JSW MG to launch four models in 2026, to invest between ₹3k cr-₹4k cr: MD | Auto
JSW MG Motor India will launch four new models this year and plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 4,000 crore in the country over the next few years.
New models include a plug-in hybrid, electric vehicle, Majestor SUV and a yet-to-be-announced additional model.
“The intention will be to look at all financing options. I have never seen two shareholders (JSW and SAIC) interacting this deeply. They are talking with extraordinary frequency and this allows for faster decision-making,” JSW MG Motor India managing director Anurag Mehrotra said at a media roundtable.
The company unveiled the MG Majestor, positioned as a D+ SUV, on February 12 after exhibiting it for the first time at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. Pre-bookings for the 4×4 SUV are open and prices will be announced closer to the launch in April. Majestor will compete with cars like Toyota Fortuner, Jeep Meridian, Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan X-Trail in India.
On India-China business relations, Mehrotra said the situation has improved compared to a few years ago. He pointed out that visas and flights will be easier to navigate and more business participation.
He said there has been a noticeable increase in TLAs (technical license agreements), especially between Indian and Chinese auto parts manufacturers. These agreements allow Indian suppliers to access and use technology developed by foreign partners.
JSW MG Motor India is structured as a joint venture between India’s JSW Group and China’s SAIC Motor. SAIC owns 49 percent of the company and JSW Group owns 35 percent. The remaining 16 per cent share is held by Indian stakeholders, including 8 per cent financial institutions, 3 per cent dealers and 5 per cent employees.
On concerns about technology transfer from SAIC, Mehrotra said risk is inherent in the business but needs to be managed. “There is risk when crossing the road, but does that stop you from crossing the road?” he said and argued that companies cannot completely avoid risk.
He added that deeper localization reduces exposure to global disruptions, whether in supply chains or transportation. He pointed to variable sea freight rates as an example. Container shipping costs rose to about $2,400 at one point last year, then dropped to about $700 and have since climbed to roughly $1,500. He said such fluctuations underscore why companies need stronger local supply chains.
On electric vehicles, Mehrotra admitted that EV penetration had decreased after the GST rationalization in September last year made petrol and diesel vehicles relatively cheaper.
But the long-term economics of EV ownership remain strong, he said. Buyers save significantly on fuel and operating costs decrease over time.
He also challenged the perception that EV demand is limited to metros. Adoption is also visible in Tier-II and Tier-III towns, with some smaller markets reporting EV penetration levels above the national average, he said.
While the recent tax changes may have a short-term impact, a wave of new EV and hybrid launches among manufacturers should support the recovery, he said. More product options will bring more consumers to the segment over time, he added.
