SAIC Motor-CP Considering To Export MG Vehicles

SAIC Motor-CP Co, a joint-venture between SAIC Motor and the Charoen Pokphand Group in Thailand is considering exporting MG cars in 2019.

The company has two production plants in Thailand. Its first plant is located in Rayong, capable of producing 50,000 cars a year. Their second plant, located in Chon Buri is currently under construction. SAIC Motor-CP Co aims to increase its annual production to 300,000 units a year.

Pongsak Lertrudeewattanavong, VP of distribution for MG Sales Thailand said that Thailand is set to be the production hub for right-hand drive MG vehicles, which are exported to Asean and Oceana regions. They plan to produce 300,000 vehicles annually, with the majority of it exported.

In 2016, SAIC Motor-CP Co shifted 8,319 cars, a strong 120% increase from the year before. This was driven by four of its models, the MG3, MG5, MG6 and MG GS. Two new models are set to be introduced soon. Elsewhere, they are also planning to increase the number of of showrooms and service centres from 60 to 90. 

"2017 is a bullish year for the car market. We expect domestic buyers will buy 800,000 to 850,000 units this year because economic sentiment is better, thanks to the government's big infrastructure projects and because more than 1 million cars under the first-time car buyer scheme are being unlocked after five years of ownership, stimulating buyers to replace them with new cars," he told BangkokPost.

Last year, we reported that MG is in talks with several unnamed parties to bring the MG brand back here. We will update this space in due time.