them, what’s the difference? So I trust that each (MG4) model will be very very popular.”

When questioned about adding an up-spec Essence trim level to the smaller 51kWh battery MG4, Mr Ciao said: “This will be based on customer feedback – we will only respect that customer feedback. Until now, our strategy has been smallest battery and price first.”

As for the MG4’s potential boost to MG Motor Australia’s existing 4.7 percent market share and seventh manufacturer position, Mr Ciao declined to comment on any sales projections, though he alluded to the likelihood of MG moving further up the ranks by stating what’s coming for the brand next year.

“In 2024, (we) have more models coming now that we have MG4 and MG5 – (we’ll have) the new-generation MG3, new-generation HS (medium SUV), the Cyberster (electric roadster in the fourth quarter of 2024) and one more SUV … so you can imagine what will happen.” 

Australian motoring media recently drove a pair of IM Motors products in China – a brand that forms part of the broader SAIC group alongside MG – and Mr Ciao said he is currently in the process of evaluating what could come here, hopefully badged as an MG.

While the Aussie press drove the large L7 electric limousine and LS7 large electric SUV, Mr Ciao stated that he thinks the forthcoming LS6 model – a smaller and sportier electric SUV – would be better-suited to Australian tastes.

“I’ll just say I’m still working on that and still negotiating … the (forthcoming) LS6 is not large. I’ll focus on this model,” he said.

While Australian-market details of the sleek LS6 remain limited at this stage, MG Motor Australia product manager Kevin Kou provided some insight into its actual sizing. 

“The best way to think about it is probably the S or X of Tesla. It’s about that sort of size comparison,” said Mr Kou. Riding on a 2950mm wheelbase, the LS6 measures 4904mm long, 1988mm wide and 1669mm tall.

Set to launch at the Chengdu Motor Show on August 25, the IM Motors LS6 will be offered in four variants in China – topped by a 579kW/800Nm dual-motor version with all-wheel drive and a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds.

If the LS6 does make it to Australia in 2024 badged as an MG – something that’s also still under negotiation by Mr Ciao – expect its pricing to begin north of $100,000, likely joining the MG Cyberster electric roadster in the six-figure club.

Going forward, MG Motor Australia wants to offer vehicles suited to budget-conscious Australian customers along with sportier and more luxurious models that honour the heritage of the century-old, formerly British MG marque.