MG Motors’ first model for our market – the Hector – has been on sale in India since June 27, this year. The demand for the SUV has been very strong, with the carmaker having to temporarily suspend bookings for the Hector in July. By this point, the carmaker had already received 28,000 bookings via its online portal and at its dealerships across the country. MG announced at the inauguration of its second flagship experience store (located in Mumbai), that it has already received 8,000 new bookings since it reopened bookings for the Hector, on September 29. Prices for the Hector also increased by Rs 30,000-40,000 (depending on version) at that time.
In terms of sales performance, MG sold 1,508 units of the Hector in July, 2,018 units in August and 2,608 units in September, which amounts to a total of 6,134 units sold over the three months.
The MG Hector is offered with multiple engine-gearbox options, including a 143hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 170hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine. A more efficient, 48V mild-hybrid variant is also available with the petrol engine. Gearbox options for the petrol are a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed DCT automatic gearbox, while the petrol-hybrid and diesel engines are only offered with the manual.
Equipment levels are also a strong suite for the Hector, especially in its top-trim, which gets features like a 360-degree camera, a large panoramic sunroof, heated ORVMs, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and eight-colour interior mood lighting as standard. Another highlight of the interior is the 10.4-inch iSmart touchscreen infotainment system which sports AI-powered voice assistance, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, and other connected car features that come curtsey of an embedded SIM.
In the Indian market, the Hector rivals the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Tata Harrier and the recently launched Kia Seltos to name a few. The carmaker also officially teased its next offering for our market – the ZS EV – ahead of its launch early next year.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Saptarshi Mondal
