MG is now officially the fastest growing car manufacture in the UK and all signs indicate that the once troubled automaker is going from strength-to-strength in its home market.
While the maker of classic British sport cars - MG Cars - ceased production in 2005 after a 90-year history and 10 previous owners - the nameplate still exists, now operated by London-based MG Motor which formed in 2006.
MG Motor is owned by Shanghai-based, state-owned SAIC Motor, but under Chinese ownership the company has began to thrive, recording sales no MG-baded vehicles have achieved in decades.
The new growth was driven in large part by the launch of a new MG3 hatch that was designed and developed by the company's 500-strong workforce in the UK and produced in China.
MG3 hatch. Photo / MG Motor
UK sales results for August show that MG has achieved 5,685 new car registrations so far in 2018. While that might not sound great in a market of over 65 million people, the eight-month result is already over 1,000 units more than it achieved in the whole of 2017, an increase of 129 per cent compared with the same period in 2017.
In August alone, MG managed to grow its monthly volume by 223 per cent, achieving 586 registrations compared with 181 in the previous year. The sales performance helped MG to achieve its highest monthly market share since it returned to the market as MG Motor in 2008, securing 0.62% of total new car sales.
To put this growth in context, when MG Motor launched a decade ago the brand recorded only 133 new car registrations throughout the whole year.
“We’re delighted with what the design team has been able to create with New MG3. The stylish and sporty good looks certainly won’t fail to turn heads," said MG Motor executive Daniel Gregorious.
"We’re getting closer and closer to achieving our stated objective of doubling our sales volume this year and everyone within our business is committed to achieving this goal”.
But it's not just sales where MG are doing well. Earlier this year, the MG GS SUV become the first Chinese-built vehicle to achieve a 5 star ANCAP safety rating.
MG is also reportedly working on a return to its sporty roots with an all-wheel drive, full-electric sports car to rival the MX-5.
In New Zealand, MG have two licenced vehicle dealerships in Christchurch and Wellington that sell two three models - the MG6 plus sedan, MG3 hatch and MG GS SUV. Nationally there are also seven parts & service locations.
“The MG brand is going through a really exciting period at the moment. There are ambitious growth plans in place to ensure we continue to smash our targets and achieve sustainable growth over the coming years,” said Gregorious.