MG, short for Morris Garages, is a British automaker that once built an amazing and enjoyable range of sports cars. Once an icon, MG failed to adapt to changes in the market and as demand dwindled, MG failed to maintain relevancy in a lot of places, including the United States. MG is still around, of course, but it only sells a handful of budget models, all of which are built in China. None of these, however, compared to the models of years past, and most enthusiasts will agree the brand certainly isn’t what it used to be. That, however, could change in the future, as the brand is gearing up to take the world by storm.
The Future of MG is Coming Quick
Like a lot of British Brands these days, MG is owned by a Chinese conglomerate – in this case, SAIC or Science Applications Internal Corporation. This is the same SAIC that works pretty closely with GM Volkswagen. Thanks to the widespread adaption of electrification SAIC is looking to breathe some new life into MG and it all starts with a sports car to take on cars like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Subaru BRZ, among others. But that’s not where MG is going to stop, as it also wants to produce some more commuter, daily-driver products.
Now, a report from Autocar has exposed what we can expect from MG in the coming years, all the way down to when we’ll see each new model. Remember the Cyberster Concept? Well, the production version of that –as the brand’s affordable halo car – is scheduled to hit the road by 2024. According to the report, the road-ready model will be showcased for the first time at the Beijing Motor Show next month. Of course, this is a bit of a bold move as sports cars, while mildly successful, are typically lower-volume models and largely specialized. But, according to MG UK commercial director, Guy Pigounakis, the company has the money to spend on his passion project thanks to its strong financial position at the moment.
According to him, models like the Cyberster concept “will bring massive PR and marketing benefits.” And, he’s right. A halo car – a special car in the lineup – is what everyone talks about even though 90-percent of a brand's customers go for the products on the lower end of the spectrum. Back to the point, before the sports car hits the road, the MG 4 hatchback will arrive. It’s designed to take on the Volkswagen ID.3 and, apparently, the brand believes it’ll outsell its best-selling model, the MG ZS EV.
After the MG 4 hatchback and the Cyberster are on the road, MG will have a new SUV – something that should help it transition into more of a mainstream brand. As for what we can expect from that model, it’s still a complete mystery, but it seems as if we’ll be finding out in the next few years, so we don’t have too long to wait.