SsangYong Rodius Introduced

SsangYong has issued the first details on its upcoming new MPV, called the Rodius.

Its name comes from the combination of Road and Zeus.

The new MPV, code named A100 is based on the platform of the New Chairman. It is powered by a Mercedes-derived 2.7-liter common-rail diesel engine, which debuted in the New Rexton earlier this year.

Rodius will be sold from 11, May in Korea with a monthly sales target of 4000 units. Exports are planned to begin later this year.

SsangYong Motors

Intro: Prior to the economic upset in South Korea, Ssangyong was a producer of intriguing four-wheel-drive vehicles. The company had started in business by building American Jeeps for the large resident US Army bases in South Korea (the largest garrison of American troops outside of the USA). It was known as the Korando (Koreans can do), which bore a strong resemblance to the American Jeep, which the company had grown to like.

However, witnessing the boom that was occurring for other Asia-Pacific car makers, the company wanted to develop its exports. Thus a British designer, Ken Greenley, was commissioned to create a new style of 4x4 estate car. The end result was called the Musso and, as a result of a three per cent technology stake in the company, carried out by Mercedes-Benz, it would be powered by Benz engines. Both Musso and Korando models were sold internationally under the Ssangyong brand. However, due to the fragile state of the national economy, the company was soon forced into a situation of overtrading, from which it could not recover.

Daewoo Motor Corporation cobbled together a deal to rescue Ssangyong and therefore the next tranche of models sold in Europe arrived with Daewoo badging and new grilles with due deference to the company’s saviour. However, Daewoo itself was treading on dangerous ground and went into insolvency in 2000. SsangYong Motor Company, with support from its creditors, managed to emerge as an independent company through extensive business restructuring and management reform efforts.

Due to the surging demand for SUVs the company has recovered in a short time. But there are huge debts to be paid so the majority of ownership was auctioned off in December, 2003. Unfortunately the preferred bidder, a Chinese company withdrew in March 2004.

Production in 2003: 151712 vehicles.
Rexton: 48998
Korando: 34182
Musso: 9230
Musso Sports: 37949
Istana: 8562
Chairman: 12791

SsangYong Motor Co Address: 150-3 Chilgoi-dong, Pyungtaek-shi, Kyonggi 459-711 Tel: +82-333-610-1114 Fax: +82-333-270-6817 URL: www.smotor.com