The new model MG3 available now.
It’s the fourth month in a row that registrations have been in decline according to figures released recently by the Motor Industry Association.
To highlight the pain the industry is currently going through is the fact that the number of new makes and models that have entered the market in those past 10 years has increased significantly. This makes it even more challenging to make a sale at the best of times without battling through the tough economic times the country is currently going through.
One of the hardest parts in endeavouring to begin a conversation with the buying public is trying to find a positive starting point. Having an all-new model come to market that is affordable and carries a range of high-specification features, including the popular hybrid option plus long term warranty, is therefore music to the ears of new vehicle distributors such as MG Motor New Zealand who are lucky enough to be in that position currently.
They have recently released the all-new MG3.
Although now part of the rapid growth of Chinese produced vehicles onto the motoring stage globally, the MG brand name has routes that go back to the 1920s when it was a famous British sports car marque. It’s another nice- to-have tick in the box for sales staff when endeavouring to strike up conservation with prospective buyers.
The MG3 is not for everyone but it does compete in a popular segment ideally suited for buyers looking towards the smaller end of the market but with no compromises on performance and safety.
It can also help start the discussion comparing the differences and benefits of second hand verses new options.
The MG3 is offered with a petrol only or hybrid power train line-up with entry level Excite and top specification Essence models available.
Prices range from between $25,990 to $31,990 and like all the Chinese brands on the market, these prices sit at the lower end of the scale in comparison to its competitors. The entire range also benefits from a 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty program and 7-year MG Motor Roadside Assist.
Other makes competing in the same space as the all-new MG3 include the Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift and the Honda Jazz all of whom also offer the popular hybrid option of some sort. Non hybrid competition comes from the likes of the Kia Stonic and Mazda2.
MG Motors are calling their hybrid models Hybrid+ but there’s nothing overly special about the technology as it basically self-charges while driving with no plug-in option and like its competition, the recently introduced extra road user charges do not apply. Claimed combined fuel consumption is 4.3l/100km, a figure which potentially could be almost halved if the vehicle was used on short runs around towns like Whitianga.
While both models are identical in engine size, the 1.5 litre petrol engine fitted to the Hybrid+ uses what is known as an Atkinson-cycle design which compliments the electric motor better and produces a combined power and torque figures of 155Kw and 128Nm respectively which is class leading by a country mile. The only down side is this engine requires the higher 95 octane fuel in comparison to the non-hybrid option which can run without compromise on the cheaper 91 octane.
Seems very hard to fathom but the MG3 isn’t the only car in this category to stipulate the more expensive fuel.
Safety has also been a main focal point in the all-new 5 seater MG3 in all variants. Included are adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, emergency braking and blind spot detection.
The MG3 is a hard car to dislike for those in the market for a vehicle of this size and in this price range but it does have its quirks. The one outstanding omission is the lack of a split folding rear seat which the majority of Kiwi motorists have now come to expect. It cuts the occupant space down considerably if the rear seat is folded flat to accommodate extra luggage etc.
The big win however especially for those living on the eastern side of the Coromandel is the MG3 can be serviced and have warranty items attended to locally. Farmer Auto Village in Whitianga are MG agents (amongst other makes and models) and can take care of all things mechanical and even help negotiate a sale.
It’s a huge advantage for potential owners and a massive point of difference in a time when the buying public are grateful for every dollar saved.
The MG3 can be viewed at Farmer Auto Village, Whitianga by appointment.
