The future of the SsangYong brand in the UK is now said to be secure thanks to a 70 per cent acquisition of the Korean company by Indian engineering conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra. New investment in the importing company will see a name change in the UK to SsangYong Motor UK (SYMUK). This development means that the launch of the new Korando crossover vehicle can go ahead, and SYMUK expects an increase in dealerships from the present 50, to 65. New models, developments of the Korando range, and even an electric vehicle are planned and the first of these will be seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September.
SYMUK managing director Paul Williams announced: “We have ambitious sales targets and aspirations for the brand in the UK. We will continue to aim our four-wheel drive products at the caravan/trailer and rural markets, while the Korando crossover and its derivatives enable us to expand into the mainstream car market and fleet sector.” Prices for the Korando crossover model are expected to range from £17,000 to around £23,000.
