Not the best launch for a brand new car. Does not inspire confidence

[wandle MG4 trophy]

I do not doubt the complexities of launching a new car but the MG4 launch seems very uncoordinated.

ideally you would have the following available at the same time as the press launch:
Demonstrators and display cars in place and ready for test drive booking
Clarification to all dealers on what their initial allocation would be (exact variant and colour etc)
Dealer training to have already been done
Brochure on website
Service plans and accessories on website
Handbook available for download
The sign up for updates on the MG website to actually work (I am getting general info from MG via their Twitter feed).

Instead we have a drip feed of info, misinfo and rumour, exacerbated by differing specifications for European models Plus of course endless questions about heat pumps, rain sensing wipers and charging cables etc (don’t answer these - they are all answered elsewhere).

it really does not inspire me with any confidence. Were it not such a good buy (on paper at least), I would have cancelled my order.

 

[Whiskey Foxtrot]

All good points, well made too.

I'm just going to sit back and let the car do the talking ?

 

[duncerduncs]

It does seem that SAIC UK aren't able to handle the number of arrivals that they've had recently.

It looks like, to me, that they've prioritised ZS and MG5 orders ahead of the MG4 launch - whether you believe that to be right or wrong depends on which model you are waiting for!

If SAIC want to grow the MG brand, they will need to invest in the infrastructure needed to get cars from boat to customer as easily as possible.

EDIT: if you want a really bad example of a bad model launch, look no further than the Toyota bZ4X! Customers cars have been at Derby since June with no information on the global recall given to either customers or dealers! Dealers have demo cars that can't be driven on the road and can't take orders from new customers....

That's how to fudge up a model launch!!

 

[Tristan Collins]

But a thousand times better than the Ora Cat launch. I simply don't think MG UK have the capacity to deliver a coordinated launch and get very little info from SAIC. This isn't new though, if you are looking for a coordinated launch and confidence, probably better to look at a different brand.

 

[ukflyer]

I do not doubt the complexities of launching a new car but the MG4 launch seems very uncoordinated.

ideally you would have the following available at the same time as the press launch:
Demonstrators and display cars in place and ready for test drive booking
Clarification to all dealers on what their initial allocation would be (exact variant and colour etc)
Dealer training to have already been done
Brochure on website
Service plans and accessories on website
Handbook available for download
The sign up for updates on the MG website to actually work (I am getting general info from MG via their Twitter feed).

Instead we have a drip feed of info, misinfo and rumour, exacerbated by differing specifications for European models Plus of course endless questions about heat pumps, rain sensing wipers and charging cables etc (don’t answer these - they are all answered elsewhere).

it really does not inspire me with any confidence. Were it not such a good buy (on paper at least), I would have cancelled my order.

I totally agree with you on all points, however, as an example, my favourite restaurant looks like a greasy spoon cafe. with poor decor, tables and chairs. They do not have an alcohol licence (but you can take your own beer/wine in with you), and yet the food is the most fresh and delicious, that you could possibly wish for.

In a similar vein, I am hoping the MG4 Trophy manages to outshine all of the launch shortcomings..

 

[JimB]

I totally agree with you on all points, however, as an example, my favourite restaurant looks like a greasy spoon cafe. with poor decor, tables and chairs. They do not have an alcohol licence (but you can take your own beer/wine in with you), and yet the food is the most fresh and delicious, that you could possibly wish for.

In a similar vein, I am hoping the MG4 Trophy manages to outshine all of the launch shortcomings..

Never mind the flippin' car!

Where's this restaurant?

Got £99 to blow! ?

 

[KaloyanP]

I have placed an order with MG Leeds and sales man told me that after 25 September a demonstration car will be available for test drive and if I am lucky with the trim and the colour I have chosen I might be getting one In October. I do not know if all that was to make me place an order but it is what it is.

 

[KaloyanP]

I totally agree with you on all points, however, as an example, my favourite restaurant looks like a greasy spoon cafe. with poor decor, tables and chairs. They do not have an alcohol licence (but you can take your own beer/wine in with you), and yet the food is the most fresh and delicious, that you could possibly wish for.

In a similar vein, I am hoping the MG4 Trophy manages to outshine all of the launch shortcomings..

I have no doubts that MG4 will be good car, better than MG5 and ZS, and it is going be worth waiting for it. In fact I cannot wait to test drive it.

 

[Whiskey Foxtrot]

1.Wasn't that many years ago that Toyota man came on stage apologising for building utterly crap cars, thought they'd moved on?

2. Sure there used to be a Greek restaurant in Southampton called Solo's? Not much to look at but made a moussaka that would melt in the mouth. You even got to smash your plate as long as you'd taken your own.

3. Quick call to dealer this morning. Just wanted to touch base and all that. Seemed a bit dejected but didn't take the bait I cast fishing for information. Put the phone down thinking they're as frustrated as we are.

 

[JimB]

I have no doubts that MG4 will be good car, better than MG5 and ZS, and it is going be worth waiting for it. In fact I cannot wait to test drive it.

You're behind me in Luscombe's queue Kaloyan, a very nice young salesman there told me so when he trousered my £99, think his name was Sam ?

 

[JimB]

But a thousand times better than the Ora Cat launch. I simply don't think MG UK have the capacity to deliver a coordinated launch and get very little info from SAIC. This isn't new though, if you are looking for a coordinated launch and confidence, probably better to look at a different brand.

Do you think that when the Cat launches it might just land on it's feet?

I apologise for all of my flippant comments, but MG UK started it! ?

 

[duncerduncs]

Do you think that when the Cat launches it might just land on it's feet?

I apologise for all of my flippant comments, but MG UK started it! ?

You should see the Cats' party trick....

It can lick its own battery pack ?

 

[KaloyanP]

You're behind me in Luscombe's queue Kaloyan, a very nice young salesman there told me so when he trousered my £99, think his name was Sam ?

I spoke with James 2 weeks ago when I paid 99£ for trophy in dynamic red

 

[JimB]

I spoke with James 2 weeks ago when I paid 99£ for trophy in dynamic red

I'm just kidding about that conversation although I think I spoke with James a couple of weeks ago.
I've exchanged emails with Sam since my deposit was paid.
I've given up holding my breath for early news of a Grey Trophy.
I think the extended range will hove into view before that arrives and that will put another spanner in my decision making spokes.

 

[KaloyanP]

I'm just kidding about that conversation although I think I spoke with James a couple of weeks ago.
I've exchanged emails with Sam since my deposit was paid.
I've given up holding my breath for early news of a Grey Trophy.
I think the extended range will hove into view before that arrives and that will put another spanner in my decision making spokes.

Are you talking about 77 kWh battery version? I would rather have 64 KWh with heat pump. In my personal opinion I think 64 KWh battery is more than enough considering 135 kWh charging speed. I went on a Euro trip this summer from Doncaster to Bulgaria with Kia 64 KWh and it was flawless, easy 250 to 300 km between charging stops. But this is me, if the bigger battery suits you better, fair enough.

 

[meangreen]

EDIT: if you want a really bad example of a bad model launch, look no further than the Toyota bZ4X! Customers cars have been at Derby since June with no information on the global recall given to either customers or dealers! Dealers have demo cars that can't be driven on the road and can't take orders from new customers....

That's how to fudge up a model launch!!

To be fair to Toyota though back in early June they sent out emails to interested parties to test drive with a booking button. A day later the local dealer called me and said they had the car to test drive and it was going through PDI. 3 days later I'd test driven and put down a refundable £100 deposit. Car was built quickly and may have been delivered in August.

Wheels falling off has stopped this and comms has been pretty much nil from Toyota, but what are they going to say. Comms form dealer has been good.

MG however told everyone about a new model, slightly later said the price. Told everyone they'd have 1000 for Delivery in September and another thousand before xmas. Punters get excited, dealers accepts deposits without actually knowing what they're getting, without full spec sheets and without the cars to test drive. Dealers put in their orders but MG just send them random spec cars.

Toyota was a way better experience so far!

 

[JimB]

Are you talking about 77 kWh battery version? I would rather have 64 KWh with heat pump. In my personal opinion I think 64 KWh battery is more than enough considering 135 kWh charging speed. I went on a Euro trip this summer from Doncaster to Bulgaria with Kia 64 KWh and it was flawless, easy 250 to 300 km between charging stops. But this is me, if the bigger battery suits you better, fair enough.

Unfortunately no heat pumps on UK models, so far.

 

[ukflyer]

Never mind the flippin' car!

Where's this restaurant?

Got £99 to blow! ?

Hahaha! It’s in Crawley.

 

[KaloyanP]

Unfortunately no heat pumps on UK models, so far.

No, unfortunately

 

[SueH]

3. Quick call to dealer this morning. Just wanted to touch base and all that. Seemed a bit dejected but didn't take the bait I cast fishing for information. Put the phone down thinking they're as frustrated as we are.

I sent a quick email with a quick reply. They haven't any yet but.. " Sit tight, you will be sure to find out as soon as I do!"

PS: was Solos the Greek restaurant in East St. near Debenhams?