MG plans onslaught of EVs, PHEVs over the next two years

MG will launch 13 ‘new energy vehicles’ globally by mid-2027 to counter slowing sales of older petrol models in export markets including Australia – spearheaded by the new second-generation MG 4 electric hatch.

Chinese news publication 21st Century News reported word from MG general manager Chen Cui, saying the company will go ‘all in’ on NEVs – the term used in China to describe EVs (electric vehicles), hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

Mr Cui said MG would invest ¥10 million ($A2.16 billion) in launching 13 new models across EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and potentially extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) “in the next two years”. 

Without naming any specific models – or further details – the MG boss said the automaker wants to become a global leader in the development of NEVs.

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Before production of the new MG 4 – confirmed for a 2026 arrival in Australian showrooms – started in China in July, the brand offered only the S5 SUV (badged ES5 in China) and the Cyberster electric sports car in the NEV category in China.

In Australia, it sells the same trio of EVs but also offers the IM5 sedan and IM6 SUV upmarket EVs from IM Motors, a premium brand also under the SAIC Motor umbrella.

Its local showrooms are still stocked with a raft of non-hybrid models, including the petrol-only MG QS seven-seat SUV and MG 5 sedan, as well as petrol versions of the popular ZS and HS SUVs and MG 3 hatch.

The MG 7 mid-size liftback is scheduled for Australian showrooms this October as a Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata rival, but it will be petrol-only at launch.

The MG U9 ute is also due here later this year, which will be the brand’s first diesel-powered vehicle Down Under.

There’s more to come from the IM Motors brand, too, with its initial two launch models potentially joined by the LS9 SUV – a seven-seat EREV SUV similar in size to a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. 

Sales of the petrol-powered MG 5 have been strong in China in 2025, with Mr Cui describing these cars as “buy now” models – but the company is looking to future-proof itself with more NEVs.

“MG’s entry into the new energy market does not rely on low-priced internal roles but relies on the accumulation of [MG parent company] SAIC Group’s underlying technology in batteries, intelligent cockpits, intelligent chassis and other fields,” Mr Cui told 21st Century News, in translated remarks.

SAIC has partnerships in China with Audi – which relaunched a range of China-only EVs last year – and tech company Huawei.

MG slipped out of Australia’s top ten best-selling brands in July.

GWM was the highest-placed Chinese brand in seventh, ahead of BYD in eighth and Chery in 11th.

MG was twelfth for the month, with sales down 14 per cent year-to-date. Its best-selling model was the ZS SUV, available in hybrid and petrol versions.

MORE: MG to expand its small EV lineup in Australia with a second MG 4