Sales in the MPV segment are on the rise. Maruti Ertiga’s success has shown other OEMs that this is a segment which has huge scope in India.
MG Motor, the British-origin automotive brand currently under SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), deserves credit for making a successful debut in our country amidst a sluggish automotive economy. The company currently sells only the Hector 5-seater SUV and the all-electric MG ZS EV, but will expand its portfolio soon with the likes of an updated 6-seater (three-row) avatar of the Hector (probably wearing a different nametag). This is just a start and the company has got a lot planned for the Indian market and will give an insight into it at the upcoming Auto Expo 2020.
Sources tell Rushlane that MG Motor will be unveiling an all-new affordable 7/8-seater product at the biennial automotive event. Even though its launch will happen only in the later phases of the year, the pricing is reportedly in the range of Rs 12-20 lakh ex-showroom.
Apparently, MG Motor India has invested around Rs 1,000 crore in developing the MPV. Given the target pricing, it will be a serious rival to the likes of the Maruti Ertiga and Mahindra Marazzo while also being a cheaper alternative to Toyota Innova Crysta.
The focus towards the MPV market came as a direct result of the increased demand for vehicles having three rows of seating. This includes the entry-level Renault Triber as well as the upcoming luxury-minivan, the Kia Carnival. As per data, demand for MPVs grew by more than 30% (around 2.10 lakh units) and reached 8% of the passenger vehicle market, even though overall automotive sales plummeted by over 15% last year. In the MPV market, sales of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga accounts to almost 50%.
It is too early to comment on the specifications, features or engine choices of the upcoming MG MPV. It would be ideal if the vehicle comes with both petrol and diesel variants, with the choice of an automatic transmission, since the market demands it.
From the MG Hector (prices start at around Rs 12.5 lakh), the Indian automotive market understood that the company can package a lot in a really attractive price bracket. The overall quality and experience may not be as much as the benchmark set by its popular rivals, but one cannot deny the fact that an MG product offers supreme value for money (if the customer sees vehicles as nothing more than a mode of transport).
MG Motor India plans to showcase almost 15 products at Auto Expo 2020, including hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs. It will be a wait before we can confirm whether all the products on display would make its way to our market.
