MG Motor's Achievements in the Middle East
MG Motor's History in the Gulf Region
In 2020, MG Motor made its debut on the list of the top ten car manufacturers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This milestone came during a year when the British brand saw a remarkable 72% increase in sales across the region, totaling 27,595 vehicles. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the market challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Success of the Models
The success of MG was driven by its diverse range of sedans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), especially its two best-selling models:
- MG5 (Compact Sedan)
- MG ZS (Compact SUV)
New Market Expansions
Last year, MG initiated operations in several regional markets, including Jordan and Iraq, but Saudi Arabia emerged as the most enthusiastic market for the company’s models. MG has now become the eighth best-selling car brand in the Kingdom, solidifying its position as the largest market for MG in the Middle East just three years after the brand's local relaunch. MG currently holds a 4.2% market share in Saudi Arabia, with total sales increasing by 89% in 2020.
Model Popularity
MG's popularity is rooted in the quality and variety of its model lineup, which has been completely refreshed over the past few years. The compact sedans, particularly the MG5, accounted for nearly a third of the brand's total sales in 2020. Meanwhile, the modern MG6 sedan continued to enjoy widespread popularity, with annual sales rising by 15%.
Additionally, MG's mid-size SUVs, including:
- MG ZS
- MG HS
- MG RX5
represented 39% of the total figure. The seven-seat MG RX8 SUV also contributed 12% of sales during its first full year on the market.
Management Comments
Commenting on this achievement, Tom Lee, CEO of MG Motor's operations in the Middle East, stated: "Even before the current pandemic, we set ourselves an ambitious goal of entering the top 10 car manufacturers list by the end of 2020, so we are truly pleased to have achieved this goal despite the immense challenges we all faced. This clearly reflects the increasing awareness, understanding, and popularity that the brand is gaining among car buyers in the Middle East."
He added: "We are committed to continuing to provide a fantastic range of high-quality vehicles for our customers and are focused on ensuring they receive the best service from our exceptional local partners. Currently, we have 33 exclusive retail showrooms and 33 service centers across the Middle East, and we look forward to further expansion in 2021. This has been further bolstered by the launch of our new e-commerce service aimed at providing customers with the best possible virtual shopping experience."
Global Success
The brand has not only achieved success in the Middle East and the Levant but has also seen parallel growth worldwide. In 2020, MG increased its market share in its home country, the United Kingdom, as well as in the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, France, Australia, and South America, while also boosting its production levels in Northeast Asia.
The Future and Developments
In line with market changes and industrial transformation, and committed to its promise of providing innovative and practical features in all its vehicles, MG will launch plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) of the MG HS and MG 6 models, along with introducing smart connectivity and 5G technology in the MG HS PHEV.
Furthermore, MG will continue to enhance its services based on customer needs, ensuring complete peace of mind during challenging times, backed by a warranty on all its models for 6 years or 200,000 kilometers, along with exceptional offers for new and existing customers.
