After several years of rapid growth, MG Motor Australia enters 2026 facing a more challenging landscape. New-vehicle sales declined by 18.4 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, despite the launch of five new models during the year.
For fleet buyers and novated leasing providers, the slowdown has not gone unnoticed — particularly given comments made to Fleet News Group during 2025 that the fleet segment was not a priority for the brand. With more than half of new vehicles in Australia typically sold through fleet and business channels, the question many in the industry are now asking is whether MG’s retail-first focus came at a cost.
Against that backdrop, parent company SAIC Motor International has announced a significant leadership reshuffle across Australia and New Zealand, a move that may signal a reassessment of strategy.
New CEO and strengthened local leadership
SAIC Motor International has appointed Qing Zhang as Chief Executive Officer for Australia and New Zealand, in addition to his current role as Vice President at SAIC Motor International. The position encompasses leadership of SAIC’s ANZ operations, including responsibility for the MG brand.
Zhang brings experience across both SAIC Motor Group and international markets and will spend regular time in the region working alongside the local leadership team.
“SAIC Motor has established an excellent footing in the ANZ market over the past decade, and we now look forward with great excitement to fuelling our next phase of growth by introducing innovative products that deeply resonate with and meet local demands,” Zhang said.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the outgoing CEO, adding: “I’d like to express sincere thanks to Peter for his leadership over the past eight years… Most importantly, always striving to deliver great value to our customers.”
To further reinforce execution on the ground, SAIC Motor has also appointed Felix Jiang as Senior Vice President for ANZ, based in Sydney. Jiang brings experience across SAIC headquarters and international roles, with a focus on translating strategy into day-to-day execution across the business.
A decade milestone — and a moment for reflection
As MG approaches its tenth year in Australia and New Zealand in 2026, SAIC Motor says the appointments reflect confidence in the local market and a focus on “empowering local teams, strengthening collaboration, lifting execution and elevating dealer partnerships”.
Current ANZ CEO Peter Ciao will transition into an advisory role to support staff, dealers and partners during the handover.
“The ANZ MG owner family is around 300,000 strong and growing every day, showing how our local dealer partners and customers have placed their trust in the MG Motor brand so wholeheartedly,” Ciao said.
“Our local team have been incredibly committed to our growth ambitions and I look forward to supporting the new senior leadership as SAIC Motor embarks on a new era in Australia and New Zealand.”
What it could mean for fleet buyers
While no formal change in direction has been announced, the timing of the leadership reset is notable. MG’s rapid rise was built on strong value positioning, aggressive pricing and high retail volumes. However, in a year when overall market conditions tightened and competition intensified — particularly from other China-sourced brands — the absence of a clear fleet and novated leasing strategy may have amplified the sales decline.
For fleet managers, Procurement Managers and salary-packaging providers, the coming months will be closely watched. Any renewed focus on residual value support, fleet specification, safety ratings and channel engagement would mark a meaningful shift from recent positioning.
SAIC Motor has indicated that, “at the appropriate time, SAIC Motor’s updated strategy for its next phase of growth in ANZ will be communicated, including new model news and updates.”
Whether that next phase includes a more deliberate return to fleet and novated leasing customers remains to be seen — but the leadership changes suggest MG Motor Australia may be preparing to recalibrate after a difficult year.
