MG Motor PH to launch a PHEV this 2026, but what could it be?

MG Motor Philippines had one heck of a 2025 after they were able to sell a total of 8,715 units. While it's slightly lower than what they achieved in 2024 (9,016 cars sold), the automaker landed the top-ten spot in the Philippine automotive market in terms of sales.

With its best-selling models like the all-new ZS, the MG5, and the G50 MPV, MG Motor Philippines is poised to increase its sales further this year with new and electrified models. In fact, the automaker plans to launch a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) later this year.

The automaker did not elaborate on the mystery PHEV they plan to launch in 2026. However, we already have a good idea of what to expect. While we initially thought it might be the MG HS PHEV (which they previewed back at PIMS 2024), the automaker already launched MG HS Hybrid+, which is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) that combines a 1.5L turbo engine that's assisted by an electric motor and a 1.83 kWh battery.

It wouldn't make sense for MG Motor Philippines to bring a plug-in hybrid version of the HS since they already have a self-charging hybrid on offer in the country. So what's the other possible PHEV MG could launch in the Philippines?

Based on the brand's lineup and recent launches, it looks like the G50 PHEV is the likeliest candidate the automaker could bring into the country. Revealed last year in its home market, the MG/Maxus G50 PHEV has a 1.5L plug-in hybrid powertrain that's assisted by an electric motor and an 18.65 kWh battery pack. It puts out a combined 217 PS with 280 Nm of torque and is capable of traveling up to 85 km on electric power, based on the CLTC cycle.

With a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas, the brand claims the G50 PHEV can travel more than 1,400 km, based on the CLTC cycle.

After doing more research, we found out that SAIC Motor Philippines Inc. (AKA MG Motor Philippines) has already received regulatory approval for an upcoming passenger vehicle that has a 1496cc gasoline engine, along with a reference weight of 2260 kg. Cross-checking the numbers with what the PRC gets, and it looks like we won't have to wait too long for the official launch.

With 7-seater MPVs also growing popular in the country, MG could disrupt the market with the first compact MPV that's powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Since the market is already familiar with the G50 MPV, having a PHEV variant could increase sales for MG Motor Philippines.

Can we expect MG Motor Philippines to launch its new PHEV at this year's Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) or at the 2026 Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS)?