MG Australia aims to become the third best-selling car brand in Australia by 2030, but admits it needs a ute in the local model mix to achieve that ambition
The British-turned-Chinese brand has recorded remarkable growth locally over the past few years and is now firmly established as a top 10 player.
For reference, utility vehicles, or utes, are the second most popular vehicle segment after midsize SUVs here in Australia.
The ute in question: the MG Extender DC
Rapid growth has been driven primarily by the ZS compact SUV and MG3 city car, of which new-generation versions have been released this year.
MG Australia reiterated its hopes to launch a ute in the future, suggesting its preference is for an all-new vehicle rather than a rebadged commercial ute from SAIC sister brand LDV.
“We will never get the chance on top three [sales position without a ute],” said MG Australia CEO Peter Ciao at last week’s launch of the new-generation ZS compact SUV.
A look inside the cabin of the current Extender model sold in Thailand
“We said we aim for the top-five by 2027, and top-three by 2030… we can’t do that without a ute. That’s a hundred per cent where we’re coming from. It’s just a case of when [we can get a ute].”
The company has ruled out importing the MG Extender DC (Dual Cab), a right-hand-drive ute sold in Thailand that is a rebadged LDV T60.
The LDV T60 ute range is offered in Australia via an independent importer.
The Extender is not a ‘range extender’ electric ute as the name might suggest, instead powered by a conventional four-cylinder turbo diesel engine.
MG wants a ute to help it get to being a top-three manufacturer in Australia
MG is expanding its petrol-electric offerings among its model line-up and Ciao said that would extend to its ute if there was customer demand in Australia.
“If hybrid [technology] is needed [for the ute], we will do that.”
MG will follow 2024’s big launches of it two most popular models – MG3 and ZS – with a busy 2025.
In addition to petrol-only versions of the ZS in the first quarter, new models include the ES5 (replacement for the ZS EV), MG7 sedan, and a three-row (5+2 layout) SUV.
