MG is back – electric and from China

The MG brand had disappeared from Europe for over a decade. But while models like the MG Roadster or the compact MG ZS with BMW technology are slowly being forgotten, the former British auto brand is secretly, quietly and quietly celebrating its return under the Chinese flag.

Almost no marketing, no advertising – unlike its other competitors, the MG brand, now owned by the Chinese auto group SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), relies on the strength of its products. After the mid-range crossover Marvel R and the electric station wagon MG5, the Chinese are now launching the MG4 Electric. And so it directly attacks compact electric vehicles such as VW ID.3, Peugeot e-308 or Opel Astra Electric. The MG argument: a little more cars with a little less budget.

New variable electric platform

The newly developed MSP platform (Modular Scalable Platform) is to SAIC what a modular electrical kit is to Volkswagen. It is highly variable, all-electric and designed for vehicles with a wide variety of battery packs, wheelbases, track widths and bodies. The first model on this new platform is the MG4 Electric. The Stromer from China is somewhat reminiscent of the VW ID.3 or Cupra Born in its proportions, but it does not appear to have been copied.

For the base price of just under 32,000 francs, there’s a seven-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty in addition to good standard equipment with various driver assistance systems. There are two battery packs to choose from, with 51 and 64 kilowatt hours and a range of up to 450 kilometers. While the MG Marvel R is still lacking in charging speed, the MG4 Electric charges at around 140 kilowatts thanks to its new platform.

“MG4 Electric is another milestone in MG Motor’s long history,” said Xinyu Liu, CEO of MG Motor Europe. “As the first vehicle to be based on our new, highly flexible MSP platform, it combines impressive electrical performance, excellent handling and innovative assist systems with ease of use and a highly dynamic design.”

Sales targets reached ahead of schedule

The MG brand and the SAIC Group behind it can rejoice in 2022. More than 2000 MG models were registered in one month for the first time in October. MG has already reached its originally planned sales of 10,000 in Europe in November – the Chinese have tripled registrations compared to 2021. And the current market share of one percent should not be left. “With the MG5 Electric and the MG4 Electric, we added two very attractive vehicles to MG Motor’s product portfolio last year. “We are pleased that they have made a significant contribution to the continuously increasing sales figures and that we have achieved our 2022 sales target ahead of schedule,” said Philipp Hempel, responsible for sales and marketing in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

New MG4 Electric: Is this the first successful model from China?