MG Could Be Next Automaker to Get Apple Car Key Support

[MacRumors]

Code found in Apple's backend car key system suggests the company is preparing to add support for MG vehicles.

The discovery indicates Apple has begun preparing car key support for SAIC Motor's MG brand. With an Apple Car Key, drivers can use their iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle instead of relying on a traditional key fob, with support for Express Mode that works without authentication.

MG began as a British sports car marque in 1924 before China's SAIC Motor acquired the brand in 2007, and it has since become one of the fastest-growing car brands in Europe. The company recently delivered its one millionth car to a European customer, with roughly 386,000 of those sales coming from the UK alone, where MG now holds more than four percent of the market and ranks among the country's 10 largest car makers by volume. That growth has been driven in large part by MG's electric lineup, including the MG4 and MG Cyberster.

As with other backend references to expanded Apple Car Key support, the code does not indicate which MG models will be compatible or provide a timeframe for rollout, and MG has not yet announced support for the feature. Its addition to Apple's backend code does suggest, however, that its release could soon be on the way.

Article Link: MG Could Be Next Automaker to Get Apple Car Key Support

 

[mclaren1444]

Never heard of it.

 

[Kal El]

Please bring it to existing models and not just new ones 🤞

 

[Attirex]

Never heard of it.

User name McLaren has never heard of MG. Oh dear.

 

[CookeeTim]

User name McLaren has never heard of MG. Oh dear.

In terms of British car companies, MG is unknown. I just learned about it a few years ago due to some TV ads (in 2024). People do know (and relate) Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar as British related brands.

And reading that it is under SAIC's control, it even turns me away from them. They probably are a fest of rebadged cars at this point, no point on knowing them.

 

[Celeron]

This feature works fantastically well on my MINI Cooper S. I wish Honda would add it too, I hate carrying the keyfob around.

 

[Attirex]

In terms of British car companies, MG is unknown. I just learned about it a few years ago due to some TV ads (in 2024). People do know (and relate) Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar as British related brands.

And reading that it is under SAIC's control, it even turns me away from them. They probably are a fest of rebadged cars at this point, no point on knowing them.

Unknown? Geez. Anyone who claims to like cars should at least have heard of them. Guess I am just old then lol. My dad had one (US) when I was a kid. It was his midlife crisis daily driver after my mom left him. 😀 My most vivd memory of it was constantly being in the shop (not surprisingly)

 

[txscott]

Hadn't heard anything from MG since the 70's. Sad to think a proud marque now exists only as a soulless zombie Chinese brand. We'll call it a "Tribute Brand". Kind of like the current incarnations of Chicago or Journey.

 

[seek3r]

In terms of British car companies, MG is unknown. I just learned about it a few years ago due to some TV ads (in 2024). People do know (and relate) Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar as British related brands.

And reading that it is under SAIC's control, it even turns me away from them. They probably are a fest of rebadged cars at this point, no point on knowing them.

Wut? They’ve been around quite a while and made a lot of cars that are well known classics today, so the name has some staying power even if their newer cars arent as popular. They’re pretty well known…

 

[Sowelu]

I was obsessed with these cars when I'd see a rare one out and about back in 80's as a kid. I wish MG would bring them back to the US.

 

[spillled typos]

TIL MG still exists! Looks like they're Chinese owned now though, so "exists" is subjective.

 

[Dirty Mac]

If your a fan of the Clarkson, Hammond, and May, Top Gear era than you'll have seen lots of actually interesting "souless zombie chinese" made MGs whether hit or miss.

 

[IJ Reilly]

In terms of British car companies, MG is unknown. I just learned about it a few years ago due to some TV ads (in 2024). People do know (and relate) Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar as British related brands.

And reading that it is under SAIC's control, it even turns me away from them. They probably are a fest of rebadged cars at this point, no point on knowing them.

Wow, I shouldn't think so. MG (Morris Garages) became one of the most well known British carmakers, especially postwar with the MG-TC and TD, Sprite, MGA, MGB, and Midget. The company was merged into British Motor Cars in the early '50s and later became part of British Leyland. I personally owned a 1973 Midget.

 

[awshucks]

Wow, I didn’t know Car Key would be compatible with MGs. Yet my 2019 Chevy is not compatible.

 

[PachaEOD]

I owned a 1959 MGA Twin Cam back in the day. MG by the way stands for Morris Garage.

 

[juniorjnr1]

In terms of British car companies, MG is unknown. I just learned about it a few years ago due to some TV ads (in 2024). People do know (and relate) Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar as British related brands.

And reading that it is under SAIC's control, it even turns me away from them. They probably are a fest of rebadged cars at this point, no point on knowing them.

It never ceases to amaze me how people on the internet are willing to so confidently assert complete falsehoods.

 

[CookeeTim]

Unknown? Geez. Anyone who claims to like cars should at least have heard of them. Guess I am just old then lol. My dad had one (US) when I was a kid. It was his midlife crisis daily driver after my mom left him. 😀 My most vivd memory of it was constantly being in the shop (not surprisingly)

Wut? They’ve been around quite a while and made a lot of cars that are well known classics today, so the name has some staying power even if their newer cars arent as popular. They’re pretty well known…

Wow, I shouldn't think so. MG (Morris Garages) became one of the most well known British carmakers, especially postwar with the MG-TC and TD, Sprite, MGA, MGB, and Midget. The company was merged into British Motor Cars in the early '50s and later became part of British Leyland. I personally owned a 1973 Midget.

It never ceases to amaze me how people on the internet are willing to so confidently assert complete falsehoods.

I'm going to reply to all of you at once. Idk how old you all are, or where do you live. MG might be popular or talked about in Europe, but doubt it comes to people's mind when picking cars in our current days outside of Europe. If you are all car fanatics, then yeah, fair enough you know about the brand. I'm not a car fanatic, so I shared earlier that I learned about the brand due to a TV ad.

Go drive around in the US, or parts of the American continent (North/Central/South), and MG is nowhere to be seen around here. SAIC has begun expanding their presence recently in the region, but the brand is unknown. They are rare to see in the streets, and pretty much non-existent in the used market as well.

I will stand by my earlier point: "In terms of British car companies, MG is unknown. I just learned about it a few years ago due to some TV ads (in 2024). People do know (and relate) Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar as British related brands."
This is not something I made up, or throwing hate on the brand just for stirring polemic.

 

[Attirex]

I'm going to reply to all of you at once. Idk how old you all are, or where do you live. MG might be popular or talked about in Europe, but doubt it comes to people's mind when picking cars in our current days outside of Europe. If you are all car fanatics, then yeah, fair enough you know about the brand. I'm not a car fanatic, so I shared earlier that I learned about the brand due to a TV ad.

Go drive around in the US, or parts of the American continent (North/Central/South), and MG is nowhere to be seen around here. SAIC has begun expanding their presence recently in the region, but the brand is unknown. They are rare to see in the streets, and pretty much non-existent in the used market as well.

I will stand by my earlier point: "In terms of British car companies, MG is unknown. I just learned about it a few years ago due to some TV ads (in 2024). People do know (and relate) Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar as British related brands."
This is not something I made up, or throwing hate on the brand just for stirring polemic.

You are probably right. US MGs in the Seventies were niche even back then. So really just more confirmation that I am old AF. Ah well.

 

[svish]

Good to see more car manufacturers supporting it. Hopefully it will support all existing cars in the market and then it should be useful for all owners.

 

[seek3r]

I'm going to reply to all of you at once. Idk how old you all are, or where do you live. MG might be popular or talked about in Europe, but doubt it comes to people's mind when picking cars in our current days outside of Europe. If you are all car fanatics, then yeah, fair enough you know about the brand. I'm not a car fanatic, so I shared earlier that I learned about the brand due to a TV ad.

Go drive around in the US, or parts of the American continent (North/Central/South), and MG is nowhere to be seen around here. SAIC has begun expanding their presence recently in the region, but the brand is unknown. They are rare to see in the streets, and pretty much non-existent in the used market as well.

I will stand by my earlier point: "In terms of British car companies, MG is unknown. I just learned about it a few years ago due to some TV ads (in 2024). People do know (and relate) Mini, Land Rover and Jaguar as British related brands."
This is not something I made up, or throwing hate on the brand just for stirring polemic.

I’m American, not a huge car fanatic, and not all *that* old (I’m a millennial), and yet I’m well aware of MG… that said I know a lot of car fanatics, so maybe more has filtered in than I thought lol

 

[CookeeTim]

I’m American, not a huge car fanatic, and not all *that* old (I’m a millennial), and yet I’m well aware of MG… that said I know a lot of car fanatics, so maybe more has filtered in than I thought lol

I mean, fair enough in that case. I was surprised at the time to learn that they were a thing, sad that they got bought out tho

 

[now i see it]

With an Apple Car Key, drivers can use their iPhone or Apple Watch to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle instead of relying on a traditional key fob

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[awshucks]

I owned a 1959 MGA Twin Cam back in the day. MG by the way stands for Morris Garage.

I know someone who bought an MGA when he was 18. He still has it in his garage with the motor being rebuilt.

 

[AlanMarron]

Go drive around in the US, or parts of the American continent (North/Central/South), and MG is nowhere to be seen around here. SAIC has begun expanding their presence recently in the region, but the brand is unknown. They are rare to see in the streets, and pretty much non-existent in the used market as well.

AFAIK, México is part of the American continents (there are two—“central” is a construct, not a continent), and MG is a strong player over here.

Non-existent? Search https://autos.mercadolibre.com.mx

 

[tridley68]

Sorry if there are any purists I have a 1980 mgb converted to a 302 mild cam t5 gearbox and a narrowed Chevy s10 rear Axel fun little car to drive.