It’s not an eco car, but the MG3 hatchback has been launched in Thailand with prices starting from just 479,000 baht (RM54,002), matching eco cars with tax breaks such as the Toyota Yaris. The Rayong-assembled MG3 is the second MG to be introduced by SAIC Motor-CP Co – a joint venture between Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation and Thailand’s CP Group – after the MG6.
Three trim levels are available, the base C, 509,000 baht (RM57,360) mid D and 559,000 (RM63,023) range topping X. There’s also an SUV-inspired Xross (no, that’s not a typo) variant going for 595,000 baht (RM67,082), undercutting top-spec variants of B-segment classmates Honda Jazz and Ford Fiesta.
The MG3 Xross sports chunkier bumpers, body cladding and roof rails for a crossover look – à la Volkswagen CrossPolo and Hyundai i20 Active. It rolls on 16-inch alloys, an inch bigger than the D and X hatchbacks. The base C gets 14-inch steel wheels.
Making its local debut (China, not England) in late 2010, the MG3 is slightly larger than a Fiesta. It is powered by a “DOHC VTi-Tech” 1.5 litre engine with 106 PS and 135 Nm of torque, mated to a five-speed “SeleMatic” AMT gearbox. Dual airbags and electronic stability control are standard.
Now that it’s launched in Thailand, the next destination for the five-door hatch is Malaysia. SAIC Motor-CP plans to export the MG3 to right-hand-drive countries within ASEAN, starting with Malaysia in 2016, Bangkok Post reports.
Back in April 2013, Volvo dealer Federal Auto and SAIC entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as a first step towards reviving the MG brand in Malaysia, with a view of CKD local assembly. No update on that front, so we’re guessing that both parties didn’t manage to strike a deal.
With the Proton Iriz and Perodua Myvi as benchmark, how do you think the MG3 will fare here?
UK-spec MG3
MG3 at Auto Guangzhou 2010
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I know what people will say. It that IRIZ?
if shared the same parts as Iriz then it will be good, wondering how many mechanics in Malaysia knows how to fic MG cars.
Can’t afford a MG? Get the Iriz then.
There is common the driver is dreaming they are driving other car in their Proton. I also saw Saga modded to be like Impreza, Civic, GTR, Polo.
THe power of day dreaming man.
Everyone can afford an MG today. It is now a China brand if you didnt know
Gen2 kahwin Iriz = anak MG3
AMT gear? The last AMT gear in Savvy had gave a very bad impression
mak jemah ingat Iriz
Anything other than proton shit and garbage is good.
I’ll buy this Continental brand and quality over the proton garbage junk quality and lousy service anyday!!!!!!!
Don’t worry. Nobody will stop you to buy this car.
BTW, after you buy it, please don’t forget to share your experience here especially where to find the SC, sparepart price…
VW is continental brand but here it’s junk compared to p1, what say you?
Conti brand? U re from ancient? Wake up la bang
Anything other than the garbage proton is good.
I’ll buy this Continental beauty and quality over the sick proton shit garbage junk anyday!!!!!
This no more continental Brother. Its Chinese ! you are better of buying Proton than buying this junk !
Don’t you dare strap the Union Jack. It is exclusively meant for MINI. MG is just a disgrace to GB. *Snobby*
i hope they bring it here to malaysia and price it competitively (around the 60k region). I am really sick and tired of seeing perodua myvi’s, viva, iriz, axia,etc. we need more variety on our roads! the more the merrier!
106 PS and 135 Nm of torque
Output so low, so no, thanks.
It will take some time before Malaysians trust Chinese car companies. The first highly successful Chinese car was the Chery Eastar MPV, which was locally assembled in Johor Bahru. Chery sold a few thousand of them, but after a few years, people started complaining about a host of reliability and quality issues. Now, it’s hard to come by a Chery Eastar, and used models are worth peanuts, despite being no more than 8 years old.
The Great Wall M4, so called ‘Perodua and Proton killer’ disappointed too. There’s no other way to put it. I only ever saw one in my whole life, and it’s been some time since it was launched. However, just because it didn’t sell, it doesn’t mean the car is bad. The Nissan Sylphy is also a good car (especially with regards to safety), but it’s not selling. The same is true for the Renault Latitude, Chevrolet Malibu, Proton Suprima S, Mitsubishi Attrage etc.. They are all good buys, but too few people are buying them.
It takes more than big numbers on paper to win hearts, and it takes no time at all to lose them. Chinese car companies are on the right track, but they will have to continue on that track and not stop or deviate halfway. Complacency is the silent killer.
Except that this MG is fully designed & engineered by the MG British team based in the UK, even though ultimately SAIC is the Paymaster. Expect the reliability to better than most of the Chinese car brands. The quality might not match the best marques from Europe, but at least it’s still decent & well -kitted entry level car. And the AMT gearbox adds up a more sporty character to this car.
True true. The new Sylphy or Teana are very hard to spot on the road even though they have been in the market for some time. Seeing more and more HR-V that was just launched recently. Iriz is as rare as a Hummer. I’ve spotted more Panamara than Iriz. Axia is everywhere….just saw 3 full truck loads carrying Axia on the NS highway today
Facelifted New myvis are even harder to find. Some say its easier to find a dodo than to get a glimpse of the myvi
MG brand is China owned…same like Volvo…
I didn’t know that MG was sold to a China company ?
its owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, (SAIC Motor)
I wonder what engine it is using – 4G15 like Smart? Haha
They just stole the front of 2015 renault twingo..
Let them steal…
Renault won’t achieve good sales record with Twingo in M’sia anyway
Like an MG would do better…
Dun want, sked AMT.
And Msians will comlaint 16″ too kiam sup. Must give 22″ then only they like and approve.
Then, when come time to change tayar, they get cancer see the bill. Takpe, janji rim besar.
emmm… Federal Auto?
er…No.
Looking at how FA has basically ruined Volvo here, there is little hope for these Chinese MGs.
How is it fare against local national car makers, MG branding is important and it’s price at national cars price bracket. Rakyat have a choice of a continental brand now. I read MG3 is still design by UK design team and assembled in Thailand. Maybe CKD by Federal Auto later.
More feedback, or user experience (UX) can be given after test drives. If price priority and it standout in a crowded national cars on the road. I would buy it (manual version) with custom British RAF signature.
SAAIC motor corporation is China’s biggest producer of motor vehicles. Around 4 million units last year. Joint ventures to produce VW also with General Motors producing Buick based models. If they make the MG, they will perfect it.