- Debut of iconic British brand in Thailand ahead of full market launch in June
- MG’s first presence at 35th Bangkok International Motor Show
- Parent company SAIC’s assembly plant based in Rayong province nears completion
- MG manufacturing facility for local and ASEAN markets
Longbridge, UK, 25 March 2014 – MG continues 90th year celebrations as the marque expands its global network into Thailand, making a debut appearance at the 35th Bangkok International Motorshow.
The MG marque celebrates a move into Thailand as the iconic British automotive manufacturer displays UK designed and engineered MG6 models at this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show. The show represents a target audience for the Longbridge based manufacturer as parent company SAIC’s Rayong province based assembly plant nears completion.
Since 2008, MG Motor UK has been owned by Chinese automotive giant, SAIC Motor; a Fortune 500 company, which, in 2013 became the first Chinese automotive manufacturer to achieve record sales of over 5.1 million units a year. 230,000 units of this extraordinary figure have been attributed sales of the MG and Roewe marques worldwide.
Global MG sales are set to increase further in 2014, as SAIC’s latest assembly plant, situated in Rayong’s Hemaraj Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate, is expected to be fully operational by June this year. The new production facility is the result of joint venture between SAIC and the Charoen Pokphand Group, one of Thailand’s largest companies; SAIC Motor- CP Co. Ltd. The plant will become a manufacturing base of iconic British car brand, MG, serving both local and ASEAN markets.
President of SAIC Motor-CP Co. Ltd, Mr. Wu Huan said: “The public debut of the MG6 in Thailand is the opportunity for the Thai market to see the new MG6 before it arrives on Thai roads. All nine cars on display were built locally at the production facility in Rayong province. The presence of MG in this year’s Bangkok International Motor show is a key part of MG’s 90 year anniversary celebrations in 2014.”
In the UK, sales of MG6 GT and Magnette variants are set to improve in 2014 thanks to the decrease in CO2emissions for Diesel variants (from 139g/Km to 129g/Km) making the model a viable fleet option for the first time. Current Q1 offers allow customers to benefit even further with free upgrades on all Petrol and Diesel MG6 specifications, a saving of up to £3,000, until 31 March 2014. Lease offers are also available on all variants from only £199 a month.
The 35th Bangkok International Motor show runs from 26 March to 6 April 2014. The MG stand is situated in booth A15, Impact Challenger Hall 2, Muangthong Thani.
Notes
Founded in 2013, SAIC Motor- CP Co. Ltd is a joint venture company formed between (SAIC), the largest automotive company in China, and the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), one of Thailand’s largest companies. SAIC Motor- CP Co Ltd’s Thailand based assembly plant, based in Rayong province, due to be completed in June this year, will become a manufacturing base of iconic British brand MG, serving both local and ASEAN markets.
MG Sales (Thailand) Co. Ltd is based in Bangkok and will be responsible for Sales, Marketing, After-Sales service and the Dealer network in Thailand.
About MG Motor
Since the first MG went on sale 90 years ago in 1924, the iconic British brand has become world famous for making stylish cars that are fun to drive and own, at remarkably affordable prices. The latest offering, the MG3 is no exception; the new, small modern MG brings style and fun to a new generation- giving a fresh twist on the innovation, sporty performance and statement style that first made the MG badge famous.
Modern MGs are designed, engineered and undergo final assembly at MG’s historic home in Longbridge, Birmingham.
Today, MG is owned by the SAIC Motor Corporation. SAIC Motor is currently rated 103rd in the Fortune 500 and, in 2013, achieved record global sales of over 5.1 million units, an increase of 13.71% on 2012 sales. SAIC Motor is the first Chinese automotive manufacturer to exceed five million units in a year, and 230,000 units of this extraordinary figure can be attributed to sales of the MG and Roewe marques worldwide.
About SAIC Motor Corporation
Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) Motor Corporation is a Chinese state-owned automotive manufacturing company with headquarters located in Shanghai, China. SAIC is the number one automotive company in China and is currently ranked 103rd in the Fortune 500. In 2012, SAIC produced the largest volume of any Chinese automotive manufacturer to date, totalling more than 4.5 million units. In 2013, SAIC achieved record global sales of over 5.1 million units, an increase of 13.71% on 2012 sale, and became the first Chinese automotive manufacturer to exceed five million units in a year. 230,000 units of this extraordinary end of year figure can be attributed to sales of the MG and Roewe marques worldwide.
Established in the 1940s, SAIC traces its origins to the early years of the Chinese automobile industry. SAIC has been joint ventured with General Motors since 1998, and Volkswagen since 1985. The joint venture with VW is the oldest surviving manufacture joint venture in the global automotive industry. SAIC products sell under a variety of brand names, including those of its joint venture partners. Two notable brands owned by SAIC are MG, the historic British car marque, and Roewe, one of the few domestic Chinese luxury car brands. Overall investment by SAIC into the UK via the UK Technical Centre exceeds £250 million since formation, and SAIC Group has continued to invest heavily into operations in the UK, with notable projects that include the addition of a new European Design studio – now the fifth largest in the UK – and Engine Testing facilities. The development of future new Group products continues apace in the UK and points to an exciting and successful future for the company.