SSangYong Korando

[Jay!]

I saw one of these at my local supermarket parking lot the other day. It had Michigan dealer plates (but I saw it in California!) I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was until I saw the badges with names I'd never heard of before. (I thought it was a Jeep Liberty at first.)

Is SSangYong the manufacturer? (And is it really spelled with two Ss?) Where are they based? Where is this car sold? All the sites I can find about it aren't in english...

[Chris]

They are a Korean company. They were bought by Daewoo not to long ago (a dumb move, they were in mega debt).

You should tell a few car mags if I were you (you could get your name mentioned in one )

You can see more here

OR I could tell you this: It has a 3.2L DOHC V6 with 210 hp and weighs 3866lbs.

[Jay!]

Originally posted by Chris
You should tell a few car mags if I were you (you could get your name mentioned in one )

Why? Like who?

[Euro19]

The Korando uses diesel and gas engines all made by Mercedes-Benz (they´re from the last generation MB E-Class) in a joint-venture made by Ssangyong and Mercedes long time ago (I think it was 1995 or 1996) Then Daewoo bought Ssangyong (in 1997/98 I think) and reestyled the Ssangyong Musso introducing the typical front grille of the Lanos-Leganza and didn´t it with the Korando. We have several Korandos and Mussos around here, but they´re still being sold by the Ssangyong brand, not quite in South America for example, where in countries I´ve been like Peru it has been a hit, sold as the Daewoo Korando. I guess those MB engines give this Daewoos a lot of credit! I think they should import the Musso to USA, maybe the next generation will be imported.
The picture is from the Musso

[Chris]

Jay: Just tell Motor Trend, Road and Track, and Car and Driver. Because a Ssang Yong shouldn't be allowed to operate in NA.

[Hudson]

Daewoo did announce that they were buying Ssangyong a few years ago, but with the bankruptcy of Daewoo, I believe the deal fell through. Daewoo had planned on bringing the Korrando into the US, but a lawsuit between Daewoo and DaimlerChrysler made them restyle the front of the Korrando before it came here (it looked too much like the Wrangler for DaimlerChrysler's tastes).

The Musso (about the size of the last generation Explorer) was probably a better choice as the first Ssangyong product to be imported here, but Daewoo thought the Korrando (a two-door) would be their first choice.

Ssangyong is a stand-alone company now and, if Daewoo owns even part of the company, nothing is being mentioned as part of the GM deal to purchase Daewoo.

Ssangyong also has a car. The Ssangyong Chairman is a slightly restyled version of the old (1986-1995) Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan.

[Euro19]

Daimler Chrysler always complaining about everything. They pick on GM about the Hummer H2, but GM simply ignored they request to remove the front-grille from it.
Ssangyong is owned by Daewoo but the brand remains as it is in Europe for example, but in some countries like in South America Ssangyong vehicles have the Daewoo badge. I think it was an interesting move cause Daewoo didn´t have SUVs before this.
Here´s a pic of the ultra-luxurious Chairman (I think it´s actually based on the old S-class cause I´ve seen it personally on the outside and the inside and it is bigger than the last E-Class and greatly improved)

[Hudson]

Daewoo doesn't own Ssangyong...atleast not much of it. It was Daewoo's intention to absorb Ssangyong (oddly enough, when Daewoo's financial troubles were becoming the headlining stories), but it fell through. Daewoo does market Ssangyong products in a number of countries, but Ssangyong is still a separate company.

As for the Chairman, I believe it to be based on the E-Class, not the S-Class.

[Euro19]

Like some kind of arrangement? I see.

[Jimster]

Originally posted by Euro19
Daimler Chrysler always complaining about everything. They pick on GM about the Hummer H2, but GM simply ignored they request to remove the front-grille from it.
Ssangyong is owned by Daewoo but the brand remains as it is in Europe for example, but in some countries like in South America Ssangyong vehicles have the Daewoo badge. I think it was an interesting move cause Daewoo didn´t have SUVs before this.
Here´s a pic of the ultra-luxurious Chairman (I think it´s actually based on the old S-class cause I´ve seen it personally on the outside and the inside and it is bigger than the last E-Class and greatly improved)

WE get the Chairman in NZ wonderful cars

[Euro19]

Originally posted by Hudson
Daewoo doesn't own Ssangyong...atleast not much of it. It was Daewoo's intention to absorb Ssangyong (oddly enough, when Daewoo's financial troubles were becoming the headlining stories), but it fell through. Daewoo does market Ssangyong products in a number of countries, but Ssangyong is still a separate company.

As for the Chairman, I believe it to be based on the E-Class, not the S-Class.

I adjunt this document from 1997 that I found, and all what it says had place that same year within less than 15 days. I think that´s enough about the Daewoo and Ssangyong thing ok

Daewoo to Takeover Ssangyong Motor

15 December 1997

Daewoo Group will take a 53.5% controlling stake in Ssangyong Motor Co. Ltd. Executives from Daewoo and Ssangyong have announced they will complete the agreement before the end of this year.

Daewoo will assume around USD$1 .7 billion of Ssangyong's current loans, which total USD$2.79 billion. Daimler-Benz AG will retain its 2.4% stake in Ssangyong, and Daewoo Group has said that technology and distribution agreements between Ssangyong and the German group will continue, pending an appropriate review.

A Daewoo Group spokesman said Ssangyong's product line is entirely complementary with Daewoo products and will be an excellent mix. Ssangyong makes recreational and cargo vehicles and has recently launched a luxury sedan in Korea.

The Managing Director of Daewoo Automotive Australia, Ric Hull, said: "It is a welcome development, and will present exciting opportunities for Daewoo. It is too early to say what impact the takeover will have in Australia, however Daewoo Group has said it will undertake a complete analysis of Ssangyong's position before proposing any changes to Ssangyong's current business plan."

Chohung Bank, one of Ssangyong's major creditors, has said the takeover will be finalised by December 15, and that Daewoo would assume debts related to capital investments, foreign exchange loans and leasing.

[Hudson]

Yes...I remember when this was released. I also know that Ssangyong still operates as a separate entity and nothing has been made of any ownership of Ssangyong by Daewoo in all of Daewoo's bankrupcy proceedings.

They may have taken that 53% stake, but it's also possible that they have since reduced it. Talk at the time was that Daewoo would absorb Ssangyong, but it never happened.

[mel_zets]

hello all,

thought you might want to hear from someonwe in the know, family member works for daewoo. there were several korandos and mussos in the US leaglly for testing, but the deal with ssangyong fell through, and the wont be coming to the states. they were recently crushed.

i've ridden in both, even had 'em in my driveway, and they were both very nice. the korando was a very special treat, it felt nothing like a korean car. it was VERY heavy, and VERY sturdy. it uses a powerful mercedes straight six gas motor, and guzzles gas. i was very impressed with it when we took it on a li'l offroad adenture in a local construction site at night.

there still might be a chance for the musso to come out, but it's probably not going to happen.

as for the chairman, it can't e brouht out because it's under license from mercedes, and they don't want any competition. there is only one in the us, it's driven by the president of daewoo motor america.

if you have any questions, you might ask the pr dept. at www.daewoous.com, i'm not sure what they want to say, i might have said more than i'm supposed to, so i'll stop here.

bob

[Euro19]

hmmm thanx, that´s quite interesting information. I´ve tested the Musso flat-6 too and that thing is very fast for its category (local magazines says it too). Both the Korando and Musso have quality and roominess etc that has nothing to envy Grand Cherokees or Explorers. It´s a shame they aren´t delivered to USA, I´m sure they would have succeed. oh well the Daewoo Textron SUV is coming somewhere this year or soon next year.

[Hudson]

mel_zets:

Why would Daewoo know anything about Ssangyong vehicles coming to the US? Daewoo attempted to take over Ssangyong, but the deal fell through. Since 2000, the two companies are completely independent of one another. If Ssanyong vehicles were ever to come to the US, they'd have to a) make a deal with some manufacturer already selling here or b) start their own dealership network.

Euro19:

"Flat 6?" You mean "inline six?"