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Ambitious Chinese brand says “just a case of when” for an MG ute and suggests it won’t just be a rebadged LDV T60.
MG Australia aims to become the third best-selling car brand in Australia by 2030, but admits it needs a ute in the local model mix to achieve that ambition
The British-turned-Chinese brand has recorded remarkable growth locally over the past few years and is now firmly established as a top 10 player.
For reference, utility vehicles, or utes, are the second most popular vehicle segment after midsize SUVs here in Australia.
Rapid growth has been driven primarily by the ZS compact SUV and MG3 city car, of which new-generation versions have been released this year.
MG Australia reiterated its hopes to launch a ute in the future, suggesting its preference is for an all-new vehicle rather than a rebadged commercial ute from SAIC sister brand LDV.
“We will never get the chance on top three [sales position without a ute],” said MG Australia CEO Peter Ciao at last week’s launch of the new-generation ZS compact SUV.
“We said we aim for the top-five by 2027, and top-three by 2030… we can’t do that without a ute. That’s a hundred per cent where we’re coming from. It’s just a case of when [we can get a ute].”
The company has ruled out importing the MG Extender DC (Dual Cab), a right-hand-drive ute sold in Thailand that is a rebadged LDV T60.
The LDV T60 ute range is offered in Australia via an independent importer.
The Extender is not a ‘range extender’ electric ute as the name might suggest, instead powered by a conventional four-cylinder turbo diesel engine.
MG is expanding its petrol-electric offerings among its model line-up and Ciao said that would extend to its ute if there was customer demand in Australia.
“If hybrid [technology] is needed [for the ute], we will do that.”
MG will follow 2024’s big launches of it two most popular models – MG3 and ZS – with a busy 2025.
In addition to petrol-only versions of the ZS in the first quarter, new models include the ES5 (replacement for the ZS EV), MG7 sedan, and a three-row (5+2 layout) SUV.
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