MG targets Kia, Skoda with new S5 compact electric SUV
China's MG brand is targeting the latest full-electric compact SUVs such as the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq with the spring launch of the S5.
The S5 is the European version of the China market ES5, and replaces the MG ZS small electric SUV. However, its larger size moves it into the class above.
The SAIC-owned company teased the model with darkened photographs showing the rear LED light cluster on March 3.
Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Interview of the Month newsletter delivering exclusive interviews with top auto executives.
The new model is built on the same modular scalable platform (MSP) rear-wheel-drive platform as the MG4 compact, which is currently MG's bestselling EV in Europe with 51,861 sales last year, according to market analyst Dataforce.
Even with sales falling 28 percent compared with 2023, the MG4 was still the second-best selling compact EV after the VW ID3.
MG is off to a strong start this year. Overall sales in Europe were up 17 percent in January to 19,423, according to figures from Dataforce, making it the top-selling Chinese brand in Europe with a 50 percent share.
Sales at MG's main rival, BYD, increased by 175 percent to 6,930.
The new S5 will maintain MG's 'competitive' price position, according to a statement from the brand's U.K. arm. MG did not announce pricing on March 3, but Britain has not imposed the same same additional tariffs on China-built EVs as markets in the European Union. In France, the MG4 starts at €24,990.
The Chinese-market ES5 is 4476 mm long and offers two sizes of batteries, either 49 or 62 kilowatt-hours. Both use less-expensive lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. The MG4 also offers a longer range 77-kWh battery with nickel magnesium cobalt (NMC) chemistry.
The longer-range ES5 model is rated at 515 km (320 miles) on China's CLTC measuring system, which tends to report longer ranges than Europe's WLTP measurements.
A a more high-tech version with the 62-kWh pack increases the range by 10 km with the addition of an active air intake grille. MG says the model range has 'ultra-low wind resistance,' claiming a drag coefficient of 0.28.
Inside, the ES5 has a 15.6-inch central touch screen with a smaller screen giving driver information. Available equipment includes a suite of advanced driver assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, as well as an electric tailgate.
MG in Europe promised that the S5 would have 'advanced and premium features unique to this model,' without going into detail.
MG said the car will come with generous interior space, focused on passenger comfort. The trunk measures 462 liters, in line with the 470 litres for the Skoda Elroq and 460 for the Kia EV3.
The Kia EV3 was the second-bestselling compact electric SUV after the larger VW ID4 in January, with 5,863 registrations, according to Dataforce. Other key competitors at the smaller end of the compact segment are Chinese rivals the BYD Atto 3 — the segment's best-seller in 2023 — and the Chery Omoda 5.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hypebeast
4 hours ago
- Hypebeast
MG Motor's Latest ZS SUV Model Arrives in the Middle East
MG Motorannounces the regional launch of its all-new ZS SUV model, bringing its latest developments in design and tech to theMiddle East. Having cut through the noise of the car market with its previous ZS generations, the latest arrival continues to build on the range's success by delivering a practical combination of space and enhanced performance. From the outside, the signature sculpted shape, hunter-eye style LED headlights, and 18-inch alloy wheels are maintained, while the addition of a spoiler gives the model a new sporty quality. With inner-city driving becoming a growing factor for those in the region, theSUVoffers a 1.5-liter engine with two powertrain options, including a 112 horsepower and 168 horsepower variant. Both of these options come with three drive modes that allow the car to adapt from tight city streets to open highways. Keeping safety at the forefront of the design approach, the brand updates the ZS with forward collision warning and speed assist as well as a 360° camera that shares visuals on a built-in infotainment system. Inside, the driving experience is complete with a jet wing-inspired console, panoramic sunroof, and a mix of premium woven and leather fabrics. In an official statement, Tom Lee, Managing Director of MG Motor shared, 'The new MG ZS delivers exactly what today's drivers seek—style, capability, and outstanding value. This latest generation reflects MG's commitment to innovation, not only through upgraded technology but also as part of our broader vision to integrate new EV technologies into our global lineup. We are excited to bring this model to our customers across the region, offering a dynamic and future-ready driving experience.' Take a closer look at the latest MG ZS in the gallery above. To find out more, head to MG Motor'swebsitenow.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
VW's troubled Cariad software unit has turned the corner, CEO Peter Bosch says
BERLIN — Volkswagen Group's troubled software division, Cariad, has put its problems behind it, CEO Peter Bosch told Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche. Bosch said the unit has entered a new phase of delivery and focus, marked by a string of key software launches and a break from past missteps. 'When you take on a task that everyone knows is difficult, you don't do it expecting constant applause,' Bosch said. 'But we delivered. The cars are here, costs have been significantly reduced, and we have broken new technological ground.' Cariad was launched in 2020 with ambitions to become the 'second SAP,' a multinational German software company, but it soon became a symbol of delay and dysfunction within VW Group. VW Group CEO Oliver Blume moved Bosch from his job as production chief at Bentley to Cariad, tasking him with fixing the division that was hit by overspending and delays in developing advanced software. Cariad's problems delayed the launches of Porsche's full-electric Macan and the Audi Q6 E-tron. A new software platform intended to enable Level 4 autonomous driving was pushed back to the end of the decade. Sign up for the Automotive News Europe Segment Analysis newsletter, a monthly in-depth look at a segment of the car market, including sales and market share data When Bosch arrived in summer 2023 from Bentley, Cariad's reputation was in tatters. Since then, Bosch, a former Oliver Wyman consultant, has led a broad reorganization. He realigned development processes with the group's brand structure, slashed costs and pushed for tighter control of code. His actions include ending over-reliance on external system suppliers. Bosch said the traditional outsourcing model does not work for modern automotive software. 'In software, with its fast development cycles, we have to work directly on the code,' he said. 'Our employees know, write, understand, and change the code — even via over-the-air updates.' VW's long-term goal is a fully software-defined vehicle architecture with centralized computing and proprietary code. 'We now do a lot ourselves, faster and more cost-effectively,' Bosch said. 'We must master the code.' Cariad contributed software to 14 models released in 2024. Bosch said that in April, nine of the 10 top-selling electric vehicles in Germany were VW Group models equipped with Cariad software. The company has overhauled its workforce structure, introduced agile delivery units and reduced management layers. Artificial intelligence tools were deployed throughout development, and insourcing has replaced expensive outsourcing in many areas. But Bosch is careful not to frame the turnaround as complete. 'Our current architectures are competitive, but they are still based on a supplier model,' he said. For the development of highly automated driving systems, Cariad is working with supplier Robert Bosch as a development partner. It is also working with VW Group's joint venture partner, EV startup Rivian, and VW's Carizon joint venture in China with Horizon Robotics. Also in China, Cariad is developing the Volkswagen China Technology Co. with domestic automaker Xpeng. 'Here, we have acquired a software license from Xpeng for the Chinese architecture, or CEA for short, but are now responsible for the code ourselves — with more than 10 million lines so far,' Bosch said. More than 500 Cariad employees in China are writing code tailored to local driving conditions and regulatory expectations. 'They know the culture and requirements inside out,' Bosch said. In North America and Europe, while some Cariad engineers have transferred to the joint venture with Rivian, Bosch said it's mainly staffed by Rivian personnel. 'The joint venture was founded by Rivian and the Volkswagen Group, not by Rivian and Cariad,' he said. Cariad now focuses on crossfunctional technologies such as cloud infrastructure, advanced driver-assist systems and infotainment, which Bosch said makes more sense for innovation and cost control. 'We are now significantly cheaper per vehicle in the cloud than the competition,' he said. The localization push extends beyond software: In China, development, design and production must all be local to meet consumer expectations and regulatory demands. 'The one-size-fits-all approach no longer works,' Bosch said. In Shanghai, for example, Cariad's advanced driver-assist system stack was tuned to maintain proximity to other vehicles in ways tailored to dense urban traffic. Despite those adaptations, Cariad remains focused on software sovereignty. 'It is important to us that we write the code ourselves and retain technological control,' Bosch said. As VW Group pursues modern, centralized architectures, Bosch said he envisions shorter development cycles and greater flexibility. 'This allows many systems to be networked more efficiently,' he said. 'We can bring functions into the car even faster, including some we don't even know about when we start development.' Cariad's evolution is occurring as legacy automakers, VW Group included, struggle with declining profits and sales, the threat of tariffs from the U.S., and Chinese automakers that continue to eat into market share in Europe and in China. In March, VW announced 1,600 Cariad workers would be laid off this year. Bosch said transformation requires restructuring and while roles such as creating specifications may be eliminated, more coders will be needed to replace them. Bosch said Cariad's central task is to ensure the software success of the entire company by creating economically viable solutions that benefit the group. Cariad's benchmark is the big picture — contributing to the software expertise and innovative strength of VW Group. 'We have financial goals — and we achieved them last year,' he said. 'The more vehicles on the road with Cariad software, the more revenue we generate.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Upturn
02-06-2025
- Business Upturn
ImmunAbs Announces FDA Phase 2 IND Approval of IM-101, a Novel Complement C5 Inhibitor, for Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis
By Business Wire Published on June 2, 2025, 17:07 IST Seoul, South Korea: ImmunAbs Inc., a clinical-stage biotech specializing in developing antibody therapeutics, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application to initiate a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of IM-101, a novel complement C5 inhibitor, for the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis. The forthcoming multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will enroll up to 90 patients to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of monthly IM-101 dosing in relieving complement-induced symptoms in MG. 'This IND approval is pivotal for us as it brings us one step closer to delivering a transformative therapy for patients with autoimmune disorders', said Dr. Dongjo Kim, the CEO of ImmunAbs, 'we believe IM-101 has the potential to deliver deeper therapeutic responses and more durable remissions in patients who have failed to achieve sustained remission with current approved treatment.' About Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is a rare neurological disorder that severely impairs muscle movement and can lead to life-threatening complications. While existing C5 inhibitors have contributed to improved remission rates, many patients still experience residual disease activity due to incomplete complement inhibition. In addition to autoantibody-mediated activation of the classical complement pathway, MG pathogenesis is also significantly influenced by activation of the alternative pathway. ImmunAbs believes that comprehensive inhibition of both the classical and alternative pathways is essential for minimizing residual complement activity and enabling revolutionary treatments for MG. About IM-101 IM-101 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting complement C5 with high affinity. In the recently concluded Phase 1 clinical trial, IM-101 demonstrated an excellent safety profile and was well tolerated at all tested doses, with no dose-limiting toxicity or severe adverse events observed. The clinical results showcasing IM-101's outstanding ability to reduce serum free C5 concentrations in healthy volunteers provide strong evidence of its superior efficacy in complement inhibition. About ImmunAbs ImmunAbs is a clinical-stage biotechnology company established in 2017. Committed to delivering transformative treatments globally, the company aims to develop novel antibody therapeutics, particularly concentrating its efforts on the lead program targeting severe autoimmune diseases. Supported by equity funding and national grants from KDDF, which covered development from non-clinical through Phase 1 clinical studies, ImmunAbs is now seeking global partnerships to accelerate the advancement of IM-101 towards market availability. View source version on Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Business Wire is an American company that disseminates full-text press releases from thousands of companies and organizations worldwide to news media, financial markets, disclosure systems, investors, information web sites, databases, bloggers, social networks and other audiences.
