Chinese carmaker SAIC has unveiled its premium electric vehicle brand IM Motors in the UK under the MG badge, introducing the IM 5 saloon and IM 6 SUV with prices starting at £39,450 (around €45,700). The launch marks the brand’s first commercial entry into Europe following its showcase debut at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show.
The IM 5 and IM 6 were presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and are due to appear in MG dealerships across the UK in the coming months, according to British automotive publication Autocar. The IM brand – short for “Intelligence in Motion” – was established in 2020 as a joint venture between SAIC, Alibaba, and the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. Unlike MG’s budget-friendly positioning, IM Motors is aimed at technology-focused consumers, with Tesla cited as a key rival.
The IM 5 is a 4.93-metre electric hatchback saloon, making it longer than the Tesla Model 3 and slightly smaller than the Model S. Built on a new 800-volt architecture, the IM 5 offers fast-charging capabilities, with its 100 kWh battery able to charge from 10 to 80% in just 17 minutes at 350 kW stations.
Range is estimated at 711 km (CLTC: 780 km). Pricing for the IM 5 ranges from £39,450 (€45,700) for the 75-kWh base model to £48,495 (€56,100) for the 553 kW dual-motor version, which accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 3.2 seconds.
The IM 6 SUV, similarly based on the IM 5 platform, starts at £44,995 (€52,100) for the Long Range version and £50,995 (€59,000) for the dual-motor variant. Although sharing the same drivetrain, the IM 6’s larger SUV body results in slightly slower acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
Both models feature a 26.3-inch panoramic digital display and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for controls, along with options such as a panoramic sunroof, automated parking assistant, and rear-wheel steering. In China, a top-tier IM 5 (L6) version equipped with a 133 kWh semi-solid-state battery and 900-volt architecture boasts a 1,000 km range and 400 kW charging speed, though it is unclear if this variant will reach European markets.
SAIC has not disclosed a timeline for expanding IM Motors into other EU countries or details on its European retail strategy. MG remains the most successful Chinese automotive brand in Europe, and SAIC appears poised to leverage its established network to bring its premium IM lineup to a broader audience.