Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor has pointed to Europe for its latest electric vehicle factory, potentially marking a return to the continent for former iconic British brand MG
SAIC, which owns MG, pointed to strong demand for its electric vehicles in Europe, amid a 40% jump in sales outside of China during the first three months of the year.
MGs had been built in Birmingham until 2016, but saw production moved to China by the state-owned company which dubbed the UK as no longer “required” at the time.
According to SAIC, MGs have accounted for the majority of the carmakers international sales so far this year, though which brand will be produced at the new site remains to be seen.
“We have many brands including MG, IM and Maxus. We are still deciding which will be built at the factory,” a spokesperson for SAIC said.
The move marks a boost for the European auto manufacturing sector, which has struggled to make leeway against the US after President Biden introduced the Inflation Reduction Act last year.
Manufacturers have been able to access subsidies and tax credits under the US$369bn act, prompting calls for further public support on this side of the Atlantic.
A new site would see SAIC’s production cover China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Pakistan and now Europe, with its 100,000 sales on the continent making it the company’s largest overseas market last year.