Reliable, lifestyle MG cars enter the Iloilo market
It is an exciting time indeed for the motoring industry as MG (Morris Garages) cars are now more accessible to Filipinos, including Ilonggos because of their presence in Iloilo City.
The Covenant Car Company (exclusive distributor of MG Philippines) and Grandcars, Inc., (exclusive dealer in Western Visayas), opened the MG Motors showroom at SM City Iloilo last March 8 as well as held a groundbreaking activity at their flagship - another showroom and service center - at Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City which is set to open in May 2019. (Watch the video)
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| Latest models from Morris Garages: MG RX5, MG 6 and MG ZS models |
The Covenant Car Company (exclusive distributor of MG Philippines) and Grandcars, Inc., (exclusive dealer in Western Visayas), opened the MG Motors showroom at SM City Iloilo last March 8 as well as held a groundbreaking activity at their flagship - another showroom and service center - at Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City which is set to open in May 2019. (Watch the video)
Why the fuss about MG cars you may say? They are modern, quality automobiles with a rich British heritage and which are very reliable despite the fact that their prices are P300,000 lower than their counterparts. This was revealed by Jan Andrew Po, president of Grandcars, Inc.
MG car owners are also assured of “a worry-free product, backed by reliable aftermarket services as well as owning a car that represents freedom, style, individuality, creativity, innovation, youthful energy, and the lifestyle that comes with these concepts,” according to their press release.
In fact, they have sold 25 units since their opening in January 2019 and as of their formal launching date, three more were released, Po said.
MG car owners are also assured of “a worry-free product, backed by reliable aftermarket services as well as owning a car that represents freedom, style, individuality, creativity, innovation, youthful energy, and the lifestyle that comes with these concepts,” according to their press release.
In fact, they have sold 25 units since their opening in January 2019 and as of their formal launching date, three more were released, Po said.
MG Philippines is still a new player in the country’s motoring scene (introduced in 2018) thus they are not yet able to provide information with regards to their market share. However, Atty. Robert Arcilla, president and CEO of The Covenant Car Company said that their goal is to capture 20% of every segment of the market. He said that 200 units a month are being purchased in the Philippines alone. He added that MG cars are big in Latin America and the Middle East. They will also open in Europe where it all started.
In 1902, he bought a building in Longwall Street from where he repaired bicycles, motorcycles, and cars as well as operated a taxi service.
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| Modern, comfortable and spacious cabin |
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| Push start/stop button |
HISTORY
Morris Garages roots are traced in Great Britain wherein 16-year-old William R. Morris, who left his job as a local bicycle seller and repairer, set up his own business at his parents’ house. He assembled and repaired bicycles. In 1901, he started to work with motorcycles.In 1902, he bought a building in Longwall Street from where he repaired bicycles, motorcycles, and cars as well as operated a taxi service.
Named Morris Garage, his business continued to grow. In 1910, he designed and built the Morris Oxford “Bullnose” car with the use of bought-in components. Two years later, he sold 400 units of this car.
It was when the business was re-named as Morris Motors Limited that he hired Cecil Kimber who helped boost their sales by producing sporty automobiles called “MG” that bore the octagonal logo that we know at present.
* Embodies class, power, and functionality
* Understated yet refined exterior
* Modern, comfortable and spacious cabin
* Versatile driving dynamics
* 1.5 Turbo engine that produces 169 PS and 250 Nm
* 8-inch LCD infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay
* Push start/stop button
* Multi-function steering wheel
* Reverse camera for safety and comfort
* Soft suspension and 18-inch wheels provide comfort
* Variants: MG RX5 Core (traditional drivers) MG RX5 At Style (for those who want more comfort)
* Colors: ruby red, pearl black, and elegant white
* Sporty and responsive at the wheels and on the pedals
* Elegant interior loaded with features only present in luxury models
* 1.5 Turbo engine that produces 162 PS and 250 Nm
* 8-inch LCD infotainment system with Apple CarPlay
* Push start/stop button
* Multi-function steering wheel
* Paddle shifters for a more sporty experience
* Reverse camera
* Comfort and style of a sedan, functionality of an SUV
* 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine
* 8-inch LCD infotainment unit equipped with Apple CarPlay
* Push start/stop button
* Multi-function steering wheel
* A host of driving aids such as reverse camera, Antilock Brake System, Cornering Brake Control, Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Distribution, and Hill Start Assist
* A huge panoramic Stargazer sunroof
* Variants: MG ZS Style, MG ZS AT and MG ZS Alpha AT
* Colors: Extreme speed red, moon white, meteorite black, electro-optic orange, and laser blue
"Good car. Very smooth driving, good power, and speed. Fuel-efficient car. A head-turned on the road."
- Ivanir Franc
"A good quality car at a very reasonable price. User-friendly especially for first-time drivers. So far, good working condition and had met our expectations."
- Princess Espenitra
"Good fuel consumption, head turner on road, smooth running condition and less maintenance."
- JR G. Sabordo
It was when the business was re-named as Morris Motors Limited that he hired Cecil Kimber who helped boost their sales by producing sporty automobiles called “MG” that bore the octagonal logo that we know at present.
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| Multi-function steering wheel |
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| The huge panoramic Stargazer sunroof of the MG ZS |
MG MODELS
For now, the MG Motors Iloilo showroom is offering three models but promises to roll out more models in the coming months. These three are:MG RX5
A smart, stylish and sophisticated compact 5-seater SUV* Embodies class, power, and functionality
* Understated yet refined exterior
* Modern, comfortable and spacious cabin
* Versatile driving dynamics
* 1.5 Turbo engine that produces 169 PS and 250 Nm
* 8-inch LCD infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay
* Push start/stop button
* Multi-function steering wheel
* Reverse camera for safety and comfort
* Soft suspension and 18-inch wheels provide comfort
* Variants: MG RX5 Core (traditional drivers) MG RX5 At Style (for those who want more comfort)
* Colors: ruby red, pearl black, and elegant white
MG 6
* Fastback sedan* Sporty and responsive at the wheels and on the pedals
* Elegant interior loaded with features only present in luxury models
* 1.5 Turbo engine that produces 162 PS and 250 Nm
* 8-inch LCD infotainment system with Apple CarPlay
* Push start/stop button
* Multi-function steering wheel
* Paddle shifters for a more sporty experience
* Reverse camera
MG ZS
* A true heavyweight in the crossover segment* Comfort and style of a sedan, functionality of an SUV
* 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine
* 8-inch LCD infotainment unit equipped with Apple CarPlay
* Push start/stop button
* Multi-function steering wheel
* A host of driving aids such as reverse camera, Antilock Brake System, Cornering Brake Control, Electronic Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Distribution, and Hill Start Assist
* A huge panoramic Stargazer sunroof
* Variants: MG ZS Style, MG ZS AT and MG ZS Alpha AT
* Colors: Extreme speed red, moon white, meteorite black, electro-optic orange, and laser blue
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| 1.5 Turbo engine that produces 162 PS and 250 Nm |
MG CARS REVIEWS
Below are some of the things that MG car owners said:"Good car. Very smooth driving, good power, and speed. Fuel-efficient car. A head-turned on the road."
- Ivanir Franc
"A good quality car at a very reasonable price. User-friendly especially for first-time drivers. So far, good working condition and had met our expectations."
- Princess Espenitra
"Good fuel consumption, head turner on road, smooth running condition and less maintenance."
- JR G. Sabordo
Tagged as an automobile for millennials, an MG car promises its owners affordability, safety, comfort, style, and happy road trips. By choosing MG, a person makes a bold statement about owning a car with almost a century of history and rich heritage behind it./
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| Executives from TCCCI and Grandcars, Inc. as well as Iloilo City officials pose after the groundbreaking of Morris Garages in Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City. From left: Engr. Divina Soria VP Corp, Building & Administrative Services TCCI; CJ Evangelista, sales consultant MG Iloilo; Haycia Kamil Olivar, sales consultant MG Iloilo; Love Baronda, councilor, Iloilo City; Jeffrey Ganzon, vice mayor, Iloilo City; Jan Andrew T. Po, president of Grandcars Inc.; Peter U. Po, chairman of Grandcars Inc.; Caroline T. Po, comptroller of Grandcars Inc.; Atty. Albert Arcilla, president and CEO of TCCCI; Rose Demalanata, senior vice president and director of National Aftersales TCCCI, Alex Liu, chief representative of Business and Development of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited; Lorenzo F. Aguilar II, vice president for operations of Grandcars Inc.; Louie Canonigo, sales consultant of MG Iloilo; Architect Jonathan San Miguel, assistant vice president of Building and Administrative Services TCCCI; and Ira Gabriel Valte, field sales manager of National Sales Services TCCCI |
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| Jan Andrew Po, president of Grandcars, Inc. and Atty. Robert Arcilla, president and CEO of The Covenant Car Company during the presscon, March 8, 2019 |
