Korean SUV manufacturer, SsangYong, now 73 percent owned by Mahindra & Mahindra, is celebrating 60 years of its foundation. M&M finalised its acquisition in March 2011 and a year or so later introduced the Rexton (internationally the Rexton W) in India as a CKD and assembled it at the Chakan, Pune plant.  SsangYong is South Korea's oldest and fourth biggest automaker, and manufactures 4x4s, SUVs and MPVs.

 

On the occasion, SsangYong has launched special editions of the Korando and Rexton W for the UK, a market where it has been present for two decades. The Korando is smaller and more like a crossover, whereas the Rexton W is a conventional ladder-chassis SUV.

 

Both cars are powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel unit is different states-of-tune. The special editions get cosmetic upgrades, equipment additions and more security, comfort and convenience features.

Looking into the near future, the company will launch an all new B-segment car (codenamed X100).  Various iterations of this have been shown at recent international motor shows, the most recent being its XLV concept at Geneva in March 2014.  This product line, which is being jointly developed with Mahindra, will spawn long and short wheel base derivatives. Technical teams from India have visited Korea, and both companies are collaborating closely in R&D.