SAIC Motor Corporation, one of the biggest corporations in the world and the largest
automobile giant in China, has announced its plan to enter the Indian
automobile market through a fully-owned car manufacturing facility in the
country. For the purpose of conducting its business in India, SAIC has
established a fully-owned subsidiary, MG Motor India.
In the meantime, former
Managing Director of General Motors India Rajeev Chaba has been appointed as
the President and Managing Director of MG Motor India. Chaba’s last assignment
was as global COO in Vanguard Logistics, USA and as an operating partner of
ManCapital, a UK based Private equity firm.
P. Balendran who till recently
worked as Vice President, Corporate Affairs, General Motors India, has been
appointed as the Executive Director of MG Motor India. Balendran has joined MG Motor India after
spending over 18 years in global automobile companies in senior positions.
Ranked 46th in the Fortune
Global 500 list, with an annual revenue of over US $ 100 Billion, SAIC Motor is
in the process of finalising its manufacturing facility and is firming up its
product strategy for the Indian market, details of which will be announced at a
later stage.
SAIC Motor’s vision for India
is to deliver environment friendly mobility solutions under the iconic “MG”
(Morris Garages) brand. As a new-age auto company focused on innovation and
technology, the company offers various solutions and technological capabilities
required in the development of ‘New Energy Vehicles’, to cater to the changing
needs of global customers and the overall ecosystem.
“The introduction of the
iconic British Sports Car Brand ‘MG' in India is an important part of SAIC
Motor’s global strategy. Our aim is to provide best-in-class vehicles,
integrating sophisticated British design and quality, breakthrough product
features and a pleasing ownership experience,” the company said in a statement.
The MG brand, which originated as an iconic British Racing Sports Brand in the
year 1924, has evolved into a modern-day innovative brand through the last 93
years.
MG products are designed and
engineered at its European & Global Design Centres. They will now also be
manufactured in India while conforming to global quality standards and aligning
with the Indian regulations, emission norms and driving conditions.
SAIC Motor adopts the global
standard in developing high quality products in various markets where it is
located across the globe including UK, USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South
America, Middle East, South East Asia, Thailand and Indonesia. SAIC Motor has
also established its ‘Overseas Innovation Center’ in Silicon Valley,
California. Over the years, both its MG and Maxus brands have respectively
emerged as one of the fastest growing brands in UK, Australia, New Zealand,
Chile and Thailand.
SAIC Motor’s recent launch of
a breakthrough ‘internet car’ in collaboration with Alibaba in the ‘connected
car space’ is a new milestone in the global automotive industry which has seen
unprecedented success. “This was possible by integrating the premium
technological resources through the company’s leading world-class supplier
base,” the company said.
The company has also started
functional level appointments to further strengthen its operations going
forward.