MG opens new European engineering centre, plans to mass produce semi-solid-state batteries for EVs in Europe by end of 2026
As part of its 'in Europe, for Europe' strategy, SAIC-owned MG has announced the opening of a new European engineering centre in Frankfurt, Germany, alongside the news that it plans to introduce semi-solid-state battery technology in its EVs before the end of the year.
MG's new engineering centre in Frankfurt will focus on developing vehicles tailored to the specific needs of European customers, including regional climate conditions, road environments and driving lifestyles.
MG has said that its SolidCore battery, the newly announced name for its semi-solid-state battery technology, delivers "greater range certainty, rapid charging and enhanced cold-weather performance year-round", designed to meet the evolving demands of consumers in Europe.
The SolidCore battery has been designed specifically for the European market and is set to be introduced in MG-brand EVs by the end of the year.
In addition to its work with EV batteries, MG has unveiled plans that will support its offering of hybrid vehicles in Europe, having seen a 300% year-on-year increase in hybrid vehicle sales in 2025. Its Hybrid+ technology uses advanced software and hardware to optimise fuel consumption and deliver power quicker.
In Europe, for Europe
These announcements highlight MG's continued commitment to serving the European market through its 'in Europe, for Europe' strategy.
“MG’s new SolidCore Battery and Hybrid+ technology provide tangible benefits for our customers and position our vehicles at the forefront of their class," said Kimi Li, vice president of MG Europe and UK. "These advancements reinforce MG’s commitment to making cutting-edge technology and electric mobility more intuitive, accessible, and widely available."
Li added: "Our strategy of developing MG vehicles in Europe, for Europe further enhances the desirability, versatility and value that our cars deliver to customers across the European market.”
This signals an initial shift away from MG’s previously China-centric model in Europe, particularly in product development, toward a more localised engineering approach that can enable shorter development loops and better alignment with EU requirements and market demands.
Over the longer term, this shift could support compliance with tightening EU rules of origin requirements by laying the groundwork for greater localisation of components and supply chains. It also has the potential to reduce tariff exposure and improve MG’s competitive position in the European market.
Localisation of the battery supply chain in Europe
This move by MG follows a trend seen in recent years of Chinese-based OEMs and battery manufacturers exploring the localisation of the battery supply chain in Europe. For example, Chinese battery manufacturer CATL opened its first European office in Munich, Germany in 2014, and began constructing its first factory in Thuringia, Germany, in 2018.
As Aleksej Kruekov, general manager of overseas service EMEA at CATL, alluded to at the ALSC Europe 2026 conference, the company is currently building a new factory in Debrecen, Hungary, targeting a capacity of up to 100 GWh. Meanwhile, through a joint venture with Stellantis, CATL is set to establish another factory in Zaragoza, Spain.
"We want to deliver local-to-local, but of course relying on our Chinese supply chain base," Kruekov explained.
