MG planning ‘a car for everyone’ in Australia

MG Cyberster

MG is planning a slew of new model launches by 2027 that will see it expand upwards into new, higher price points… without abandoning existing segments.

“From MG 3 to Cyberster… each $10,000 I will put one model there [by 2027],” MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao told CarExpert.

“That means from 20 to 30, from 30 to 40, 40 to 50, and even 60 to 70, 70 to 80, 80 to 90 – all the segments, I will have a model launch for that.”

But while MG is introducing its first vehicle worth upwards of $100,000 – the Cyberster – later this year, it still plans to offer affordable light and small cars and SUVs, which have been its bread and butter since coming under Chinese ownership.

“We’re not turning our backs on entry-level cars, we’re evolving as a brand and we’re going to have a car for everyone,” said MG Motor Australia PR manager David Giammetta.

That includes new generations of the MG 3, HS and ZS, due in June, August and October of this year, respectively.

The local MG range tops out at $59,990 drive-away with the MG 4 XPower, though the Cyberster is due in the fourth quarter with a price tag between $100,000 and $150,000.

As to what MG has planned for other segments between now and 2027, we have some clues.

MG has previously indicated it could introduce vehicles to its lineup from fellow SAIC Motor brand IM Motors, a more premium, electric-only brand established in 2020.

In August 2023, Mr Ciao told CarExpert he was looking to bring the IM LS6 electric coupe SUV to Australia.

“I’m still working on this and negotiating with the factory, but I trust the MG brand is capable of selling a wide range of vehicles across a wide range of prices, up to and above $100,000. I don’t think that’s a challenge,” said Mr Ciao.

“In terms of luxury cars under the MG brand in Australia, I have three options, but my aim is to bring the luxury LS6 here first.”

The Tesla Model Y rival features a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain with up to 379kW of power, with over 750km of range on the more generous CLTC drive cycle.

MG had previously indicated the IM brand’s LS7 SUV and L7 sedan were also due here, although this appears to no longer be the case.

The IM lineup also recently expanded to include the L6 sedan, giving the brand a pair of sedans and a pair of SUVs.

The fledgling brand has been seen as a potential competitor by even Porsche.

Should IM models be sold as MGs here, it wouldn’t be the first time the MG badge has been applied to a product from another SAIC Motor brand.

The MG 5 wagon in Europe, for example, is a rebadged Roewe Ei5, while the Mexican-market MG RX8 is a Roewe RX8 and the RX9 for the Philippines is, you guessed it, a Roewe RX9.

Given the next-generation HS is set to be a restyled Roewe RX5, that appears to leave the door open to other MG-badged Roewe models in markets like ours.

In markets like India and Thailand, the MG octagon has even been applied to various LDV/Maxus models.

The large, body-on-frame D90 SUV has become the Gloster; the T60 ute the Extender; the MIFA 7 people mover the Maxus7; and the V80 delivery van the V80.