MG Motor UK Q3 market report
ZS models lead growth in 2021 MG registrations, reports Richard Colby
Sales records continue to tumble at MG Motor UK as the re-born marque passed 20,000 UK registrations in mid-September, beating its record volume of 18,414 for the whole of 2020 with over three months trading still to go.
September 2021 went on to be MG Motor UK’s best ever month with 5452 registrations, giving MG a 2.5% share of the UK market. The market grew by 5.9% in the first nine months of 2021 but MG registrations increased by 61% compared to the same period in 2020, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In July MG took 8.9% of the UK battery electric vehicle (BEV) market to become the third-best-selling EV brand that month. A fitting position for a company that now has the greatest proportion of EV models compared to any other manufacturer selling both EV and conventionally fuelled ‘ICE’ (internal combustion engine) vehicles.
Registration data for the first six months of 2021 (see table) indicate that plug-in models, including the new HS PHEV, now represent around 35% of all new MGs registered. The ZS EV leads the way, with nearly a fifth of new MG registrations, followed by the MG5 EV on 13%. The MG5 EV has now replaced the original 2017 MG ZS to become MG Motor UK’s fastest-selling new model with nearly 1700 MG5 EVs registered in the first half of 2021. Strong demand from fleet customers, particularly in the private hire market, plus the appeal of the new long-range model, are likely further to boost MG5 EV registrations.
Meanwhile, petrol models still represent 65% of new MG registrations, the MG ZS remaining the best-seller with 32% of all MG UK sales. Its bigger brother, the MG HS, has seen a recent surge in popularity following TV and online advertising campaigns this year and 22% of new MGs registered in the first half of 2021 were HS petrol models.
Monthly registrations of 2411 in July, 1494 in August and 5452 in September helped MG take 1.74% of the UK market for the first nine months of 2021, matching Renault and ahead of other rivals including Honda, Suzuki and Mazda.
In order to maintain this position and continue to grow, MG requires a strong dealer network with a wide UK coverage. Nearly 30 new MG dealer outlets have opened since January 2021 with particular growth in the north, southeast and Scotland. MG will soon have a network of over 140 dealers across the four nations of the UK, stretching from Hayle in Cornwall to Lerwick in the Shetland Isles.
As MG Motor UK's commercial director, Guy Pigounakis, commented recently: “MG is rapidly establishing itself as a major player in the UK car market and a highly desirable franchise for dealers, as evidenced not only by our record sales but also in the sustained growth and geographical spread of our dealers across the UK, who are doing a great job in engaging the public with our amazing brand.” Q4 looks even more promising.
MG ZS remains the most popular MG model based on January to June 2021 MG registration data. MG registrations in September 2021 have climbed significantly following a 2019 upsurge. MG HS registrations have benefited from a recent advertising campaign.