The forthcoming MG 4 appears set to hit Australian showrooms in early 2023.
Motoring outlet Drive reports that the model has been “confirmed” for the Australian market, with its debut scheduled for early 2023.
Speaking to AutoTalk, an MG Motor Australia and New Zealand spokesperson described the story as “speculative”.
The Toyota Corolla-sized MG 4 could line up as Australia’s cheapest electric vehicle, potentially further igniting a rivalry at the affordable end of the EV market between MG and BYD.
MG has yet to formally unveil the MG4, having only showcased the car via a series of teaser images issued in February.
It’s a similar story in terms of the 4’s specifications. MG has only shared the model’s overall length. It’s 4300mm long, making it significantly larger than the MG 3, and almost exactly the same length as the ZS crossover.
Inevitably, none of the MG 4’s powertrain, battery, or pricing details have been confirmed.
It’s speculated that the model will undercut the $46,990 entry-level price of its ZS EV cousin. It may also borrow some of the ZS’s electric vehicle hardware.
The news comes as MG continues to build market momentum in Australasia.
The brand, new owned by Chinese giant SAIC, relaunched several years ago. The success of the ZS and HS in particular have seen it begin to jockey with the likes of Subaru and Honda for sales position.
The brand announced a scheme for hotels around Australia to purchase heavily subsidised EV chargers late last year. It extended this scheme to New Zealand earlier this month, and on Australian soil has expanded the offer to also include selected businesses in regional New South Wales.
In most regions of Australia the MG ZS EV remains the cheapest fully electric vehicle on the market. Although in Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and Tasmania the BYD Atto 3 is slightly cheaper due to lower government-imposed costs.
