Korean brand SsangYong is gearing up for another go at Australia’s growing new car market.
After previously relying on independent distributors, Ssangyong is relaunch as a fully factory-backed operation in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Former Haval executive Tim Smith has been appointed as SsangYong’s managing director.
SsangYong is already competing in a number of right-hand drive markets such as the UK and will look for success with a range that includes the Tivoli small SUV, the Rexton large SUV and a new version of the Musso ute.
The marque has already confirmed each model will be well appointed and arrive with autonomous emergency braking along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Those of us old enough to have a grey hair or two will remember the uninspiring SsangYong designs of the past, thankfully, the new models look much sharper.
With dual-cab utes currently riding a wave of popularity, the Musso could prove popular. European models are powered by a 2.2-litre 132kW/400Nm turbo-diesel which is rated to tow 3500kg.
The seven-seat Rexton 4×4 also gets a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel tuned to deliver 133kW and 420Nm. It will be paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission from Mercedes-Benz and will feature low-range gearing.
The Tivoli small SUV will be offered in two versions, one being the long-wheelbase seven-seat XLV.
It will be a numbers game for SsangYong, pricing will obviously need to be sharp at launch.
In the UK, SsangYong back their cars with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, with that fast becoming the norm Down Under a longer warranty could prove vital.
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