MG returning to Malaysia

MG brand to be revived in Malaysia – Federal Auto enters into MoU with China’s SAIC, CKD possible

The MG brand is a familiar one, having been here since colonial days. More recently, Brooklands, the same people behind SsangYong and Citroen previously, tried their luck with MG and Rover cars before MG Rover went bust. Now owned by the Chinese, the MG brand will be making a comeback in Malaysia.

Federal Auto Holdings Bhd and SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC), China’s largest listed vehicle manufacturer, have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as a first step towards reviving the MG brand in Malaysia. SAIC, a partner to market leaders VW and General Motors in China, has owned the MG brand since 2007.

The MoU formalised the intention of Federal Auto and SAIC to conduct further discussions, due diligence and feasibility studies with regard to the reintroduction of MG vehicles in Malaysia. It could also lead to the development of facilities for the assembly of completely knocked down (CKD) MG cars in Malaysia.

Federal Auto, which most will know as a long time Volvo dealer (they also operate VW and Mitsubishi dealerships), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MBM Resources Berhad, which is also a stakeholder in Perodua.

MG, which current products include the MG 3 supermini and MG 6 fastback, wants to emulate Kia’s design-led approach. The company revealed the wacky MG Icon SUV concept last year, and could be bringing the sharp-looking MG CS SUV to Auto Shanghai later this month.