MG’s European sales double in first 11 months

MG’s European deliveries jumped 106 percent to top 100,000 in the first 11 months, according to SAIC Motor Corp., the Chinese owner of the famed British car brand.

MG sales in continental Europe soared 160 percent to exceed 50,000 while  deliveries in the United Kingdom spiked 64 percent to approach 50,000, SAIC said.

The surge in volume came after MG established an extensive dealership network across Europe and expanded its product lineup.

MG has opened more than 790 stores in 38 European countries, with plans to further expand its distribution network in the region, SAIC said.

The brand’s latest model, the MG4 Electric, went on sale in Europe in September. European consumers have placed more than 20,000 orders for the full-electric hatchback in the past three months, SAIC noted. 

Nanjing Auto, a state-owned Chinese automaker, bought the MG brand in 2005 from bankrupt U.K. automaker MG Rover. Two years later, Nanjing Auto was acquired by SAIC.

MG operates plants in China, Thailand and India and sells vehicles in Europe through imports.