100 MG6 on year long test

INDUSTRY NEWS: Drivers give fleet the nod

First Car Rental has been running the MG6 for more than a year now.


FIRST Car Rental took on a fleet of more than 100 MG6 vehicles about a year ago. Craig Lanham-Love, chief operating officer of MG SA, said he was pleased to have been able to place 100 vehicles with the company as this is an extremely well run, no-nonsense operation that is professional in its business.

"There is no better way to test the MG6 and to ensure that we receive honest feedback on the vehicle than having First Car Rental customers using and monitoring the MG6 performance and reliability. I am pleased to say the MG6 has passed with flying colours," said Lanham-Love.

In a survey done to gauge rental customer acceptance of the MG brand, 88% of the respondents indicated they enjoyed the MG6 and described it as easy and comfortable to drive around town with good responsive power for overtaking and an easy gear change.

Others commented that it was sporty looking, has good handling characteristics and a smooth, comfortable ride, and was quiet and relaxed when cruising on the highway, while another described the vehicle as feeling "like an airliner on the ground".

First Car Rental received its first batch of MG6 1.8T units in April 2012 and took on additional units in January this year.

Melissa Storey, executive head of strategy, development and marketing at First Car Rental, said that the MG6 was successfully integrated into the company’s fleet. "If the results of our survey highlighting likes and dislikes of the average driver are taken into account, the MG6 could become a big hit with the South African market."

According to Russell McKay, the company’s general manager for fleet, finance and damage, the MG6 is proving to be a solid rental vehicle.

"It is well built with lots of extra features that come as standard. This aspect is always noticed and appreciated by the rental market.

"The MG6 is a fairly upmarket vehicle with a turbo engine which makes it ideal for the open road. Its ride is smooth and responsive and it has huge interior space, as well as superb handling," said McKay.

He said that as soon as the company gets a clearer view of the residual values achieved by the vehicles, it will definitely consider replacement units.

"We also look forward to the launch of the new MG3 model, which should be an easy fit into our rental fleet," McKay added.

patpending wrote:Doesn't Johannesburg look like London?

100? What percentage of sales is that? I can only presume the South Africans have been able to service and repair them better than the UK could the Avis ones.