MG: We’re coming to Malaysia this year, MG HS and MG ZS to launch in 2022

2022 could very well be the year MG returns to Malaysia after a 17-year hiatus, as the British-Chinese marque has revealed plans to expand into Malaysia sometime this year.

During an online press conference earlier this week, Zhang Haibo, Managing Director of SAIC Motor CP Co. Ltd. and MG Sales (Thailand) confirmed MG’s re-entry into Malaysia later this year, as reported by our sister site Autofun.

Also Read: Spied: 2021 MG ZS EV spotted testing in Malaysia - launching next year?

According to him, Thai-assembled units of the MG HS and MG ZS will be exported within the ASEAN region, Malaysia included. These two models have found their way to Indonesia and Vietnam earlier this year.

Also Read: Is MG Berjaya silently previewing the MG HS and MG ZS in Malaysia?

This announcement curiously lacks the mention of local assembly (CKD), which is necessary to escape high taxes in Malaysia and essential for MG to price their models competitively here.

Also Read: MG vehicles to be locally-assembled in Malaysia, first model to be MG HS?

But that’s not all, as MG also added that there are plans to export the C-segment MG5 to various markets within this region as well.

Also Read: 2021 MG 5 previewed in Thailand to fight Civic & Altis! RM 77k - RM 103k, 119 PS 150 Nm

As a brief recap, the MG HS is a C-segment SUV that is aimed at established rivals like the Proton X50, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5. This SUV is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine that does 162 PS and 250 Nm, hooked up to a 7-speed DCT that drives the front wheels.

Also Read: 2021 MG HS – What is it and can it challenge the Proton X70?

Then there’s the MG ZS. Over in Thailand, the B-segment MG ZS is available either as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a regular petrol variant. It remains to be seen which variant will be offered in Malaysia. 

Also Read: The 2021 MG ZS is coming to Malaysia - does the HR-V still have a chance?

Elsewhere, MG has also added that they will increase the production of EV batteries in Thailand with a THB 2 billion investment, leading to a higher percentage of local content for its Thai-assembled models by 2023.

The Shanghai-based car company also added that they have plans to recycle and repurpose EV batteries as well.