Saar: SAIC-owned MG Motors will launch its first set of products in 2019 in India.

Image Source: Livemint

It may come as a surprise to many because it definitely did to us, but SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) has started testing a couple of EVs (electric vehicles) in India. SAIC has an indirect presence in India through its subsidiary MG (Morris Garages) Motors. The Chinese automotive group acquired and relaunched the British car marque in 2006. The EVs in question include an SUV and a super-mini hatchback.

According to a report published by Livemint, the SUV is a test mule of the Roewe eRX5 and the urban runabout is known as the SAIC E100. Both cars went on sale in China last year and now have arrived in India for various test studies. This was confirmed by Rajeev Chaba, president and managing director, MG Motor India Pvt Ltd in an email to the Livemint:

“We have started testing some EV options in some regions of western India to gauge the range and suitability of the vehicles in different driving and climatic conditions. We may try it in different parts of the country as well, based on the present outcome of testing.”

You can see what’s happening here, can’t you?! SAIC owns both MG and Roewe brands and can just rebadge and repackage the products for different markets. Obviously, the conditions on Indian shores will be different to the ones prevailing in China. That’s why both the cars in question will be extensively testing in our country. The Roewe eRX5 SUV and SAIC E100 hatch are good for 425km and 155km between charges respectively.

The SUV draws its juices from a 48.3 kWh battery pack, which can be charged to up to 80 per cent in 40 minutes using a fast charger. Power figures stand at 116PS/255Nm. The same figures for the E100 stand at 39PS/110Nm. Both cars are currently being tested in close proximity of MG Motors Indian manufacturing facility in Halol, Gujarat. SAIC is quite serious about bringing its EV prowess to India and to get the best possible feedback on what is required on our shores, expect both these cars to surfaced in different locations of the country too.