SsangYong Plans Two New Models News
SsangYong is all set to enter the B and D segment as part of a 3 year plan to drag the South Korean brand out of its debt- which was estimated to stand at over £200m in March 2010. The plans rest on Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra, who are in the last stages of buying a majority share of SsangYong. Vice president of marketing, Johng-Sik Choi, stated that “We want to be working at maximum output, which is producing 250,000 cars globally per year- the new Korando should account for 100,000 of those. To do that we mean to enter growing markets such as Russia, China and South America, and we will expand our model range with cars built on our new monologue platform.”
The Ssangyong Korando compact SUV is the first car to use the platform, which is also the first monologue chassis the company has ever produced. It will be this stage that underpins the new Fiesta and Mondeo-sized models, the smaller of which is due to be launched in late 2012. The superior D-segment car will use an updated version of the common-rail diesel motor in the Korando. Meanwhile, the Rodius MPV and Kyron are likely to meet updates, including the new diesel motor, while the Rexton will be taken off sale.
Mahindra’s involvement in SsangYong’s future is necessary for the company’s endurance and the two brands will be linked closely enough that it is likely they will share models and badge them relevant to the country. “It would make sense for us to platform share,” said Choi, “and it is possible that Korando may enter India badged Mahindra in the near future.