An even smaller MG SUV is set to launch within the next two years, MG Motor Australia CEO Peter Ciao has revealed. Speaking to Drive, Ciao said the model will occupy the “light SUV” segment, marking the first global confirmation of a SUV/crossover model positioned below the MG ZS.
Speaking to the publication, Ciao said, “Because until now, our smallest SUV is ZS. We need one more SUV [below] small. [It’s] not [just a] discussion. We already have the plan. The models, they’re coming.”
According to the report, this new mini MG SUV will be competing with models such as the Toyota Yaris Cross, Mazda CX-3, and Hyundai Kona. It will be more compact than the current ZS SUV, which competes in a segment above and rivals the Toyota Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30, and Honda HR-V.
Ciao said that the new model will be categorised as an “SUV light”, and emphasised that the brand is in need of a smaller SUV than the ZS. Aside from that, though, the CEO was hesitant to reveal any more information, including whether it will come with any form of electrification, although he was quick to reject the notion of a fully electric model in this segment, at least for Australia.
“Because when you reduce price [you] must reduce the battery size, reduce the performance, reduce the body size, you know? But if you reduce too much, I’m not sure it is good for Australia,” Ciao said.
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Drive expects the new model to be priced at around AUD22,990 (approx. RM63k) in Australia, matching the drive-away price of the previous-generation base model MG ZS, which accounted for over 50% of MG Australia’s sales in 2023.
Now, the cheapest MG ZS commands a slightly higher drive-away price of AUD25,990 (approx. RM71k). The report added that having a lower price would help MG compete with other small-sized SUVs in Australia, such as the Chery Tiggo 4 (known as the Chery Tiggo Cross in Malaysia) and the Mahindra XUV 3XO.
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