MG News

The European Union is proposing an alternative to its tariffs targeting Chinese-made electric-powered vehicles, in the form of a minimum price model, according to Bloomberg.Under the model, Chinese exporters can submit price offers, which must be “adequate to eliminate the injurious effects of the subsidies and provide equivalent effect to duties”.Details such as the minimum import price, sales channels, cross compensation and future investments in the EU must be included.Alternatively, brands who do not use this new model will continue to be subject to the tariffs.A 2024 investigation found China’s car exporters gained unfair advantage from Chinese government subsidies, which found they were able to sell cars significantly under the price of Europe-built alternatives.To combat this, Chinese brands were hit with tariffs of up to 35 per cent on imports in addition to a 10 per cent foreign cars tariff.These tariffs are designed to counteract the impact of these subsidies to protect jobs and entice buyers toward European cars.They also are intended to encourage Chinese brands to build cars in Europe.Chinese auto makers have already begun building cars in Europe.For example, Xpeng is using local assembly in Austria, while Leapmotor manufactures cars in Poland.This latest change demonstrates a cooperative approach between the EU and Chinese car makers, described as a “soft landing” in China.Despite tough economic conditions for Chinese car makers in Europe, brands are gaining an increasingly strong hold.Chinese car brands outsold Renault and Audi in Europe during August in 2025. The following month they sold more vehicles than South Korean brands in Western Europe for the first time ever.These defiant sales figures are largely due to Chinese brands shifting focus from EVs to the import of hybrid and internal combustion vehicles.The news comes after reports that the EU is planning to remove its total ban on petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035.

Sales of light passenger cars in Australia have slowly been dipping further and further over the years but an unlikely new entrant may turn this around.Last year China’s BYD announced the pricing for its new entry-level Atto 1 electric hatchback. With a mind-blowing starting price of $23,990 before on-roads, it’s the cheapest new electric vehicle (EV) in Australia by a strong margin.The BYD Atto 1, despite being an EV, undercuts many similarly sized petrol hatchbacks in terms of entry asking price. Examples include the Mazda 2, MG3, Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris.One of the few cars that undercuts the Atto 1’s competitive starting price is the Kia Picanto, which is still Australia’s cheapest new car. It starts from $19,190 before on-road costs.During 2025 a total of 7166 examples of the Picanto were sold, which is up 23.1 per cent year-on-year.Despite being the cheapest new vehicle in Australia, it’s not the best-selling light passenger car. This crown goes to the MG3, which currently starts from $21,888 drive-away. A total of 8350 examples were sold last year, though this is technically down 33.5 per cent year-on-year.There are clearly still many Australians looking at the budget end of the new car market to make a purchase, especially as cost of living crunches.Many carmakers are now finding it hard to sell such a car profitably while still packaging all the required safety equipment and meeting tightening emission standards.This is where EVs like the BYD Atto 1 could thrive as they don’t emit any CO2 tailpipe emissions.In terms of other small-to-light EV hatchbacks that are due to launch locally over the next 12 months or so, MG has confirmed it’s introducing its new, city-focused MG4 Urban, plus Leapmotor is launching the B05 electric hatchback in the second half of 2026.Many Australians now prefer SUVs over small hatchbacks and sedans.SUV sales in Australia have been going from strength to strength for years now and there are plenty of budget offerings that in some cases are cheaper than hatchbacks and offer more space.Examples include the Chery Tiggo 4, GWM Haval Jolion and Mahindra XUV3XO which all start at $23,990 drive-away.Around the same time BYD announced the Atto 1 electric hatchback for Australia, it also confirmed it’s introducing the Atto 2 small electric SUV locally.It’s priced from $31,990 before on-road costs, which makes it Australia’s cheapest electric SUV though it’s still $8000 more than the overall cheapest SUV.There are plenty of other budget-oriented electric SUVs available including the Hyundai Inster which currently starts at $35,990 drive-away thanks to an offer, as well as the Chery E5 and Leapmotor B10 which both currently start at $38,990 drive-away.

The Australian new car market is going through one of its biggest changes to date.A wave of budget-focused Chinese brands has washed over the market in the past two years, eating away into the sales of many established carmakers.The emergence of new technologies such as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles will change the cars we drive forever.Despite that, some things have stayed the same. Diesel-powered utes and 4WDs are the dominant force in Aussie motoring, but new models are snapping at their heels.Here are the best selling 100 vehicles in Australia during the past year.

It’s a good time to be a Chinese car brand in Australia. It’s seemingly as easy as showing up, offering a sharp price and watching the customers flood in.

Who will break first - legacy brands or struggling newcomers?

An all-new MG has received top safety marks. The MG 7 mid-size liftback picked up a five-star ANCAP safety rating ahead of its Australia launch. It joins the market as a potential rival to the popular Toyota Camry, gearing up to hit Aussie roads early next year, starting from $44,990 (before on-road costs). The car received 88 per cent for adult protection and 85 per cent for child protection as per ANCAP testing.ANCAP noted the MG 7’s comprehensive active safety technologies, such as autonomous emergency braking. In the frontal offset test, good protection was offered for most critical body regions for the driver, apart from the chest and lower legs where it was adequate. It was stated that the front structure of the car presented a moderate risk to occupants of oncoming vehicles, with a penalty applied to its score. According to the full width frontal test, there was good protection for all critical body areas for the driver, with rear passenger chest protection marginal and good elsewhere. In more MG safety news, one of its most popular models has received a safety boost, with its ZS small SUV, shifting from a four-star rating to a five-star. The rating increase for the ZS is due to the addition of a centre airbag, and has pushed adult protection up to 81 per cent. Elsewhere the SUV scored maximum points in the side impact test, with adequate protection for the driver in the oblique pole test and good protection in all other body areas. For child protection, the car scored 84 per cent, but there was poor protection for the 10-year-old dummy’s chest. ANCAP also revealed the GWM Haval H7 mid-size SUV has been awarded a five-star rating.It launched earlier this year as a hybrid rival to the best-selling Toyota RAV4 and has managed 379 sales up to December.The Haval H7 received 89 per cent and 91 per cent for adult and child protection, respectively. In frontal offset testing, adequate protection was offered for the driver chest and lower legs, with good protection elsewhere, including for the front passenger. GWM has issued a voluntary recall over the dislodgement of the driver’s head restraint from the seat back, following what is being described as an anomaly during the full width frontal test.

MG4 gets significant interior upgrades.

Despite a huge onslaught of fresh competition in the Australian ute market, November new car registration figures show established players continue to lead the category by a healthy margin.

MG Australia has confirmed the pricing and specifications of the new MG7 mid-size liftback.

Solid-state batteries are almost here.