MG plans to build a manufacturing plant and a research & development centre in Mexico, the carmaker said on Wednesday, adding it would bring the additional benefit of gleaning market intelligence specific to Latin America.
The firm joins other electric-vehicle makers with plans to build plants in Mexico, the US' largest trade partner, such as BYD and Tesla, though the latter recently put its plans on hold.
The move will allow MG, a formerly British brand now owned by China's SAIC, to “not only produce vehicles, but to also produce market intelligence specifically designed for and by Latin America,” country head Zhang Wei said in a statement.
The firm did not say how much it plans to invest or provide a construction timeline, however.
MG said its plant would aim to “make Mexico a pole for growth and expansion for SAIC Group and MG in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
It did not mention the US, but added that sister brand IM, a luxury electric-vehicle line, also plans to enter the Mexican market.
In April, Reuters reported that Mexico's federal government, under pressure from the US, would no longer offer incentives to Chinese carmakers to invest.
Chinese carmaker BYD has said the Mexico plant will not serve the US market. In May, US President Joe Biden rolled out steep tariff hikes on Chinese EVs.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said the plans to build a plant in Mexico are on hold to see if Republican candidate Donald Trump wins November's presidential elections, as the former president has said he would levy heavy tariffs on EVs made in Mexico.
MG to build manufacturing plant, R&D centre in Mexico
Image: Supplied
MG plans to build a manufacturing plant and a research & development centre in Mexico, the carmaker said on Wednesday, adding it would bring the additional benefit of gleaning market intelligence specific to Latin America.
The firm joins other electric-vehicle makers with plans to build plants in Mexico, the US' largest trade partner, such as BYD and Tesla, though the latter recently put its plans on hold.
The move will allow MG, a formerly British brand now owned by China's SAIC, to “not only produce vehicles, but to also produce market intelligence specifically designed for and by Latin America,” country head Zhang Wei said in a statement.
The firm did not say how much it plans to invest or provide a construction timeline, however.
MG said its plant would aim to “make Mexico a pole for growth and expansion for SAIC Group and MG in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
It did not mention the US, but added that sister brand IM, a luxury electric-vehicle line, also plans to enter the Mexican market.
In April, Reuters reported that Mexico's federal government, under pressure from the US, would no longer offer incentives to Chinese carmakers to invest.
Chinese carmaker BYD has said the Mexico plant will not serve the US market. In May, US President Joe Biden rolled out steep tariff hikes on Chinese EVs.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said the plans to build a plant in Mexico are on hold to see if Republican candidate Donald Trump wins November's presidential elections, as the former president has said he would levy heavy tariffs on EVs made in Mexico.
MORE
WATCH | China's drivers worry as robotaxis pick up pace — and passengers
South Korea to require EV makers to disclose battery brands after fire
Rivian sticks to flat production outlook for 2024
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos