MG sees additional potential within the small electrical car (EV) market, with the corporate reportedly contemplating a mannequin to fit underneath the MG 4 that would attain the UK market in 2025.
Talking to Autocar, MG Motor product and planning boss David Allison confirmed the corporate has ambitions to supply an reasonably priced EV with a price ticket of £20,000 (A$39,000).
Mr Allison confirmed an idea of the brand new mannequin – doubtlessly known as the MG 2 – already exists, and will turn into a manufacturing mannequin inside the subsequent two years.
“I believe that it’s an space that nobody has actually exploited efficiently but, as a result of the main focus has been very a lot on bigger automobiles and actually the place they will cost the amount of cash for those that are prepared to pay it,” mentioned Mr Allison to Autocar.
“However I believe there’s an enormous alternative for somebody who can get to the four-metre EV for round €20,000 (A$39,000).
“I believe somebody can do this with an appropriate vary, decent-sized automobile about that value, and I believe that individual will clear up with it. And why not us?
“We have to begin giving folks extra accessible automobiles on the value they really feel snug affording, and that’s what this trade is de facto, actually good at.”
Whereas reflecting on the best timeframe for making a manufacturing model of the so-called ‘MG 2’ idea, Mr Allison mentioned he has “been impressed with how rapidly issues are inclined to occur [at MG]”.
Nonetheless, he went on to say that whereas it could be nice to get the small EV available on the market as quickly as doable, such a schedule could not materialise.
“Product improvement is clearly a long-term factor, however it’s not inconceivable that you may go from idea to manufacturing in as little as two years,” Mr Allison defined.
“It will be nice if we may get one thing like that out there by the tip of subsequent yr. It’s nonetheless a few years away, to be completely sincere. However I don’t suppose it’s inconceivable. And I believe if we are able to do it, I’d actually love to do it.”
If an ‘MG 2’ does eventuate, it must compete with rivals from BYD, Dacia and Vauxhall.
The BYD Dolphin – which can also be offered in Australia – is priced from round £25,000 in England, which transformed to the Aussie greenback equals $48,500, regardless that the Dolphin is priced from round $39,000 domestically.
Moreover, the Dacia Spring – which is a small electrical crossover – is reportedly priced from £17,000 (A$33,000), whereas the Vauxhall Corsa electrical hatchback goes for £32,000 (A$63,000).
Mr Allison didn’t element what platform the potential ‘MG 2’ may use, though it’s doable it may use a smaller model of the bigger MG 4 EV’s Modular Scalable platform – which can also be set to underpin the following technology MG ZS and HS SUVs.
It’s probably the MG 2 would largely be bespoke for the European market and for now isn’t confirmed for Australia.
Mr Allison nonetheless reportedly sees worldwide potential for the pint-sized EV. He cited the work that SAIC’s European design centre in London does in refining and testing MG’s international merchandise.
“It’s the religious house of the model; we’re seen as being fairly pivotal, fairly necessary,” mentioned Mr Allison.
