Inovev forecasts 100,000 units per year in Europe of the new MG ZS SUV
- MG (a subsidiary of the Chinese group SAIC) has unveiled the second generation of its B-segment SUV, the ZS. The replacement of this model is crucial for the carmaker because since 2020 it has been the best-selling Chinese model in Europe. Thus, 87,195 units were sold there in 2023, compared to 44,109 in 2022, 26,381 in 2021 and 15,994 in 2020. Over the first seven months of 2024, 60,493 units were sold there, which represents an annual rate of 100,000 units. In total, nearly 250,000 ZSs were sold in Europe between 2017 and July 2024.
- The new MG ZS is 11 cm longer than the old one (4.43 m versus 4.32 m), which corresponds to the dimensions of an SUV in the C segment and no longer in the B segment, like the old generation ZS.
- An important point is that the new MG ZS will not be available in a battery electric version like the old model (the BEV version represented 36% of ZS sales) but only in a 1.5 petrol version and in a 1.5 full-hybrid version seen on the recent MG 3. The replacement of the battery electric ZS will be completely different and based on the MG 4 C-segment sedan.
- The new MG ZS will be produced in China as before, but it is possible that it will be one day produced in Europe, when SAIC has decided where to build its future European factory. Inovev forecasts 100,000 sales per year of the MG ZS in Europe (EU + United Kingdom + Switzerland + Norway) regardless of the mode of distribution in Europe, i.e. either through importation from China either through local production in Europe, or both. But a possible 38% surcharge on imported MGs could hamper the carmaker's sales.