MG ute firms for Australia

Budget auto brand MG is working on a secret new ute project for Australia, a senior local executive of the Chinese car-maker has confirmed to carsales.

Details remain scant at present, but a turbo-diesel dual-cab ute wearing MG badges could be as soon as 18 months away from Australian showrooms if it's based on an existing model from the giant SAIC stable – longer if it's an all-new pick-up.

At this stage one possibility is the MG Extender ute (pictured), which is already sold in Thailand in right-hand drive and is essentially a re-badged version of the LDV T60.

LDV Australia’s T60 ute is currently priced from a sharp $41,000 drive-away, but its all-new replacement – codenamed GST – was revealed in April and it could bring a range-extender hybrid powertrain following its Australian release late this year or in early 2025.

However, MG Motor Australia’s senior product and strategy manager, Akshat Ahuja, suggested the company is seeking a pick-up with its own identity – or at least a heavily modified ute based on an existing vehicle within the SAIC portfolio – and not just a rebadged LDV T60.

“We are taking that approach [to get a localised ute for Australia], especially because we know the importance of that product and we want to have the right product, not just any product,” said Ahuja.

“Our aim is to launch the right product,” MG Motor Australia’s product planning boss told carsales.

Ahuja confirmed work now underway on the MG ute project but cautioned that the company wouldn’t be rushed into launching a half-hearted model, which would rival top-sellers like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux by offering a 4x4 drivetrain and a towing capacity of at least 3500kg.

“So that’s what we are very focused on having – the right product for our market, which people will like and which will deliver sales results as well. That’s why it’s taking a bit of time and it will take some more time,” he explained.

MG Motor Australia’s new chief commercial officer, Giles Belcher, didn’t mince his words when asked if a ute was a high priority for the burgeoning Chinese auto brand.

“Of course. Utes are 25 per cent of the market and it’s probably growing year on year. If we can find the right solution to bring in a product, it would be amazing,” he told carsales.

Unlike the Kia Tasman, which is a completely new, purpose-built mid-size ute built from the ground up as a global model, MG is unlikely to develop a unique pick-up to be built in left- and right-hand drive and sold worldwide.

Oleg Son, MG’s chief designer, all but put the kybosh on a new global ute from MG last year, but it’s now clear that MG Motor Australia carries enough weight with head office in China to get the ball rolling on a localised product.

“Have a look at MG’s export markets and we are up there, so our voice inside the parent company is pretty strong. We get a fair hearing and we get lots of support, so we’re very happy with our position in the group,” said Belcher.

He stated that the Australian market is “very important” within MG’s global empire and although the ambitious Chinese brand is not seeking to dethrone Toyota as Australia’s top auto brand like BYD, it’s already solid top-10 player Down Under and its mission is to grow its market share here.

MG Motor Australia currently has around 100 dealerships nationwide, but Belcher says the arrival of a ute would see that number increase in line with the substantial sales growth it will bring.

“We’ve got most areas covered but if we did ever get a commercial range then we probably have to look at appointing more rural dealers.”

carsales understands an MG version of the new T60 could be released here as soon as 2026, but if MG decides to go it alone with an all-new ute it wouldn't materialise for several more years.

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