MG5 officially coming – but not the one you expect

MG Motor has confirm the MG5 will be coming to New Zealand late next year, but not the one you are expecting.

While EV enthusiasts in New Zealand know the MG 5 as a conservative-but-practical all-electric station wagon, the MG5 coming here will be a petrol-powered sedan.

It will be built in Thailand, and while we expect there to be a plug-in version eventually, it will likely be some way off.

The news came as part of a business briefing for journalists held today by MG Motor Australia and New Zealand management.

EVs were discussed – confirmation coming the facelift ZS EV will be here by mid 2022, and the Marvel R will be an option for the market when the next generation model is launched – that could be some time away.

NZ will have to wait for is MG’s new charging infrastructure, announced today for Australia. It intends to roll out up to 3000 AC chargers at accomodation across rural and regional centres. New Zealand will get the same offering eventually, but Australia is getting the units first.

“We have considered that very closely and there is a plan,” head of EV Danny Lenartic says. “Thankfully the NZ government has been very forward thinking in their planning, and the country is 85% renewable. (Charging infrastructure) is a lot weaker in this (Australia) than it is in New Zealand.”

Plug-in Hybrid models will be renamed from PHEV to +EV to avoid confusion with traditional hybrids.

For buyers, warranties have been updated – extending to seven years, unlimited kilometres, with seven years roadside assistance. The coverage also coves the battery.

The new warranty comes into play on December 1, along with drive away pricing across the range.

“We want to challenge the notion that a second-hand vehicle is the only option for buyers looking for an affordable car,” says MG Motor Aus and NZ Peter Ciao. “Drive-away pricing adds a new level of transparency and makes the buying process very straightforward.”

“It is a more honest way of doing business.”

Pricing has yet to be confirmed.

The brand intends to launch a technicians academy to grow its local technician base, and will use what it calls a first by integrating virtual and augmented reality into its service and training systems.

An app for service bookings and information will be launched next year as well.

A deal to sponsor the Northern Mystics netball team has also been struck.