New Delhi: JSW MG Motor India has just shown its new flagship SUV, the Majestor, and plans to introduce six new models soon. One of the most important
additions will be a plug-in hybrid. Speaking to Autocar India during the Majestor launch event, Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director of JSW MG Motor India Pvt. Ltd, confirmed that a plug-in hybrid will arrive this year.
This is significant because plug-in hybrids are not common in the mass market in India. At present, such technology is mostly seen in expensive luxury vehicles like the BMW XM and the Lamborghini Urus SE. If MG launches a plug-in hybrid at a more accessible price point, it would be the first of its kind from a mainstream manufacturer in the country.
Plug-in hybrid and EV push
Since JSW and MG Motor joined hands, the company has repeatedly said it wants to lead in new energy vehicles (NEVs), which include electric and electrified models. Right now, MG is placed second in electric car sales in India. The Windsor EV was the country’s bestselling electric car last year, giving the brand a strong position in the EV space.
Electric vehicle sales slowed slightly after the recent GST cut, and EVs currently account for around four to five percent of total car sales. However, Mehrotra believes this share will increase as more products are launched. He expects EV penetration to reach about six to seven percent in 2026. “The new energy unlock is not a demand side issue, it is a supply side issue. More products that come to the market, more brands that come into the market, more segments that open up will [all] bring more consumers,” said Mehrotra. He added that new models from the brand this year would be “an EV and a plug-in hybrid”.
Focused segment strategy
MG says its future launches will follow the same strategy that helped the Windsor EV succeed. Mehrotra explained that the product planning team identified a price gap between Rs 13 lakh and Rs 18 lakh and developed the Windsor to fit that space. The company says it will not enter every segment but will focus only on areas where it sees clear opportunity.
With support from its Chinese partner SAIC, MG has access to a wide range of vehicle platforms. However, it plans to be selective about which segments it enters. The company expects that about 75 to 80 percent of its total sales will continue to come from new energy vehicles, while some internal combustion engine models will remain in the lineup.
