China’s MG Motors to launch its First Electric SUV in India by 2020

MG Motors India, a subsidiary of Chinese SAIC Motor Corp is ready to begin its India operations in 2019 and will enter the market with its first electric SUV as early as the second quarter of 2020, the company has announced.

The company plans to invest over Rs 5,000 crore in the Indian market and having already acquired the General Motors’ plant in Halol, Gujarat. In a big win for PM Modi’s ”Make in India” initiative to promote localization of business, the new electric SUV will be manufactured in India making the car more affordable.

MG Motor India had recently showcased the eRX5 electric SUV to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the MOVE Global Summit 2018 held in September 2018. SAIC’s eRX5 has an electric range of 425 KM on a single charge and can be charged up to 80% in less than 60 minutes as it also supports fast charging system. MG Motor India further says that the new India bound electric SUV is likely to be based on the company’s Marvel X platform.

Michael Yang, Executive Director of International Business, SAIC Motor & President of SAIC Motor International Company said, “MG will launch a globally-competitive pure-electric SUV in India, to make our contribution to India’s energy and environmental strategies. The pure electric SUV will be a breakthrough chapter in the EV space in India, being one of its kind in the market. This is in addition to the first SUV which we plan to launch in the second quarter of next year.”

It will localise the key components of its products in India and will be handled by SAIC Group’s existing suppliers or new Chinese suppliers setting up hubs in India. The important component manufacturers will be based within a supplier park located inside the Halol Plant. The company also says that some of the non-electric components required to build the electric SUV will be localised by the company.

Rajeev Chaba, President & Managing Director, MG Motor India said, “All our products will be designed and engineered in UK and China with the support of Indian engineers. These vehicles will be heavily localized, built at our plant in Halol by our engineers conforming to global quality standards and validated and customized for India to suit the Indian road and driving conditions.

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