MG Motor to drive in electric SUV in India by first half of 2020

MG Motor India, a wholly-owned arm of China's SAIC Motor Corp, will roll out a locally manufactured pure-electric SUV by first half of 2020, within one year of its first product launch in the country, a top company official said Monday.

The company is all set to drive in its first product, a mid-sized SUV with petrol and diesel powertrains, in the second quarter of 2019.

MG Motor would manufacture both the products at its Halol plant in Gujarat, which it acquired from General Motors last year.

"MG will launch a globally-competitive pure-electric SUV in India to make our contribution to India's energy and environmental strategies," SAIC Motor Executive Director International Business Michael Yang told reporters here.

Yang, however, did not share details regarding the size as well as range of the electric SUV.

MG Motor India President and Managing Director Rajeev Chaba said SAIC has proven technology in terms of EVs and the company is gearing up for a long haul in India in terms of environmental friendly products.

"It (electric SUV) is just the first product. We have proven capability in terms of EVs. Depending upon the policy and regulations scenario in India, we would take a call on launching more of such products in the country," he added.

When asked if lack of policy for EVs in India could be a deterrent for the company, Yang said "globally, there is a trend to move towards environment friendly vehicles. Indian government is pretty clear that electric is the way forward. There is no policy at the moment but we are not there (India) for short term. We are looking at the country with a long term perspective."