Ssangyong

The SsangYong Motor Company is the fourth largest South Korean automobile manufacturer, producing passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles. The company known today as SsangYong has traded under several names, starting out as the Ha Dong-hwan Motor Workshop in 1954. A merger in 1962 produced a new name – the Ha Dong-hwan Motor Company – which manufactured trucks, buses and jeeps for the US army. After a decade as Dong-A Motor, the company was taken over by the SsangYong Business Group in 1988, and SSangYong Motor Company was born. SsangYong entered into a technology partnership with Daimler-Benz in 1991, allowing the company to develop more technologically advanced vehicles. 1993 saw the launch of the 4x4 SUV Musso, followed by the Chairman luxury sedan. SsangYong’s association with Daimler-Benz truly bore fruit in the 2001 Rexton 4x4 all-wheel drive, which features Mercedes Benz engine technology. The Rexton’s impressive performance has made it one of SsangYong’s best-sellers, and the model is still produced today. Recent models include the Actyon SUV, the Actyon Sports dual cab Ute and the new Ssangyong Kryon, which features a diesel particulate filter and an Australian-made 6-speed automatic transmission. Ssangyong was badly affected by the Global Financial Crisis, and the company went into receivership in 2009. However, after a deal with Daewoo Motor Sales provided a much needed injection of funds, Ssangyong was rescued from bankruptcy and has since shown strong signs of recovery.