MG is still around, in case anybody was wondering. Although it has not sold cars in the United States since 1980, MG has survived and even thrived in other markets. The company is now a Chinese-British manufacturer with expansion plans. The electric hot hatchback segment is one of the MG brand’s next targets.

An electric MG hatchback is coming

In June, we covered that MG is eyeing adding an electric sports car back into its current econocar and crossover lineup. Now there is word from our friends at Autocar, that an electric hatchback may be on its way before the end of this year, 2021.

MG has taken notice of the increasingly electrified mindset of consumers. So, the company is trying to make advances now in the development of electrified platforms. The electrification initiative will enable the manufacturer to stay either ahead of the curve or march in sync with it, while other manufacturers that don’t adapt, in theory, will languish behind.

At the same time that MG is heading toward electric platforms, the company is also expanding its reach. The manufacturer recently re-entered the Mexican market, where it plans to open dealerships aggressively. That plan has raised some eyebrows because it could theoretically be a launching point for sales to the rest of North America in the following years. But, no information regarding a possible North American roll-out for any of the manufacturer’s models has been confirmed.

Forbidden fruit

Meanwhile, a new electric hatchback is allegedly going to be revealed by the end of this year. The anticipated car is a subcompact (“Supermini” class in the UK, or “B-segment” in Europe). That would put it in the category along with the Hyundai Kona Electric, Nissan Leaf, and the Mini Electric. Sadly, the MG will still not be available for the market in the United States – forbidden fruit. 

The anticipated new electric hatchback is similar in size to the current MG3 model. But, the MG3 is one of the best sellers in the UK. So, the new electric hatchback is being speculated not to replace the successful MG3, only complement it in the lineup, at least initially. 

The MG3

The current MG3 received its latest facelift in 2018. The standard powerplant in the model is a 1.5-liter engine with approximately 106 hp. Smallness does not mean, however, that the car is without safety features. Included are anti-lock braking, stability control, brake force distribution, brake assist, and corner braking assistance. The feature-packed hatchback also has a seven-year manufacturer warranty.

The MG3 has been on sale for nearly a decade as a whole. So, the manufacturer has had time to find what works. Hopefully, this means that the new electric car will benefit from all the honing-in over the years into what customers want. Additionally, MG has other models that are hybrids or plug-ins. So, the electric arena is not entirely new to them.    

Overall, it will be interesting to see how the new, still unnamed, electric hatchback is embraced. Hatchbacks have always been popular in the UK and Europe. But, an increasing consumer appetite for crossovers. MG knew that going in, though. So, there is the possibility that the new car will be a crossover. There just isn’t enough information at this time.