MG Brand Debuts Pickup Truck in Thailand

SAIC Motor Corp. has launched a pickup truck in Thailand under its British MG brand.

The MG Extender will compete with strongly entrenched models from Isuzu, Mitsubishi Motors and Toyota, which control 75% of the Thai market. SAIC plans to offer its pickup at a starting price of 549,000 baht ($17,900).

SAIC, which took control of MG in 2007, used the brand to break into the Thai market in 2013. The company sold 200 MG-brand cars in Thailand that year. Last year its sales topped 23,700 units, outselling General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet brand.

Pickup trucks account for more than 40% of Thailand’s passenger vehicle market. SAIC describes the MG Extender as a pickup designed to customers for both business and personal use.