SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: MG eZS confirmed for Oz
Local importer is soon to pitch its small electric SUV into battle with the Kona Electric in Australia's EV marketMG has made it official: the electric MG eZS will be coming to Australia.
The announcement was made this morning just after the public unveiling of the green SUV at today’s Shanghai motor show.
MG Australia has not actually revealed the precise timeframe for the local launch of the MG eZS in Australia, but product planning manager Pavel Meck told carsales.com.au prior to the presentation in Shanghai that he was “hopeful to see the vehicle in our markets within the next 12 to 18 months or so”.
Meck had anticipated the announcement, revealing that “we've definitely put our hand up for that car.
“Will the car be built in right-hand drive? Yes, it will, so naturally, being the vehicle it is and being a step ahead for our brand... it would be a shame for us not to consider the car.
The MG exec could say little about pricing for the electric SUV, which would be likely to undercut the Hyundai Kona EV on price, when it arrives in the market.
“Without going into specifics, the ZS itself has been very popular with people that, for example, have [preferred] a hatchback-sized car and they find the size of the vehicle and the fact that you can buy a small SUV for a comparatively similar price to be very positive.
“We don't see any need to change our way of thinking, the car being a 'new-energy' vehicle and a new-technology vehicle of course may attract some kind of cost impact. But we have absolutely no plans to introduce a vehicle at a price point higher than we believe the ZS [can justify].
“We will be able to bring the vehicle to market at a price that is attainable.
“The eZS being what is, the most important thing for us is not at this point be focused on the pricing of the car, but to ensure that we have the infrastructure available to service our customers once we do bring them in.”
That suggests that the recently expanded MG dealer network in Australia will shortly start incorporating fast-charging stations.
The MG eZS produces 148kW and 335Nm from its electric motor and the company claims a range of 335km, in accordance with NEDC testing.
Hooked up to a fast-charger, the MG eZS will recharge to 80 per cent of capacity within 40 minutes, the company says.
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