MG South Africa Reveals its New Model Line-Up

The countdown has begun for one of the most anticipated events on the automotive calendar – the official introduction of MG to South Africa.

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. To do this, Kimber re-bodied and tuned up contemporary Morris car models. Its first model was the 14/28 Super Sports. With a top speed of 65mph (104,6km/h), the car was the existing Morris Oxford fitted with a two-seater body. For a comprehensive timeline of MG’s 100-year history please go to https://www.mg.co.uk/mg-centenary

In 2024 MG celebrated the indomitable spirit that has defined the iconic British brand for more than ten decades. Now, as we enter 2025, MG is the strongest it’s ever been.

This evolution of the brand gained significant momentum in 2007 when SAIC Motor (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), a Chinese carmaker based in Shanghai, became the custodian of the revered MG octagon and it finally received the R&D boost it deserved, to not just survive but thrive.

 

Innovative

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. And in its birthplace, the UK, MG has held the title for the fastest-growing automotive brand for the past two years. 

 

Driving Preferences: Three Pillars

According to Mr 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 launching initially with 25 dealers – and with plans for more over the next two years.”

One of the reasons Zhang ascribes to MG’s success is, “we understand that driving preferences vary significantly across regions, and we've placed a strong emphasis on tailoring our offerings to meet the specific tastes of local consumers, engineering these likes and dislikes into our design and engineering processes. This makes MG so much more than just an affordable car; it stands out as a brand designed for mainstream markets with a unique identity.”

MG’s product development focuses on three pillars: “fun to drive, vigorous design, and Hi-tech futuristic”. A user-centred differentiated development strategy is adopted, backed by SAIC’s strong R&D and systemic capabilities, to meet the local needs and standards. In a nutshell, MG launches localised products and services, employing localised marketing communication and service strategies to provide the highest quality automotive products and mobility services to consumers.

 

Committed to SA         

“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,” Zhang 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. And through SAIC’s extensive global network, a steady, locally available inventory of high-quality parts has already been sourced to minimise downtime and deliver efficient servicing.

Reinforcing this commitment to quality and reliability, MG will offer a class-leading warranty and comprehensive service plan, providing customers with absolute confidence and peace of mind.

Final Word

“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,” Zhang concludes.