Right-hand drive MG5 emerges – but not for UK

The smart, coupé-style, four-door saloon which, confusingly, shares the MG5 name with the all-electric estate car being sold in the UK and Europe, is shortly to begin assembly in Thailand, where the local market is right-hand-drive like the UK, Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

Exports of this new model, which is proving popular in China where it has risen up the very complex sales charts to 28th place, may well be destined for export but not, it seems, to the UK. The official stance is that UK saloon sales remain poor and even the sales of prestige saloons from the familiar trinity of Audi, BMW and Mercedes have been shrinking here.

Understandable the logic may be but, in our view, it is a shame that this modern, stylish, small car, right at the forefront of MG Motor’s capabilities, may continue to be denied a western audience.

Yang Chaoyue, a famous Chinese ‘influencer’, is contracted to MG China as a brand ambassador for the MG5. There is even an ‘MG5 Chaoyueqing Luxury Limited Edition’ but, as yet, no plans for the RHD car to come to the UK.