MG Motor Calls Its Upcoming SUV Hector, Launch in Mid 2019

The MG Hector is likely to be launched with BS-VI ready 1.5 litre petrol and 2-litre diesel engine options.

The MG Hector is likely to be launched in June 2019 at a Rs 25 lakh price point.

Photo: SAIC

MG Motor has revealed the name of its first SUV for India that is likely to be launched by June 2019. The SUV will be called the MG Hector.

The company is currently conducting all-weather testing of its first SUV in different regions of the country. The camouflaged SUV has been spotted testing quite often. It looks like it is based on the Baojun 530, an SUV made by the SAIC group, of which MG Motor is a part.

MG has been showcasing some of its vehicles around the country at malls. The MG HS, its flagship SUV, and the RX5 are also part of the portfolio being showcased. However, these are not likely to be launched in India. The next launch by MG Motor after the Hector will be an electric vehicle – most likely an electric SUV, probably based on the Marvel X.

The MG Hector has been undergoing all-weather tests in India under camouflage.Photo: MG Motor

So why the name Hector for MG’s first SUV for India?

According to a company statement, the name Hector draws inspiration from the noble qualities of the Trojan warrior hero – Prince Hector of Troy, with qualities like being strong, bold, trustworthy and dependable. The company says it will have nearly 100 dealerships in place by May 2019.

Based on the company’s global platform, the Hector has been heavily re-engineered to enrich product attributes and suit the evolving preferences of the customers and Indian road conditions.

Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India

The MG Hector will begin production in the second quarter of 2019 (April to June) and will launch with nearly 75 percent local content. It is being manufactured at the company’s plant in Halol, Gujarat – the plant that MG bought from General Motors.

The MG Hector is a five-seater SUV that will compete with the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson. It will have BS-VI ready engines that include a 1.5 litre turbo-petrol and a 2-litre diesel engine. It will get manual and automatic transmission options.

In October 2018, The Quint was invited to Shanghai to check out the line up of vehicles MG and its sister brands from SAIC have to offer. Here’s a glimpse of those vehicles.