Although MG has British roots stretching back a century, the company has been part of the SAIC corporate umbrella for nearly two decades. Headquartered in Shanghai, MG is making waves at one of China’s largest auto shows this week. Best known in the SAIC era for the eye-catching Cyberster convertible, the company is now unveiling something entirely different.
This is one of the first projects overseen by Jozef Kaban after he became SAIC’s Global Design Vice President last year. If the name sounds familiar, Kaban is the Slovak designer behind the legendary Bugatti Veyron, as well as more sensible vehicles like the Audi A5 Coupe, Skoda Octavia, and Volkswagen Lupo. He’s also worked for BMW and Rolls-Royce.
Photo by: SAIC
Because, for whatever reason, every other new car must have “Cyber” in its name, this stubby EV goes by the name of Cyber X. At 169 inches (4.3 meters) long, it’s about the same size as a Land Rover Defender 90. MG calls it a “city adventure toy,” suggesting this is far from a bona fide off-roader, even if it has the “attitude of exploration and adventure.” Those short overhangs were made possible by a dedicated electric vehicle platform engineered by parent company SAIC.
You can easily tell it’s a concept by the pop-up headlights, which are highly unlikely to make it to production due to safety concerns. Unlike the Ferrari Daytona SP3, whose light covers lift like eyelids while the headlights remain fixed in place, the Cyber X’s lights actually rise from the bodywork.
If MG moves forward with production, which seems likely, the Cyber X is expected to utilize SAIC’s cell-to-body (CTB) battery technology. This construction method turns the battery into a structural element of the vehicle, improving rigidity and reducing weight. Hopefully, the final version stays true to the concept’s charmingly chunky design, offering a refreshing break from today’s curvy crossover norm.
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Source: Motor1.com
You might think of SAIC as just a domestic powerhouse, but its global footprint is growing fast. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), SAIC/MG sold 78,505 vehicles in the first quarter of 2025 across the EU, UK, and EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). That figure outpaced major brands like Fiat (77,704), SEAT (57,363), Tesla (54,020), Suzuki (49,631), Mazda (43,918), Jeep (37,895), Honda (21,075), and Mitsubishi (12,536).
MG is planning to build a factory in Europe to assemble cars on the Old Continent and avoid the EU’s steep tariffs on China-made vehicles. An announcement regarding the site’s location is expected to be made this summer, with an annual production capacity of approximately 100,000 units. The company is already considering a second plant, suggesting that SAIC is ready to take on European brands on their home turf. In the meantime, MG’s EVs made in China and sold in the EU are hit with a massive 45.3-percent tariff.
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