MG topped China's NEV exports in the first half of this year with a 25.3 percent share.

(Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin (center) witnessed the first Thailand-made MG4 EV roll off the production line. Image credit: SAIC)

MG Motor, owned by SAIC Motor, is set to further consolidate its presence in the international market as it starts producing electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand.

MG saw its first locally produced New MG4 Electric Thailand Edition officially roll off the production line on November 4, SAIC announced on November 5.

This is MG's first EV produced in Thailand and will be part of MG's future plans for electric vehicles in the Southeast Asian market, an SAIC announcement said.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin visited SAIC Motor-CP, SAIC's joint venture with Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group, and witnessed the ceremony at the joint venture's production site.

Thailand will continue to promote local production and sales of EVs and will continue incentives to promote EV consumption, Thavisin said.

The MG brand entered Thailand in 2019 and has accumulated sales of more than 200,000 units in the country to date, according to SAIC.

The MG4 was launched in September 2022 and the compact crossover is known as the MG Mulan in China and the MG4 Electric in overseas markets.

When the model was launched last year, SAIC said the MG4 is an EV for the global market, available not only to Chinese consumers but also to be exported to about 20 other countries.

The MG Mulan measures 4,287 millimeters in length, 1,836 millimeters in width and 1,516 millimeters in height, with a wheelbase of 2,705 millimeters. It is currently offered in six variants in China with a starting price range of RMB 139,800 (19,150) to RMB 186,800.

MG topped China's new energy vehicle (NEV) exports in the first half of this year with a 25.3 percent share, market researcher Canalys said in an October 25 report.

In addition to EVs, SAIC has also begun producing power batteries in Thailand.

On October 31, SAIC Motor-CP opened a power battery plant in Thailand with an annual production capacity of 50,000 battery packs, according to Xinhua.

($1 = RMB 7.3013)

Canalys expects China's auto exports to reach 5.4 million in 2023, NEVs to contribute 40%