A well-known and iconic nameplate has made a return to the South African automotive scene. MG, the British born manufacturer and today part of SAIC Motor (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), a Chinese carmaker based in Shanghai, will once again roam our roads.
The timing could not be more fitting. Just over one hundred years ago, MG pioneered the creation of the popular sports car, giving millions around the world an attainable slice of MG magic. When Morris Garages was created by British motoring pioneer, William Morris, it was his General Manager, Cecil Kimber, who was working behind the scenes to produce faster cars with a sportier look.
This evolution of the brand gained significant momentum in 2007 when SAIC Motor became the custodian of the revered MG octagon and finally received the R&D boost it deserved, to not just survive but thrive.
MG vehicles are designed and developed by SAIC, and manufacturing mainly takes place at SAIC's plants in China. Additionally, SAIC produces MG vehicles in Thailand, India, Indonesia and Taiwan for their respective regional markets. From an R&D perspective, MG is still heavily invested in the UK.
In 2018, the company opened SAIC Design Advanced London in the heart of the UK Capital. The London studio allows MG to focus on innovative design concept studies and pre-concepts for future production projects by using state-of-the-art digital modelling before they are turned into more costly physical models.
From a sheer numbers point of view, MG has become the largest single-brand car exporter from China since 2019. In 2023, MG Motor sold approximately 840 000 vehicles globally, with 88 percent of those sales coming from markets outside of China.
According to Sky Zhang, the General Manager for MG Motor South Africa: “We are confident MG will perform just as well in the local market, which is why we are initially launching with 25 dealers – and with plans for more over the next two years.
“MG is 100% committed to the South African market. Backed by SAIC Motor, the largest automotive manufacturer in China and ranked among the Fortune Global 500, MG has a robust foundation for sustainable growth. The brand's arrival in South Africa is a strategic long-term investment.
“SAIC’s infrastructure and resources are dedicated to ensuring local stability, from comprehensive service and support networks to a firm investment in local job creation and partnerships. Our goal is to make MG a reliable presence in South Africa and provide our customers with peace of mind, knowing that they can count on MG for years to come,” he notes.
Proof of this commitment is the priority MG has placed on establishing a sound parts supply chain in South Africa. The company’s National Parts Distribution Centre is already in place in Isando, Kempton Park.
“Our goal is to set a new standard for after-sales support and reliability in the South African market, emphasising MG’s long-term commitment to its customers here,” Sky concludes.
(Images: MG UK).
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