Ssangyong to enter American market with next gen Rexton, Tivoli - Report

Mahindra-branded vehicles will not be sold.

Mahindra & Mahindra Executive Director (Automotive and Farm equipment sectors) Dr. Pawan Goenka has confirmed that the company will not sell its products in the U.S.A. Instead, it plans to launch the Korean Ssangyong brand with a couple of products.

Dr. Goenka confirmed that the company was undertaking a study in the U.S. market before making its final plans. The just launched Ssangyong Tivoli B-segment SUV, and the next generation of the Rexton SUV are likely contenders for the American market, he said.

The Tivoli, the first compact SUV from the brand, was launched in Korea at a starting price of 16.3 million Won (INR 9.1 lakhs) last week. The car is powered by a 1.6-liter petrol engine matched to manual and automatic transmissions.

Ssangyong announced that of the 100,000 units planned for the first year, 60 percent will be exported to markets in Latin America, China and Europe. Parent Mahindra however is undecided on launching the Tivoli in India.

Also read: Mahindra Quanto facelift to launch this year with AMT

Mahindra tried to enter the American market with its Scorpio pickup in 2009, but after delays and issues with its erstwhile distributor, Global Vehicles, the company ditched the plan.

[Source - Economic Times]