Two years ago the Mahindra
Group of India bought 75% of Ssangyong
Motors from South Korea. The specialist SUV producer was just adding to its growing portfolio of SUV vehicles
since Ssangyong is similarly a specialist. Now Mahindra South Africa has announced it will distribute all Ssangyong
products from this moment forward.
Over the past 16
years Ssangyong has been distributing its products in Mzansi through the Imperial Group, and has sold over 8000 units in the process, or an
average of 41 vehicles a month for
that period. With Mahindra’s support and new products coming in, that number is
expected to increase over the next few years.
“We know that healthy
dealers are vital to the wellbeing of a brand,” explained Mahindra SA CEO, Ashok Thakur. “We have 42
Mahindra dealers, and expect to sign another 10 in the course of this year.
Already, 15 of these dealers have
set up outlets to sell SsangYong vehicles and we plan to double the number of
the brand’s dealers in the next six months.”
Mahindra launched the XUV5oo
last year and says it’s become an instant
hit in South Africa. Ssangyong on the other hand, really doesn’t have much
to offer at the moment, although a new Actyon
Sport is possible, as well as new Korando
and Rexton models. More info will be
forthcoming at the end of April. The company showed off the XIV-2 Convertible Crossover Concept (pictured)
at the recent 2012 Geneva International
Motor Show. Looks like Range Rover
Evoque has some competition from Ssangyong…
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