MG Motor UK has halted its sales of affordable electric vehicles (EV) as it aims to meet an “unprecedented level of demand” amid global semiconductor supply shortages.

A statement issued to AM by the Chinese-owned carmaker’s UK operation said that it had stopped taking orders of the MG ZS EV SUV  launched in November last year as it battled to meet its current order take.

It placed its final order for the MG5 estate car earlier this year, meanwhile, ahead of the launch of an updated version expected in Q4.

MG Motor UK said: “Following an unprecedented level of demand for the New ZS EV since launch in November last year, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend accepting new orders to concentrate on fulfilling our current order banks which are full until the end of this year.

“We placed the final order for current model MG5 EV earlier on this year in anticipation of the eagerly awaited replacement, which we will launch by the end of 2022. An announcement on pricing and opening of order banks is due shortly.

“Whilst we are working with our production colleagues to increase volume, we are affected by the well-publicised global semiconductor shortages which has limited our ability to match supply to demand. We anticipate being in a position to start accepting orders for ZS EV again in a matter of weeks.”

MG’s UK car registrations were up 86% year-to-date to the end of May this year.

Its burgeoning sales success in the UK has been partially built on its sales of affordable EVs.

As such, its EV models were among few to be affected by the UK Government’s withdrawal of plug-in car grant (PiCG) earlier this week, following a reduction in the value of eligible vehicles in December last year.

Standard Range versions of the ZS EV were priced at £27,495 from launch and offer a zero-emissions range of 198 miles.

MG’s move to pause EV sales in the UK follows the reinstatement of petrol vehicle sales to customers seeking an affordable new car.

AM reported back in March that it had told its franchised car retailers to stop taking orders for new petrol vehicles after “unprecedented demand” saw it fill its 2022 sales quota by the end of February.