Ssangyong Making Moves Towards US Market Launch

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Ssangyong has trademarked two nameplates in America, ostensibly in preparation for an American launch.

Consumer Reports claims that the two models will be known as the Tivoli (the small SUV shown above) and the Luvent (a compact car based on the same platform).

The Tivoli will launch in the South Korean market in January at the equivalent price of $15,000 with a six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic transmission will add about $1,500 to the cost. The base two-wheel drive Tivoli will come with a 125-hp, 1.6-liter gasoline engine. All-wheel drive and a 1.6-liter diesel variant will be available as part of Ssangyong’s build plan.

Standard safety features in the South Korean market will include seven air bags, electronic stability control, brake assist, hill start assist, and seat-belt pretensioners. If extreme brake force is applied, the car will automatically illuminate the emergency flashers in the rear taillamp cluster. About 40 percent of the car’s body will be made of advanced high-strength steel.

Although Ssangyong’s target markets have been in Central America, Eastern Europe, Africa, China, and India, the Tivoli was designed with U.S. crash and emissions certification in mind, Ssangyong sources told Consumer Reports.

While CR notes that Ssangyong has trademarked names in the past without ever making an appearance in America, there have been sustained rumors about a launch for the brand. The brand itself, backed by Mahindra, would likely change its name to sound less Korean.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Jeff S Jeff S on Dec 24, 2014

    This is a South Korean company not a Chinese company. Ssangyong is a South Korean company it just happens to be lesser known than Hyundai and Kia and is now owned by Mahindra.

  • Wmba Wmba on Dec 25, 2014

    Yes, indeed, and a Merry Xmas to everyone who thought Ssangyong was Chinese. The general level of automotive knowledge here is so low, it scarcely registers. The Ssangyong Rodius was once acclaimed as the ugliest vehicle sold, but they managed to flog one or two because it had the 3 litre Mercedes SOHC engine used in the late 1980s E Class, built under licence. Of course, these days, gazing upon its mishapen lines courtesy of Google, years of bad styling from a multitude of manufacturers have ruined our minds to the point where it looks passably bland. Better than a Buick Rendezvous, immeasurably more elegant than a Nissan Juke or Cube. Of course, for the height of bad taste, we now turn to Toyota for the Mirai and Lexus NX200, proof positive that ex-samurai warriors on bath salts hired as styling consultants are completely out of their minds

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    • RobertRyan RobertRyan on Dec 26, 2014

      @Scoutdude A lot of their stuff is pretty shonky. Mahindra and TATA are good with providing finance for JLR and Daewoo Heavy Trucks

  • Jkk6 Jkk6 on Dec 26, 2014

    Ssangyong is just a fancy domestic car(To Koreans) that build and sells cars off foreign platforms. MB diesel engines, and old 88' s-class platforms that people purchase as alternatives to Hyundai's domestic offerings since every damn wanna be/soon to be gangster buys used Granduers, Dynastys, Equus's and Genesis's for 5000 dollars, also since buying German imports are often looked down upon being too ostentatious. The company itself has been on the tight rope for sometime now (15years?), first they were sold to a Daewoo then to a Chinese company which extracted any IP value it used to hold, often saw dealer lots with past generation 4~5 year old cars that aren't produces anymore still being sold new. Striking assembly lines with Chinese owners that didn't care was then sold to Mahindra. Mahindra IIRC has large ownership in the company becoming it's life line, and what I think what they're trying to do is utilize existing mfg infrastructure, inject some money into marketing and distribution and basing their selling point off the "Korean Value" which arose recently with H/K's and GM Daewoo's(Cruze) success. Sort of like a Korea/asian Range Rover line. Ssangyong to me (29year old)has had only a single successful model which is the MB diesel MUSSO which was also successfully exported and sold in low volume to certain European countries. Note that their advantage during this Era, was the fact that the only SUVs that existed were Wranglers/Pathfinders/Explorers/RRs. Remember X5s and MLs came into production late game after the millenium started. If they come to America they will see a fate far more unforgiving than that of Izusu and Suzuki at the pockets of their Indian co-owners. To me this is not even amusing. If anything I hope this company can churn out cars that people want breaking free from stubborn management and creating new value similar to that of a Nissan Gohsen turn around.

  • DrGastro997 DrGastro997 on Dec 30, 2014

    Do we need more budget compact utilities??? When I was in South Korea most of the Ssangyong models I saw were very close copies of Japanese and European makes.

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