MG says it will bring a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its MG U9 dual-cab ute to Australian showrooms, giving the Chinese brand more ammunition to take on the top-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
“We already have the plan. Middle of 2027 is our plan,” said MG Motor Australia boss Peter Ciao when asked about an MG U9 PHEV to take on the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha and Ford Ranger PHEV.
The U9 was launched in Australia last month (September 2025), hot on the heels of the closely related LDV Terron 9, with both MG and LDV being part of Chinese auto giant SAIC.
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Both dual-cab utes, which are larger than a Toyota HiLux but smaller than a full-size US pickup like the Ram 1500, were launched here with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, eight-speed automatic and four-wheel drive.
In August, MG announced a ¥10 million (A$2.13 billion) investment to launch 13 new models globally including electric vehicles (EVs), PHEVs and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) “in the next two years”.
Mr Ciao said a PHEV version of the U9 will be part of the product strategy for Australia going forward as the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) starts to impact the model ranges of auto brands via progressively tightening CO2 emissions limits.
“Each model has different CO2 credits, but I have a whole range that I can balance,” Mr Ciao said.
“We will develop PHEV to catch up and let customers make the decision in the future, whether it’s PHEV or diesel.”
The MG U9 will be one of several more Chinese utes available with PHEV power by 2027, and the JAC T9 will become one of them in early 2026.
The JAC T9 PHEV will come with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors, offering a combined 385kW of power and no less than 1000Nm of torque.
That’s more than any existing PHEV dual-cab, with the Ranger making a combined 207kW/697Nm, the Cannon Alpha 300kW/750Nm and Shark 6 321kW/650Nm.
Since the NVES was introduced at the start of this year, several auto brands have adjusted their Australian product lineups to meet the new CO2 regulations, which will become more stringent between 2025 and 2029.
Ford Australia has upped the price of the Mustang by $5000 across the range, pointing to NVES as a factor.
The Blue Oval brand also increased Ranger and Everest SUV prices by $250 across the range in July, but did not cite NVES as a motive for the move.
The company has not confirmed whether the 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine in both of those models – introduced in 2018 – will be axed in 2026, given its CO2 emissions do not meet NVES limits.
In the Ranger XLT dual-cab, the twin-turbo diesel emits 189g/km of CO2, while the Ranger PHEV emits just 66g/km – below 2029 limit.
The Bi-Turbo engine was dropped from the Ranger sold in the UK earlier this year due to emissions regulations.
MORE: Explore the MG U9 showroom