MG Motor may have an eye out on storming multiple car segments in India
Riding high on the success of its debut product in India - Hector SUV, and the warm reception to its next offering, the ZS EV, MG Motor is planning to surge ahead in the country to have presence in almost every key car segment here. The right product at the right time could be a key strategy for several manufacturers but for the SAIC-owned company, it may well be about power-packed products that find widespread appeal.
There is little doubting that MG managed to create a massive buzz around the Hector before its official launch in 2019. It is a buzz that helped the car rake up high sales numbers despite the overall gloom in the Indian auto sector. Waiting period was - and is - considerable with the company's plant in Gujarat's Halol functioning at full capacity. The overwhelming reception emboldened MG to launch the ZS EV in an electric mobility space that is still in its infancy here in India. Backing the car itself was a focus on supporting infrastructure with the company assuring complimentary AC charging units, DC chargers at its showrooms, mobile charging units and a whole lot more. While the ZS EV is currently only in five Indian cities, it has already made Hyundai Kona sit up and take note.
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1956.0 cc
Multiple
50.3 kWh
419 Km
Storming the extremely viable SUV segment and the nascent electric segment, contrasting as the two are, is a plan that has worked well for MG and now the company appears set to turn attention to other segments as well.
At Auto Expo 2020, MG showcased Hector Plus with six/seven seat configuration. The company said it is more premium than the Hector and has more premium looks - outside and from within. When launched, the car will take on XUV 500 from Mahindra and the soon-to-be-launched Tata Gravitas.
Focusing on an even more premium segment, MG also showcased the Gloster SUV. The Gloster benefits from an imposing body structure which helps it craft a massive road presence. While it gets its name from a British jet-engine aircraft prototype and MG says it pays ode to British engineering, the Gloster seeks to create a fan following courtesy its bold visual aesthetics coupled with a premium cabin space. It may be put up in the premium SUV segment which currently has the likes of Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and Mahindra Alturas G4.
Another car on display was the G10 MPV. Already available in markets like Australia, New Zealand, Middle-East, South American and ASEAN countries, the G10 could be a people-mover that challenges Toyota Innova Crysta and the recently-launched Kia Carnival.
Not wanting to let the players in the sedan segment rest easy, MG has also unveiled the RC-6 which benefits from a regal visual appeal that could cast a shadow over Honda Civic and Skoda Octavia, if and when launched here.
Speaking to HT Auto, Gaurav Gupta, CCO at MG, outlined how the idea has always been to build the company as an authentic and transparent brand in India. "We are committed to the Indian market. Various body styles and technologies are always being reviewed. For the first two years, we will bring in four SUVs to the country. We are looking at bringing one more towards the festival season this year which is going to be a more premium, luxury SUV. Beyond that, we have one more product as well," he said.
And while SUVs may well be the area of strength for MG, the showcasing of G10 MPV, RC-6 and even the Marvel X is a clear sign that the company is determined to storm every bastion in the Indian auto market.
