MG Motor will announce the location of its first European plant this summer

MG Motor, one of the brands of the Chinese giant SAIC, plans to reveal the location of its first production plant on European soil this summer, according to sources close to the company. The manufacturer seems to have a very clear idea of what characteristics a possible site on the continent must have, and which ones do not meet the requirements.

On the other hand, MG Motor appears to have ruled out the possibility of acquiring an existing production plant, and offers have certainly not been lacking. The company, however, prefers to start this new project from scratch.

According to some recent reports, the announcement could come in the coming months. The new production plant of MG Motor will initially have a production capacity of 100,000 vehicles per year and will begin operating within 12 to 16 months after receiving final approval, which has not yet been granted. The company is also studying the possibility of later building a second plant with the same production capacity in another location, rather than doubling the initial production capacity of this first plant.

MG Motor’s interest in producing in Europe goes back a long way

Although the European Union’s imposition of special tariffs on imports of electric vehicles from China makes it practically necessary for the company to produce in Europe, the truth is that SAIC had expressed its intention to produce the MG4 in this market long ago.

In the summer of 2024, northern Spain, particularly Galicia, emerged as a prominent candidate due to its excellent maritime connections with the United Kingdom, the most important European market for MG. A few months later, the European Union’s imposition of a special 35.3 percent tariff on SAIC led the Chinese government to rule out investment in those European countries that supported this measure, which may have excluded many rivals.

In terms of sales, MG Motor is one of the most successful Chinese-controlled manufacturers in Europe, with 243,395 vehicles sold in 2024, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid and conventional hybrid models. A rebound in the company’s sales is also expected following the recent presentation of the renewed MG4. Not to mention that the MG S5 EV, successor to the MG ZS EV, is already ready to reach the European market.