I Bought Ssangyong
Who are they?
Yesterday I picked up and brand new Ssangyong Tivoli, however not many people have heard of their name, they are car manufacturers and have been around since 1954.
SsangYong was initially established as Ha Dong-Hwan Motor workshop in 1954. The company initially started producing trucks, busses and special purpose vehicles many of them for export.
In 1974 they co-founded Shinjin Jeep and developed both hard and soft top Jeeps. Just three years later in 1977, the company, known at the time as Ha Dong-Hwan Motor Co changed its name to Dong A Motor Co Ltd.
In 1984 SsangYong took over Geohwa Co and took over the name Korando, a contraction of the motto “Korean Can Do”.
In 1986 the SsangYong Group acquired the company and subsequently all vehicles were given the SsangYong name. The official name SsangYong (“Two Dragons”) and legal independence the company acquired only in 1986. At the beginning of the new millennium, the idea arose to abandon the Latin letters in the logo.
SsangYong formed a powerful partnership with Daimler-Benz in 1991. This allowed SsangYong to develop products using Mercedes-Benz technology. The first vehicle launched using Mercedes technology was the large SUV the SsangYong Musso.
The ‘new’ Korando was launched to complement the SsangYong Musso and featured several engine options including both petrol and diesel, this car is pictured above.
Daewoo bought a majority stake in SsangYong and subsequently vehicles such as Korando were sold as the Daewoo until 2001. The first generation of Rexton was launched using technology from Mercedes-Benz — Rexton furthered SsangYong’s reputation for producing competent off-roaders.
In 2004 SsangYong merged with Chinese Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). 2004 also saw the company launch a large 7 seat MPV for the first time with Rodius.
Mumbai based Mahindra Motor Co, India’s largest maker of utility vehicles acquired SsangYong. 2011 also launched the 3rd generation Korando, SsangYong’s first monocoque and uses a new 2.0L home developed diesel engine.
The launch of Korando Sports brings a new level of refinement to the pick-up market in 2012 and a year later they launch Turismo, a much updated and improved version of the Rodius now with the 2.0L diesel engine and contemporary styling.
Rexton W reached the UK in early 2014 with an all-new look and now well proven SsangYong 2.0 litre diesel engine. Rexton W is set to build on its predecessor’s reputation as a tough, no-nonsense off-roader and tow-car.
2015 was an exciting year for SsangYong with the launch of Tivoli, a small crossover vehicle. Engineered in conjunction with Mahindra and powered by an all-new SsangYong 1.6L engine, Tivoli has become SsangYong’s best selling model yet! An interesting fact Tivoli spelt backwards reads “I lov it”
Replacing a flagship model is always a big event, and 2017 saw the launch of the new Rexton — the 4th generation. With 3.5 tonnes towing, space for 7, massive off-road ability and an interior of a luxury car the new Rexton took the SsangYong brand to new heights.
The launch of the new Musso in 2018 completes the renewal of our complete range under Mahindra and Mahindra management — based on the new Rexton, Musso has the ability to carry over a tonne and tow 3.5 tonnes at the same time. It’s also rather refined and well-appointed as you would expect for a truck-based on a top of the range SUV.
The first major refresh for Tivoli brings new 1.2L and 1.5L turbocharged petrol engines, an uprated diesel and a cabin that takes the best of the technology from Korando whilst maintaining interior and boot space that can embarrass many a rival. I just picked up the 2021 model yesterday for my wife, and already own a Rexton.
In the world of pick-up’s big is best and Musso Rhino is the biggest of them all. With all the benefits of the standard Musso and an extra-long load deck carrying capacity is now the biggest in the market whilst retaining the ability to tow at the same time.
Things are changing fast when it comes to fuel and SsangYong will be launching their own all-electric version of the Korando SUV in mid-2021 to ensure the future of the brand is secure. We assume it will be based on the 2019 Geneva Show concept vehicle E-SIV.
I wonder what the future holds for Ssangyong? I have bought a 2015 plat Tivoli, upgraded yesterday to a 2021 model, these were for my wife. I currently own a 2018 plate Rexton.
Previously I have drivenJaguar and don’t miss it one bit, I would recommend any took a Ssangyong out for a test drive, you get a lot of value for money and with a 7-year warranty, what have you go to lose?
Original links https://www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/pages/about-us/our-story
Join Medium here (affiliate link)