Team-BHP - 6-seater MG Hector Plus spotted testing. EDIT: Launched at Rs. 13.49 lakh

MG also needs to factor in the prevalent anti-China emotions. Don't know how long these will hold, but the only way to compensate is to price is considerably cheaper than the competitors and offer more features, which they are doing. An additional "discount" of Rs 50K till 13-Aug is also a compensatory measure in this direction especially when the anti China emotion is running strong.

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Originally Posted by Reinhard (Post 4844078)

So in a nutshell the way I see it - customers are going to pay a premium to convert a 5 seater Hector into a 4 seater one with lesser luggage space. Interesting tactic.

Yeah, that's a bit strange. Also, I don't get how this car is labeled a 'plus' when it really seems to be going from a comfortable 5 seater to ultra comfortable 4 seater. An entire 1 comfortable seating is lost, how is that a plus?
(what looks like the last 2 seats, imo not even worth talking about).

Quote:

Originally Posted by k_ajay (Post 4844179)

Think about a husband+wife+parents+2 kids less than 7-8 years old.It makes perfect sense, say, over a 5 year ownership time span, plus it is more powerful (diesel), more feature rich and safer (6 airbags, ESP) than XL-6 or Ertiga.

I believe this pricing will take a fair share away from the Crysta, Ertiga and the XL6.

I wouldn’t mind Crysta numbers declining since it’s been leading the segment for too long and without any real competition.

I love the Crysta but the current prices are just ridiculous.

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Originally Posted by fhdowntheline (Post 4844184)

Right! That's what one would think, but take a good look at the space in that third row seat again. Also it is apparent the cushioning on the last row isn't as good as the 2nd captains seats row, neither the seat base looks comfortable/ inadequate on thigh support. Kids will happily put up with a lot, but not very claustrophobic spaces. Plus the 7-8 yrs old kids will also grow over the ~5 yrs of ownership. With last row up, luggage space is lost as well.

It will suit people and people may still buy it, sure. But fit-for-purpose seems debatable here, on that last row. Captain seats, :thumbs up.

Ultra comfortable 4 seater + luggage, as I'd mentioned.

Despite MG making quite some noise, I see very few Hectors on Bangalore roads. Also, with the current climate it’s going to be tough to get people to walk into the showrooms. Personally I would spend a bit more and get the Harrier in its auto guise . It feels a more premium product to me vs the Hector + as long term reliability is a question. For a 5 seater, I would go for the well accomplished seltos.

Boycott China - Well, this is the tone of many, in urban and rural parts. Call it nationalism or whatever, but the damage caused by Virus, coupled with Galwan stand-off, is weighing too heavily on people's mind.
Personally, I wouldn't plonk my money on MG brand (and avoid products made or having its source in China).

To all those who shall disagree - This is MY personal view, and please note that I was sourcing a lot from aliexpress till Feb 2020.

My friend was considering the Hector but the Anti-China sentiments are quite strong in Bangalore right now, so he has backed off the purchase - thinking (someday) someone might burn his car. While he was conversing with the showroom manager I checked out the Plus and clicked some pics of the 6-Seater (before launch, I'd mistaken it to be a probable 8-Seater). It looks best from this angle I thought (and quite imposing). The third row of seats are not usable at all (I'd just use that area for storage, but that defeats the purpose). On-road price is close to the Rs.24 Lakh mark in the highest version. Showroom was empty, no-thanks to Covid, (and it was launch day).

With those jump seats, targeting Innova or any other MPV is a joke. I think even the Triber has better third row. Taxis might pick up regular hector but not the Plus. This truly is a plus only for chauffeur driven and a big Minus for someone looking for a family car. In the Innova, bucket seat variants are about 8k cheaper than bench seats, should have been the case here as well.

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Originally Posted by Sebring (Post 4844566)

so he has backed off the purchase - thinking (someday) someone might burn his car.

This is a bit far fetched. Your friend should buy the car if he likes it, we can't let fear of the mob dictate our life.

Apart from the cramped 3rd row, the Hector Plus looks promising though I don't see it making any dents in Innova's sales. This is partly due to the massive anti-China sentiments prevailing in the country, thanks to social media.

Most people I have spoken to on the anti-Chinese sentiments don't realize that companies such as MG and Xiaomi have set up subsidiaries in India and are employing thousands of Indians.

Xiaomi has been around since 2014 while MG has been around since 2017. Xiaomi alone employs more than 50,000 Indians in its corporate stores, manufacturing plants, Mi stores and service centres.

MG employs more than 1000 Indians. Any boycott or acts against brands that religiously follow our Government's "Make in India" policy is detrimental to our nation alone and not China. I don't think this is too difficult to understand.

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Originally Posted by Nithesh_M (Post 4844890)

Just remind your friend that all manufacturers in the country rely on Chinese imports to keep their pricing affordable. A quick look on Zauba will tell you who imports what and in how much quantity.

Exactly. Again - most people are ignorant of this fact. Here is my Samsung after opening its back cover:

I've been watching car reviews on YouTube, mainly the new Creta. MG has bombarded YouTube with Ads for Hector Plus. Same advertisement 4 times on the same video. Anyway, i was done with reviews and wanted to check the onroad prices so went to CarWale.com and boom, first a popup for Hector Plus, then the entire page has Hector Plus slideshow on it (See the picture attached).

Also, i feel the more MG tries to portray itself as a British Brand with British actors in the commericals, the more it looks desperate and misguiding. I for one don't really consider nationality when it comes to choosing cars so wouldn't care if MG was Chinese or North Korean or a company owned by the 'Secret Society' as long as it's a good car and makes me happy but the constant pestering of British Heritage and the obvious involvement of influencers and bots on social media to create a fake sense of aura around the brand just leaves a bad taste. It's almost like they are trying to sell a fake heritage feel which cannot substantiate after one single google search and not the car. Not very confidence inspiring inspite of having 5 year warranty and all the cool features.

Leaving the anti China sentiment aside, Hector plus seems good/value for money choice for people who need a 4+2(occasional) seater. Hexa being phased out and XUV (current generation) on its last leg will further help it.

I test drove Petrol manual couple of months before and it was a decent performer with all the bling.