MG Halts Pickup Production in Thailand Amid Market Downturn

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of BuilderNews

 

SAIC Motor-CP, the Chinese-Thai collaboration behind MG vehicles, has put the brakes on its Thai pickup truck production. This move comes as the domestic car market struggles, though there's optimism that production could gear up again once the situation stabilises.

 

MG Sales (Thailand) has chosen not to disclose the exact production numbers for their diesel pickups. However, Pongsak Lertruedeewattanavong, Vice-President of the company, assures that the impact is minimal because pickups are not their primary focus. "Production will resume when market conditions improve," he states confidently.

 

The Thai car market has been on a decline since the onset of 2023. Prospective buyers are finding it increasingly challenging to secure auto loans. This difficulty is largely due to financial institutions tightening lending criteria over fears of non-performing loans amidst high household debt and reduced consumer purchasing power.

 

Pongsak foresees this tough climate persisting throughout the year, with restricted credit access being a significant factor in the slump in sales. Domestic car sales are forecasted to reach between 550,000 and 570,000 units, encompassing electric vehicles (EVs).

 

The Federation of Thai Industries recorded a steep 26.1% drop in total car sales year-on-year, declining to 572,675 units in 2024. Pure pickup sales witnessed an even sharper fall of 38.3%, down to 163,347 units.

 

Operating out of Chon Buri, SAIC Motor-CP boasts a manufacturing facility with the capacity to produce 100,000 vehicles annually. Thailand serves as a vital export hub, primarily supplying the ASEAN region, which shields MG from the tariff complications associated with the US market, as detailed by Pongsak.

 

 

 

In the previous year, MG sold 17,000 vehicles in Thailand, an even split between electric and internal combustion engine models. The company aims to boost sales to 20,000 units this year, aspiring to increase its market share from 3% to 5%. MG is steadfast in its commitment to electric mobility, aiming for EVs to represent 60% of its sales.

 

The upcoming debut of the MG IM6 electric SUV at the Bangkok International Motor Show, scheduled from 26 March to 6 April, signifies another milestone in MG's progressive journey towards electrification. Selling at just over 4.3 million Thai Baht, this launch underscores MG’s strategic focus on the burgeoning electric vehicle market, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-20

 

 

[UWEB]

Selling at just over 4.3 million THB?

[newbee2022]

4 minutes ago, UWEB said:

Selling at just over 4.3 million THB?

It's a bargain, sure😂

[vinny41]

2 hours ago, UWEB said:

Selling at just over 4.3 million THB?

MG pickup starts from B589,000

https://www.mgcars.com/en/cars/mg-extender-gc

[transam]

1 minute ago, vinny41 said:

MG pickup starts from B589,000

https://www.mgcars.com/en/cars/mg-extender-gc

The model with the Union Jack emblem on the boot is 4.3 million............🤣

[vinny41]

16 minutes ago, transam said:

The model with the Union Jack emblem on the boot is 4.3 million............🤣

According to MG Thailand the most expensive models are MG Cyberster starting price B2,499,000 and  MG Maxus 9 starting price B2,499,000 neither are pickup trucks

[petermik]

1 hour ago, transam said:

The model with the Union Jack emblem on the boot is 4.3 million............🤣

I,M proud of the Union Jack being displayed on my MG 5.... a first class British designed vehicle IMHO ...

[Ralf001]

1 hour ago, transam said:

The model with the Union Jack emblem on the boot is 4.3 million............🤣

pickups have a boot ?

[MalcolmB]

15 minutes ago, petermik said:

I,M proud of the Union Jack being displayed on my MG 5.... a first class British designed vehicle IMHO ...

Friend of mine has a newish one.

The quality has vastly improved from the squeaky, rattly, slow heaps they used to sell.

I was surprised how quick it was from 0-100.

[NoDisplayName]

29 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

pickups have a boot ?

 

Free pair with every purchase.

(made in China)

 

[johng]

25 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Free pair with every purchase.

(made in China)

 

There are some still made in England but they are very expensive..

I found in my wardrobe in a recent trip "back home" an ancient 

pair of boots with the "Made in England" embossed on the soles  and they are very nice indeed  already like carpet slippers after minimal wearing in.

[billd766]

It looks as though the MG dealer in Kamphaeng Phet has closed down for some reason.

 

It is on the route 1 southbound from KPP, and it looked all shut up and deserted and no cars in sight anywhere, not even an MG, on Wednesday afternoon 19 March 2025.

[mogandave]

I think MG will abandon the Thai market inside of five years. 

 

Three dealerships I drive by have been shut down Two are now BYD dealers.

[factual monk]

92% of thais are neck deep in personal debts... just to show off as they are very well... they buy big cars... Land of Smiles is actually in tourist areas... as its a requirement  to smile... but inside that isn't the real story... 

[newbee2022]

On 3/20/2025 at 2:51 PM, UWEB said:

Selling at just over 4.3 million THB?

I guess you'll get a discount if you're paying cash👍

[Grumpy one]

On 3/20/2025 at 2:51 PM, UWEB said:

Selling at just over 4.3 million THB?

You get a new Camry and a one bed condo thrown in 

[ExpatOilWorker]

MG should improve their parking sensor system.

 

[newbee2022]

On 3/20/2025 at 5:20 PM, transam said:

The model with the Union Jack emblem on the boot is 4.3 million............🤣

What boot? You mean the arse of the car?

[poppysdad]

Billd766, I think all the MG’s were all on display in Robinsons last weekend and one caught my eye as being very nice but alas my wife bought a new Honda last year. 

[transam]

32 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

What boot? You mean the arse of the car?

Boot, trunk, tailgate, I think most readers got the point of my jest......🙄

[newbee2022]

7 minutes ago, transam said:

Boot, trunk, tailgate, I think most readers got the point of my jest......🙄

Apparently you're not sharing my kind of humor. Good day

[Guderian]

On 3/20/2025 at 7:06 PM, petermik said:

.... a first class British designed vehicle IMHO

 

Absolutely, it's up there in the design awards with British-designed electricity substations supplying "critical pieces of national infrastructure".... lol

[newbee2022]

On 3/20/2025 at 7:06 PM, petermik said:

I,M proud of the Union Jack being displayed on my MG 5.... a first class British designed vehicle IMHO ...

Oh,  I like your kind of humor. These Brits 🤗😂🤣.....always good for a cracking joke.🥰

 

[transam]

On 3/20/2025 at 7:06 PM, petermik said:

I,M proud of the Union Jack being displayed on my MG 5.... a first class British designed vehicle IMHO ...

Not any more, the Longbridge smoke screen did its job to get things moving, near 100% designed and manufactured in China....😉

 

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mg/360211/mg-uk-selling-chinas-british-car-brand

[cjinchiangrai]

People are out of money and in hock up to their eyeballs, there is nothing left to buy cars with.

 

MG does not do themselves any favors with their aftermarket either. I needed a battery last year and the dealer said it would take two weeks from Bangkok and I need to pay now..  Really! 20 minutes later the local tire shop had me sorted. What dealer anywhere does not stock basic parts like batteries?

 

Two weeks ago I needed to replace a door latch. The refused to sell me the part because it was for "MG mechanics only". I bet the people at SAIC do not know their dealers are refusing to sell parts.

[hotchilli]

I guess against the other pick-ups, this one doesn't cut the mustard

[trainman34014]

Less Pick-Up's on the road the better; most people only seem to use them to go shopping !

[transam]

Let's not forget, the assembly of the MG pickup in the OP is a rebadged Chinese Maxus pickup....🤗