Ssangyong May Enter American Market
Back in February, TTAC reported that Ssangyong SUVs may be imported into the United States in the near future, and a report by Reuters confirms that significant steps have been made by parent company Mahindra to further that goal.
According to Reuters, Mahindra is in the midst of conducting a feasibility study for the sale of its products in the American market. Ssangyong vehicles would be positioned as a budget range of SUVs and crossovers. Some models, like the Rexton, use older Mercedes-Benz technology, while the Korando (pictured above) uses newer technology developed by Ssangyong (though likely with the help of outside consulting firms).
While S sangyong currently markets its vehicles in markets like Australia using the “Boldly Korean” marketing tagline, a U.S. introduction would likely mean a new moniker (one that is more pleasing to American ears) and a whole new branding strategy.
More by Derek Kreindler
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My but we are quick to criticize Ssangyong for buying Daimler Benz technology, as if that practice were beneath first class car companies. Remind me again how the Jeep Grand Cherokee and 300C came to be?
Didn't this company [can't spell now] look into buying the Saturn brand and dealer network from GM? But then pulled out since Renault had a say? They didn't want it to compete with Nissan.
They need a crossover. The Korando won't be enough and the Korando Gran Turismo is too weird looking. The Rexton is built on an old ML Class platform and the Chairman H is an old S-Class W124. The Chairman W is the only knight in shining armor in Ssangyong's lineup, and it's power trains are outdated. I don't see this experiment going well. I live in Korea and while Ssangyong vehicles are on the road, they're not nearly as popular as Hyundai/Kia and Samsung/Renault.
I would not be keen on buying a car that Mercedes built out of Mercedes parts right now. Think I'll pass on this.