MG Motors, the legendary British automaker, now owned by Chinese manufacturer SAIC has announced plans to enter India. A company has been formed, MG Motors India, with an official statement putting 2019 as the year when they aim to start local operations which is expected to comprise manufacturing of vehicles across segments.
The company is currently in the stage of acquisition and has not elaborated any plans for India official. However, after a careful analysis of the MG global lineup, we believe that this new automaker will enter the Indian market in the B+segment, C-segment and the D-segment.
Looking to the future, there appears to be great potential in these parts as new players like Peugeot and Kia too have hinted at their intentions to use this part of the market as entry point for their presence in the Indian car market. Here then are three vehicles that we believe MG will have when it enters the Indian car market.
MG3 hatchback
This is a B+segment hatchback and will be brought in to rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai Elite i20 and the Honda Jazz. It measures very similar to these cars and even has the same wheelbase as the Baleno. Even a perusal of the feature list indicates things that are now considered standard in the segment like climate control, rain sensing wipers, all four one touch windows, cruise control and multiple airbags.
MG5 sedan
Slotting in one rung above the MG3 hatchback will be the MG5 sedan. It will be brought in to take on the likes of the VW Vento, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and the Hyundai Verna. The international model sports features like climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, sunroof, steering mounted audio controls and leather wrapped steering wheel.
MG GS
SUVs today are the flavour of the market and there is no way that we would expect MG not bring one when it comes to India. Its candidate for this lucrative and rapidly expanding segment will be the MG GS. It’s a new five-seat SUV and measures in at 4.5-metres with a wheelbase of 2.65-metres. At present there are only petrol engines on offer with both AT/MT options but we believe that when this SUV is brought to India there will be a diesel engined variant too.
