MG says they have no plans to stop production Grade 3Australia’s second cheapest car, even as competitors continue to leave the segment and the brand raises prices.
There have been rumors floating around the web about a new version of Grade 3but rest assured, according to MG executives in Australia, that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
“We all know that we live in increasingly difficult times in terms of affordability, so in our view when I talk about value, we don’t ignore value and still need uses such products to give people the chance to get Rick Whaite, MG’s chief marketing officer, a brand new car with a 7-year warranty and plenty of features.
There’s clearly strong demand for the MG 3 and MG Motor Australia says it’s keen to continue with the model, no matter what it looks like in the future.
If you look at the MG’s focus in electric vehicles, you’d have to think that if it continues to be offered, there’s a high chance it will involve electrification, in the form of a hybrid or all-electric vehicle.
A recent report suggests a successor with an available hybrid powertrain could launch in 2024.
“Things are under consideration but we can basically get other models from our parent company, then maybe get that nameplate (MG 3),” said an MG spokesman. spoke at the fully charged home energy and electric vehicle show in Sydney.
It’s unclear what product it might borrow from another SAIC Motor brand. LDV/Maxus and Roewe do not supply cars of this size, although SAIC Motor produces light cars under the Baojun joint venture with General Motors.
It may not have a current ANCAP safety rating but that hasn’t stopped the MG 3 from being the best-selling light car in Australia and to some extent.
You can drive the MG 3 for just $19,490 for the MG 3 Core Auto, with the only option being $500 for the metallic paint. If you want the works then the top-end MG 3 Excite will cost you all $20,990 to drive.
It’s no surprise that the MG 3 currently holds an unattainable 45% market share in its segment between the start of the year and 2023 – three times more than its closest rival, the Mazda2. In February 2023, it sold 1622 of them to Mazda’s 504 Mazda 2s, giving it a staggering 47.8% market share.
It has also been helped by a steady retreat of rivals since its introduction in 2016 in Australia.
Since then, the Ford FiestaHolden Barina, Honda City And Jazzand Hyundai Accent are both discontinued, as is the smaller Holden Spark, MirageMitsubishi and Nissan Micra.
Most recently, Suzuki unplugged the Baleno in Australia, while Kia confirmed this year its current generation Rio will be its last on the local market.
MG has raised the price on the MG 3 range an additional $500 for 2023, citing increased production and supply chain costs.
Other MG models have increased their prices up to $4140, while the company also said Its new MG 4 will not necessarily become Australia’s cheapest electric vehicle.
“Cheapest isn’t necessarily our preference, it’s about value. As MG always does, we will do our best to ensure that it is an extremely attractive proposition for the market,” said Mr Whaite.
THAN: Everything MG 3
