MG posts significant sales increase

SAIC Motor-CP Co and MG Sales (Thailand) Co, the manufacturer and distributor of MG vehicles in Thailand, has reported a continuous and sustainable increase in sales for the first half of 2017.
This was announced recently at a nationwide MG dealership meeting led by Shi Guoyong, president of SAIC Motor-CP Co Ltd and Zhang Haibo, president of MG Sales (Thailand) Co Ltd.
It was also announced that a new model would join the MG line-up, and that the MG dealership network would expand to over 80 by year’s end.
Such an extensive dealership network primed MG to join the leading ranks of automotive players in Thailand, the company said.
Total sales of MG vehicles for the first half of 2017 was 5,691 units – a significant 51 per cent growth over the same period last year.
“The positive momentum is powered by the introduction of the brand-new MG GS SUV, especially the 1.5-liter Turbo variant, together with other new model variants and an optimised customer service upgrade,” a company spokesperson said.
“MG3, MG’s best-selling model in Thailand continues to enjoy gaining popularity with 24 per cent growth in this same period.”
Pongsak Lertrudeewattanawong, vice president of MG Sales (Thailand), told the annual dealership meeting: “All of our MG models have experienced highly positive growth despite the highly competitive market environment.
“This is apparent proof that Thai customers are confident in our products and services despite a slow overall automotive market situation. MG is committed to further this performance with the launch of a brand new model by the end of this year to help boost sales opportunities and brand confidence.”
Pongsak added that the sales forecast for the MG brand this year would be higher than the Thai automotive industry average, and that the overall national vehicle sales should improve slightly to 800,000 units in 2017.
Currently, MG has a target to hold a share of 5 per cent of the market, putting in the top 10 of Thailand’s passenger vehicle market.
It was also announced that the new assembly plant at the Hemaraj Industrial Estate Eastern Seaboard 2 in Chon Buri province was in a testing stage would go live this year. The new MG assembly plant will have a maximum assembly capacity of over 100,000 units per year and act as the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub for right-wheel drive MG vehicles for export.
“The is the key moment for MG which is not only experiencing good sale performance and winning trust from customers, but also the time for us to lay a solid and sustainable business foundation for the future. Through hard work and team work among MG, dealers and all stakeholders, we firmly believe we can continue to succeed and step up as one of Thailand’s leading automotive brands in the future,” said Mr. Pongsak.