On Tuesday, January 21st, MG proudly celebrated its official debut in South Africa at the prestigious Langhams Lifestyle Estate in Johannesburg. This momentous occasion saw the iconic MG octagon take centre stage, attracting over 100 media, business partners, and special guests, including His Excellency Wu Peng, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of South Africa, who conveyed his appreciation for the brand’s arrival and emphasized the growing bond between the two nations. This landmark event underscored MG’s commitment to innovation, design excellence, and customer satisfaction in the South African market.
Sky Zhang, the General Manager of MG South Africa, expressed his excitement about the brand’s entry into the local market: “I am thrilled about this new era for MG in South Africa.” Reflecting this enthusiasm, Zhang introduced MG’s new tagline, “Exceed Expectation.” The main message is clear: be prepared to be amazed by the latest offerings from this esteemed brand.
Recounting the history of MG, Zhang traced the marque’s lineage back to British motoring pioneer, William Morris, who established Morris Garages in 1920. It was his General Manager, Cecil Kimber, however, who was working behind the scenes to produce faster cars with a sportier look. To do this, Kimber re-bodied and tuned up contemporary Morris car models. The first MG to break cover – was the 14/28 Super Sports. With a top speed of 65mph (104,6km/h), it was class-leading for its time.
Fast forward over 100 years, and MG is stronger than ever under the stewardship of SAIC Motor (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), China’s largest automotive company based in Shanghai. Since becoming the custodian of the iconic MG octagon in 2007, SAIC has propelled the brand to new heights. As the number one automotive OEM in China and ranked 84th on the Fortune Global 500, SAIC is among the top 10 automotive companies worldwide, boasting 332 affiliated companies, 207,000 global employees, and 5.02 million vehicle sales in 2023. Notably, MG contributed 840,000 sales globally, with 88% of those outside China, underscoring its growing international appeal.
In closing, Zhang emphasised MG’s strong commitment to the South African market as evidenced by its proactive parts supply chain which is already in place. The company’s National Parts Distribution Centre in Isando, Kempton Park ensures a steady, high-quality parts inventory through SAIC’s global network.
Further reinforcing confidence in the brand, MG will provide a leading warranty of 7 years and 200,000km (5 years/150,000km plus an additional introductory 2 years/50,000km) and a comprehensive service plan, aiming to set a new standard for after-sales support and reliability. Additionally, MG is committed to expanding its presence, aiming to grow its dealer network from 30 to 60 by the end of 2025, ensuring greater accessibility and convenience for customers nationwide.
Among the distinguished speakers were Ian Nicholls and Carl Gotham. Nicholls is the Network and Strategy Director for MG SA and has over 30 years of experience in the motor industry. He was joined on stage by renowned designer Carl Gotham, the Advanced Design Director at SAIC Design Advanced London. Gotham plays a key role in shaping the design direction of the current lineup of MG cars.
A standout quote from Gotham’s presentation was, “MG was born from passion and a dream – at the heart of the brand is a drive to achieve as much with as little as possible”.
Nicholls echoed the sentiment that every modern MG offers excellent value for money. This was demonstrated when he unveiled the pricing for the initial three-model SA lineup. The models showcased on the Langhams’ Catwalk included the award-winning wallet-friendly ZS compact crossover, its larger sibling, the stylish and practical HS, and the impressive Cyberster, the world’s first all-electric two-seater convertible.
MG also teased the audience with a variety of mystery models that the company indicated would be released in the very near future. While these models are still under wraps, it is evident that the focus will be on the growing B segment, featuring internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid variants, as well as an affordable battery electric vehicle (BEV) powertrain in the pipeline.
As expected, Gotham’s focus was on aesthetics and interior niceties while Nicholls extolled the more practical virtues of each model.
Here are just a few of the product takeaways:
| ZS – Authentic | HS – Assertive | Cyberster – Pioneering |
| Reliable – Over 1m sold worldwide | 2nd generation model with latest MG Design signature featuring ‘vigorous’ proportions | The world’s first all-electric two-seater droptop. ‘Wind Hunter’ face design – front apertures guide air flow and assist with cooling |
| Safe – 6 airbags, Bosch 9th Gen ESP with 8 integrated functions | Tech-laden – dual 12.3-inch floating screens | Immersive triple screens and Electric scissor doors with safety sensors |
| Spacious 395l to 1166l of boot space with seats folded | 5-star EuroNCAP | Electric soft top (opens and closes in 9 sec and operates at speeds up to 50km/h) |
| Headlights inspired by the London Eye. ‘Leaping Leopard Shoulder line | Taillights mimic the lines of the famous Shard building in London | Cyber Arrow taillights inspired by the Union Jack |
| 2 Grades – Comfort and Luxury | 2 Grades – Comfort and Luxury | One range-topping halo model |
| 84kW / 150Nm1.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 4-speed Auto | 1.5-litre Turbo Petrol / 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT / new wet-clutch design for smoother shifts) / 125kW/275Nm 2.0-litre Turbo Petrol / 9-speed Auto Transmission (new high-efficiency oil pump) / 170kW/370Nm | Dual electric motors / AWD375kW Total output / 725Nm (0-100km/h in 3,2 seconds |
| Pricing from R289,900 | Pricing from R499 900,00 | R1399,900 |
