MG ZS EV arrival delayed by COVID-19

Deliveries of MG’s first electric model – the ZS EV SUV – have been delayed due to the need to locally-test the driver assistance systems.

MG Motor, part of the giant Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, had planned on launching the model here in the second quarter. New Zealand buyers, nearly 100 of whom have placed orders, would be receiving United Kingdom specification cars.

That plan has now changed according to NZ business manager Anthony MacLean.

“Originally we planned to take the UK version and make minor changes to make it more suitable for New Zealand,” MacLean says. “We had planned to get this in Q2 and have the NZ car six months before the Australian version launched; Australia has more engineering steps to go through to create an ADR or Australian Design Rules vehicle.”

“All engineering changes take time, however the biggest challenge was the ADAS system – MG Pilot – which was introduced into HS at the start of the year,” he adds. ‘We needed to get final calibration completed locally for MG Pilot.

“The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international flights and arrivals and then we had lock down. So we haven’t been able to undertake final calibration of the system. Its been tested for HS already, because its standard on all HS models.”

MG Pilot includes Active Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist detection, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent High Bean Assist, Lane Keeping Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Speed Limit Recognition, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

“As a result of these delays we decided to expediate the development of the ADR version so that we have the same vehicle as Australia,” MacLean notes. “There are benefits to this of course – training, parts availability, stock flexibility, however the downside is that it delays the vehicle.”

MacLean says no orders have been cancelled because of the move.

“The feedback we have been given is that no-one has cancelled. Some customers are disappointed for sure, some customers are quite happy that the car has ben delayed, as we will be in more certain times later in the year.”