IM Motors launches in the UK as a Luxury arm of MG
MG just unveiled a new badge and brand identity, along with two new cars for the UK market. The two new cars are the IM5, a sleek and stylish EV saloon designed to take on the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, and the IM6, a taller SUV version of the same platform, targeting the Tesla Model Y. The new brand identity for the two new cars is called 'IM', an acronym of 'Intelligence in Motoring'.
Read our review of the new IM5 and IM6 here: https://driven.site/words/review-mg-im5-and-im6
Despite what the badge says, the new cars are MGs (honest)...
What makes the new cars a little confusing is the logo badges on the bonnet, boot, and wheel centres, none of which feature the letters 'M' or 'G'. In place of the iconic octagon and MG lettering is a logo with two dots and two dashes, which, if you squint, resembles the letters 'I' and 'M' - well, it's supposed to, anyway.
Which brands does SAIC Motor Own?
SAIC Motor is a state-owned Chinese automotive group that owns a series of car and truck brands, including Roewe, Hongyan, Sunwin, Maxus, Rising Auto and, as of 2007, the British brand MG. SAIC also has links to other international car makers through joint manufacturing ventures, including VW and GM.
In China, IM exists as an independent brand with dedicated showrooms that offer cars with the very best in technology, luxury, and innovation.
IM in the UK
In the UK, along with an initial handful of other European countries, SAIC has adopted a different approach for introducing IM to the market. Rather than attempting to launch a whole new brand in the UK market, SAIC has decided to piggyback IM onto the already successful MG brand and will offer the latest models for sale from MG showrooms.
A 'Technology Showcase'
MG's head of Product and Planning, David Allison, described the new IM lineup in MG showrooms as a 'Technology Showcase'. 'These cars will be more luxurious and technologically advanced models which sit above the existing MG models, such as the already very popular MG 4 and new MG S5 SUV, but below the halo car at the top of the range of vehicles on offer, which is still the MG Cyberster'.
IM L7 - By Alexander-93 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=145851834
Which other IM models might we see in the UK?
Initially, only the IM5 and IM6 will be offered in the UK as options for buyers; however, additional models are likely to be introduced to the UK market over the next 12-24 months. An existing model on offer in China is the IM L7, a luxury limousine designed to compete with the likes of the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes S-Class. No dates have been specified for when UK showrooms are likely to see other IM products offered.
words by John Marcar
Photographs courtesy of IM Motor and MG UK
