SAIC Motor Philippines, Inc. (SMP) has assumed the role of importer and distributor of Morris Garages (MG) products and services in the Philippines, along with local MG aftersales operations, as was announced during a recent event held by SMP for bank partners and MG dealer principals.
“Today, we mark the beginning of a new era in the Philippine automotive industry, one that will lead to a new wave of exceptional vehicles,” says Felix Jiang, President of SAIC Motor Philippines, Inc. “SAIC Motor Philippines is poised to make a resounding impact in the automotive landscape, setting new benchmarks and redefining what it means to drive with excellence.”
The event also provided an initial preview of three new fully-electric MG vehicles that will be made available in the Philippines through SMP. These are: the MG 4, MG ZS EV, and MG Marvel R.
SMP announced that these models will be officially launched by Q4 2023. The forthcoming arrival of these new MG EVs is a testament to SAIC’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge design.
Apart from importation, distribution, and aftersales operations, SMP’s functions also include the management of MG’s dealership network in the Philippines. This is currently composed of 42 authorized dealer locations nationwide and, in his speech, Jiang noted the addition of four more dealerships before the close of 2023, and a goal to have 60 MG dealerships running by 2025.
Good move as they wont be able anyway to compete on ICE cars with the kpop n japz.
ReplyDeleteWell in my opinion, you better watch the moves of MG moving forward. This is the first-ever time that a Chinese automaker has set-up a full factory operation here like what Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, and Honda have (I dunno if Omoda+Jaecoo is controlled by Chery Auto completely though). All the others run local distributorship arrangements (Chery and UAAGI, Geely and Sojitz, Jetour and the Gateway+AutoSpeedyGo alliance) which may be good at first, but eventually fall to factory operations in after-sales and packaging of cars. If SAIC PH can play their cards right, they will be able to show the full power of a factory operation and be a paradigm shift for Chinese brand operations here. Imagine how strong Geely would be if they were controlled by a mothership operation run by Geely Auto Group themselves? I may not be interested in buying SAIC products, but with a factory operation now, MG may be a force to be reckoned with and certainly one to watch for everyone in the industry.
DeleteSome MG dealers also serve as Chevy service centers though like the one in EDSA... What's gonna happen to that arrangement once SAIC fully controls all 42 MG dealers?
ReplyDeleteThat arrangement will not be allowed under the new structure. MG will be exclusively MG, Chevy will become exclusively Chevy.
DeleteChina car companies dont have anymore appetite for R and D on ICE cars, dear going full blast on EV's where they have now an early advantage. But i think for now ph infra and ph car buyers in general not yet ready to embrace full EV's, for now it seems hybrids doing well here.
ReplyDeleteIm excited that the Philippines will be having the better cars from MG soon and SAIC..They have lots of it in China..
ReplyDeleteWish MG will advise the press at what State of Health of the battery will they replace before the warranty ends, cause these batteries are expensive. Some say they will replace a module and not the whole system which for me a problem. Nobody replaces 1 battery if its a 2 battery TV remote as it will not perform at optimal level.
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