The British company MG reached a significant achievement. Under the management of SAIC Motor Group, it reached 1 million units sold outside China, a process in which Chile played a historic role.
Although the origin of MG dates back to 1924, when the famous British sports car brand was created, characterized by its good performance and a great price-quality ratio, over the decades, it had to face serious problems that brought it to the brink of disappearance.
The awakening of the British firm would come at the beginning of this century when the SAIC Motor Group acquired it.
With Chinese capital and a new growth plan, in 2007, MG sent its first units outside its borders. A fleet of 60 units crossed the Pacific Ocean and landed in Chile, thus beginning a history celebrating 1 million exported vehicles today.
Regarding this crucial moment in the history of the brand, Hernán Delfino, deputy sales director of SAIC Motor, manufacturer and owner of MG Motor, commented that “when the decision was made to open this new market, there were several factors that positioned Chile as the best alternative to bring our products to the region, although like everything in life, it also meant risk and a gamble.
Today we are happy with the decision taken from headquarters since MG Motor has been present in the country for more than 15 years, and during this period, we have experienced a series of milestones that have allowed us to position ourselves in the Top 10 of sales in the country; an important achievement for the brand since it only has a presence in the passenger and SUV segments”.
About the first models that arrived on that ship 15 years ago, Delfino indicates that “at the beginning as a brand we bet on more niche models, and with classic heritage, that is how the first models to land on national soil were: MG 550, MG 750 and MG TF.
However, it was not until 2012, with the arrival of the MG3, that we saw a real takeoff. This model helped us reach new users, becoming one of the domestic market’s favorites”.
Finally, on the positioning of the MG brand in Chile, Delfino commented that “in recent years we have enjoyed being month after month within the best-selling brands, without going any further than 2020 our MG ZS SUV was the best-selling model in its category, so we care about having stock over the competition and, of course, bring new proposals as was the MG ZS EV, the first 100% electric SUV in Chile, among traditional brands and of the same origin. In 2021, we positioned ourselves in the eighth place of the best-selling brands, with more than 20,000 units.”
The excellent work is evidenced by the figures shown in these 15 years since, according to Delfino, “throughout our presence in Chile, and until June 2022, we have sold 69,005 units. This figure motivates us to continue betting on the Chilean market, delivering all the quality and safety of our products and bringing new models that adapt and please the national public”.
After the arrival of the first MG to Chile in 2007, relevant events followed in the Chinese stage of the brand, including the return to the United Kingdom (2012), arrival in the Middle East (2015), arrival in Australia (2016), landing in Europe (2019), and landing in Mexico (2020).
MG is present in 84 countries, and its range of cars has conquered several markets, integrating the top ten sales in 17 countries, including Chile. In addition, it has managed to capture the attention of more than 6 million worldwide followers on its social networks.
What is coming in the future of the brand? With the upcoming launch of the MG4 Electric later this year, MG seeks to continue its global growth.
With an attractive design, spacious interior, and high technology, the new all-electric five-door hatchback will target global consumers with zero emissions and smart mobility needs.
It will be a strategic model for international markets, further strengthening MG’s overseas product portfolio matrix as it seeks to reach the next million foreign sales.
With information from La Tercera