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A test mule of the MG RX5 SUV has been spotted testing in Pune. The RX5 is sold under the MG badge in the Middle-East market and offered in China under the Roewe brand. The test car is left-hand drive, which suggests that it is likely to have been imported from one of the aforementioned markets.

The spy images suggest that the test car is based on the 2018 MG RX5, given its tweaked front fascia. The newer model has a larger V-shaped grille and C-shaped LED DRLs. At the rear, the RX5 has a raked windshield with a rear wiper and wraparound tail lights. It has roof rails and an integrated rear spoiler. The test car can be seen sporting dual-tone alloy wheels.

In the Middle-Eastern market, the MG RX5 is offered with a choice of two petrol engines. The base 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine produces 166 BHP @ 5,600 rpm and 250 Nm @ 1,700-4,400 rpm. The 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol unit puts out 217 BHP @ 5,300 rpm and 350 Nm of torque @ 2,500-4,000 rpm. Transmission options include a 7-speed and 6-speed automatic, while all-wheel drive is offered only on the top-spec trim.

Meanwhile, a test mule of the Baojun 530 SUV has also been spotted testing in India, which suggests that MG might also be evaluating the Chinese SUV for the Indian market.

A test mule of SAIC's Baojun 530 SUV has been spotted in India. Reports suggest that MG Motor India will launch a re-engineered version this SUV in India.

The Baojun 530 was first unveiled at the 2017 Guangzhou Auto Show. The Chinese version measures 4,655 mm in length, 1,835 mm in width and 1,760 mm in height. It has a large single-piece, gloss black grille with a silver frame and thin LED headlights on either side. The rear features wraparound tail lights and a dual-tone bumper with a silver scuff plate and integrated twin exhausts. The SUV gets blacked-out B, C and D-pillars and plastic cladding around the wheel arches and on the door sills.

In China, the SUV is offered with a choice of a 1.8-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and a 1.5-litre, turbocharged petrol unit. The Indian version is expected to get a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine. 

Source: Autocar India

MG has started testing electric vehicles (EV) in India. Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India has told the media that the carmaker is currently testing two electric models in India. In addition to the Roewe ERX5 all-electric SUV, which was recently spotted in Halol, Gujarat, MG is also testing the SAIC E100 micro-mini to see how these cars perform in the unique driving and climatic conditions of the subcontinent.

MG Motor and Roewe are a part of the Chinese SAIC Motor Corp. The ERX5 is a mid-size SUV, which measures 4,554 mm in length, 1,855 mm in width, 1,719 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. It is powered by an electric motor with 114 BHP and 255 Nm of torque and a 48.3 kWh lithium battery offering a maximum range of 425 km. It has a claimed top speed of 135 km/h. The battery can be recharged to 80% of its total capacity in 40 minutes. The SUV is also offered as a plug-in hybrid (eRX5) in the Chinese market.

The SAIC E100 is two-door micro-mini with a wheelbase of 1,600 mm. It is a city car that can accommodate 2 adults. A lithium-ion battery and an electric motor, which generates 39 BHP and 110 Nm of peak torque, power the E100. It has a claimed top speed of 100 km/h and maximum range is 155 km on a single charge. Re-charging the battery takes 7.5 hours.

Last month, it was reported that MG Motor was planning to invest Rs. 5,000 crore in India by 2025. A part of the investment would be used to develop new products including EVs. In the meantime, the carmaker is gearing up to launch its first product in India in Q2 2019.

Source: Livemint

MG Motor India has announced that it will be conducting dealer road shows starting March 28, 2018. According to a media report, the company will showcase its ZS SUV at these events that are scheduled to take place in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. 

The MG ZS was unveiled at the 2016 Guangzhou Auto Show. In 2017, the SUV was launched in China and the United Kingdom. It measures 4,314 mm in overall length, 2,048 mm in width and 1,636 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,585 mm and it comes equipped with a 48-litre fuel tank. 

The MG ZS has a chrome grille up front with single-pod headlamps on either side. The dual-tone front bumper has an integrated scuff plate and fog lamps with chrome trim. The ZS comes with chrome trim along the window line and doorsills. The rear features wraparound tail lights with a large 'MG' logo in the centre of the tail gate. It has a dual-tone rear bumper with integrated reflectors and a scuff plate, roof spoiler with HMSL and a rear wiper.

In the UK, the ZS is offered with a choice two engines. The 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine produces 105 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 141 Nm of torque @ 4,500 rpm and comes paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine makes 110 BHP @ 5,200 rpm and 160 Nm @ 1,800-4,700 rpm and is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

In India, the MG ZS is expected to be offered with a Fiat-sourced 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder diesel engine that also powers the Jeep Compass. Besides this, it will reportedly be offered with a 1.8-litre, mild-hybrid petrol engine as well.

Source: Autocar India

MG Motor India is gearing up to launch its first SUV in 2019. While the carmaker hasn't confirmed the exact model, rumours suggest that it is likely to be the ZS or GS. Further, it has been reported that MG's first SUV could be powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that is offered on the Jeep Compass. 

The upcoming SUV will be built at MG Motor India's Halol plant. The 2.0-litre diesel engine will be sourced from Fiat Chrysler Automobile's (FCA) Pune factory. In the Jeep Compass, the 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel unit makes 171 BHP and 350 Nm of peak torque. The same engine is expected to be offered on the upcoming Tata H5X SUV. Besides, a 1.5-litre or 1.8-litre petrol engine that will be built in-house will reportedly power the petrol version of the MG SUV. 

MG Motor India hasn't made any official announcement confirming these reports. However, the company recently announced that it plans to increase its investment to Rs. 5,000 crore by 2025. The SAIC-owned brand is also considering electric vehicles for India.

Source: Times of India

MG Motor has invested Rs. 2,000 crore in its Indian operations till date. The SAIC-owned brand plans to add another Rs. 3,000 crore by 2025. 

According to a media report, the fresh investment will be used to develop new products including an electric vehicle (EV). The carmaker plans to launch one new product every year starting 2019. The additional investment will help upgrade its production facility at Halol, Gujarat, increasing the installed capacity from 80,000 units to 1,00,000 units per annum. MG Motor India also plans to increase its workforce by 1,000 employees by the end of 2018.

MG Motor India's first product would be an SUV, which is expected to be launched in Q2 of next year. According to the carmaker, localisation of 80-85% of the parts required for the SUV has been completed and the company is now in the process of setting up a vendor base.

MG Motor India has also announced that it will be conducting dealer road shows across the country to connect with prospective dealer partners. The road shows will be held in Mumbai on March 28, 2018 followed by Delhi on April 6 and in Bangalore on April 16. The company aims to setup 300 sales and service outlets in India over the next 2 years. MG Motor India is reportedly hoping to sell 2,00,000 units in the first 5-6 years.

Source: The Economic Times

In a bid to promote the brand in India, MG Motor India is reaching out to MG classic car owners in the country. The brand plans to conduct meet ups and various other events for MG owners across India.

MG classic car owners interested in attending these events need to fill out a form available on the following links - 

Facebook Form Link - http://bit.ly/2n61Odb

Google Form Link - http://bit.ly/2G4N727

The MG Car Company Limited was founded in the 1920s in the United Kingdom. Its first car was the MG Old Number One. Early MG cars were imported into India however the British brand, now owned by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) will be building its new cars locally.

In September 2017, MG Motor inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in India. General Motors India previously owned this facility. While the production at the Halol unit is set to kick off in 2019, MG Motor hasn't confirmed the models that will be offered in India.

The Chinese-owned British brand - MG Motor today inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in India. The factory spread over 170 acres in Halol, Gujarat has been setup with an initial investment of Rs. 2,000 crore and has an installed capacity of 80,000 units per annum in the first phase. It currently employs 70 people which is expected to go up when production kicks off in 2019.

The Halol unit was previously owned by General Motors India. After GM decided that it would cease sales and exit the Indian market back in May 2017, it was approached by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) which owns the MG brand, to purchase the Halol plant. The two parties recently completed the handover process as well as transfer formalities. Since then, MG Motor has received the required approvals to re-start operations from the Gujarat government. 

MG Motor will be refurbishing the complete facility and installing new manufacturing equipment. The revamp is expected to be completed by 2019, in time for the first MG product to roll off the production line.

Shanghai Automotive Industries Corporation (SAIC) had recently confirmed its plans to enter the Indian automotive market through its fully-owned subsidiary - MG Motors India. Now, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat state government for its manufacturing project. It will be taking over General Motors' recently shut down plant in Halol. Gujarat government has assured the manufacturer to facilitate registration and required approvals for the said project.

The MoU also reveals that SAIC will be employing around 1,000 workers in its Gujarat plant, when operations begin in 2019. The company is planning to invest a total amount of 2,000 crore in its Indian operations. Additionally, five Chinese automotive suppliers are planning to invest an additional amount of Rs. 1,000 crore to set up their units around the Halol plant.

SAIC is aiming to produce 50,000 - 70,000 units at its Halol facility, starting from the year 2019. Information about the products that will be launched under the MG Motors India brand will be revealed in the near future.