SAIC's globalization development has entered a new era, and MG's overseas expansion is accelerating again

In 2021, it surpassed South Korea, in 2022 it surpassed Germany, and in the first quarter of 2023 it surpassed Japan. China's automobile exports achieved three consecutive jumps. In addition to the unique advantages of new energy vehicles in the field of new energy vehicles, new forces in the automotive industry are rapidly continuing to expand their overseas presence. In addition, veteran independent car companies represented by SAIC Motor are constantly expanding their territory in overseas markets, which is indispensable.

At the just concluded Munich Auto Show, SAIC MG shone brightly with multiple models unveiled. The recently renamed MG4 at the Chengdu Auto Show has attracted a lot of attention. At the same time as the hot competition, the German GCOTY Automotive Award awarded the MG4 EV the honorary title of "German Compact Car of the Year". The MG4 EV became the first and only Chinese brand electric vehicle to receive this honor. After receiving the honorary title of "Best Model of the Year in the UK 2023" from the UK UK UK company and "Best Electric Vehicle of the Year" from the French Automobile Awards, the MG4 EV became the first Chinese brand electric vehicle to win the "Grand Slam of Annual Model of the Year" from the UK, France, and Germany.

It seems that SAIC is not only selling its cars to overseas markets, but has also begun to try to exchange technology and management for the market locally, comprehensively promoting the global development of Chinese car companies. SAIC MG's global layout has also entered a new era.

MG's Ambition - Creating a Truly Global Car

As the "first truly global pure electric vehicle in the history of China's automotive industry" created by the MG brand, the MG4 EV won the "China Electric Car Europe Sales Championships" from January to August this year. It is not only the most exported Chinese electric car to Europe, but also defeated a group of strong local rivals in Europe, topping the sales of pure electric compact cars in Europe. Not only in Europe, but in the year since its launch, the MG4 EV has sold well in more than 30 countries worldwide, making it the pure electric model exported by Chinese brands the most from January to July this year.

"For every three Chinese cars sold in overseas markets, one is made by SAIC." This is SAIC Group's report on going global. In 2021, SAIC Group's overseas market sales reached 697000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 78.9%. Among them, domestic brands account for 60%, and MG MG is an indispensable contributor. As the overseas sales champion of a single brand in China, MG MG has won three consecutive championships, with its products sold to 84 countries and regions worldwide, covering six continents. In May of this year, MG ZS won the first place in the SUV segment market in countries such as Australia and Chile. In the first quarter, the MG brand ranked among the top 10 single brand brands in 18 countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia.

Behind the popularity of MG new energy vehicles overseas is the true reflection of SAIC Group's targeting of new opportunities for Chinese car companies to go global and its full efforts to seize the global market. The fact that it has won the "number one Chinese single brand going global" for four consecutive years cannot be separated from the craftsmanship and polishing of MG's global quality.

The Lingdong Driving Fun Global Pure Electric MG4 EV combines global innovative research and development resources, built on the "SAIC Nebula" pure electric exclusive series platform, implementing the aesthetic of agile design. The electric rear wheel drive system is paired with a five link independent rear suspension, providing a driving experience that surpasses its peers and meets the world's strictest manufacturing standards. It has won nearly 60 awards and honors worldwide. The MG4 EV has made more global users feel the charm of China's "new car".

According to SAIC executives, the reason why the MG4 EV was SAIC's first global car was because it had set a high star development goal for Euro NCAP at the time of its project approval. At the beginning of development, SAIC International and the R&D Institute conducted a large amount of relevant research. The ultimate fact is that the star rating of Euro NCAP has a huge impact on sales in the European market. In order to support the sales of MG4 EV in the global market, achieving high star ratings in European collision testing is a must-have goal for SAIC MG. After rigorous European Euro NCAP five-star safety certification, the SAIC Rubik's Cube battery equipped with it has passed the five fold safety protection of "zero combustion technology", providing reliable protection for passengers. The MG4 EV not only meets the admission standards of over 80 countries, but has also won nearly 60 international awards.

In addition to the MG4 EV, the next generation MG ZS is under development and is expected to be put into production in 2024. Next, the brand will also launch a brand new high-end gasoline vehicle series, bringing a highly sporty gasoline car that will show consumers a different image of MG. At the same time, the world's first pure electric supercar esports cockpit MG Cyberster, co created with users, is also being orderly promoted.

Over a decade of cultivation, MG has become one of the few Chinese brands to have a say in overseas markets. Standing at the new starting point of millions of vehicles going out to sea, MG will also launch an attack towards the next million.

SAIC's Sample - Million Vehicle Challenge

Behind the glamour, MG has also experienced hardships. The century old brand MG MG is equally thrilling to go out.

Since the first batch of 60 new cars landed in Chile in 2007, MG MG has taken the first step in venturing into overseas markets. Subsequently, in 2014, the annual sales of the brand's overseas market exceeded 10000 vehicles for the first time, and in 2017, it exceeded 50000 vehicles. After 10 years of hard work, it laid a solid foundation for subsequent development. Since 2018, the overseas sales of MG brand have been doubling for several consecutive years, achieving a high-speed growth from 100000 to 1 million vehicles in just 5 years.

In the early stages of going global, the MG brand also encountered numerous setbacks. In the early days, its products were forced to be reworked due to being unsuitable for local policies, regulations or culture, such as models exported to the Middle East equipped with seat heating function, and models exported to Australia not equipped with child seat buckles. In the early years, there were many stories of this kind, and the Chinese automotive industry was indeed hindered and had a long way to go abroad. The reason why SAIC MG was able to achieve significant development depends on multiple aspects.

Firstly, because MG possesses global genes. As a global brand based in China, MG was born in the UK in 1924 and has been committed to internationalization for nearly a century. Secondly, global technology and global quality. Each of its models not only meets relevant domestic standards, but also almost all of them comply with strict European standards such as REACH and E-MARK, and meet the "dual five star" safety certification in Europe and Australia.

Besides these, the most important thing is the strong guarantee of SAIC's system. The construction of SAIC Group's international system is also a major advantage for MG. From supply chain, design, manufacturing, and marketing, it is a powerful system that supports the operation of global business, which determines MG's ability to reach this stage today.

As China's first systematic, planned, and established automobile enterprise to "go global", SAIC has built a full value chain for the automobile industry overseas, including innovation research and development centers, production bases, marketing centers, supply chain centers, and financial companies. Carrying SAIC's ambition and leveraging SAIC's first mover advantage in the entire industry chain to go global, thanks to the endorsement of the group, MG MG has formed a complete system in overseas markets and achieved certain results through more than ten years of exploration. Now entering a new journey, with the continuous launch of new products, it can be foreseen that MG will rely on its century old brand heritage and outstanding product strength to continue to ride the wind and waves, and create the "MG model" of cars going global.