As a premier manufacturer of sports utility vehicles (SUV) and recreational vehicles (RV), SsangYong Motor is making an all-out effort that manufactures premium products in leading 4X4 market.

Founded in 1954, it has been manufacturing automobiles for more than five decades. It began its business as a manufacturer of commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles including mixers and fire-fighting trucks.

In 1986, when the SsangYong Group acquisitioned Keohwa Motors specialized in manufacturing jeeps with the brand of Korando, and launched a full-scaled investment in automobile manufacturing. In 1988, it developed a compact 4WD SUV, Korando Family, which was the first SUV manufactured in Korea, opening the era of SUV. Since then it has established its reputation for innovation, leadership, and quality in the SUV field in Korea.

In early 1990s, Mercedes-Benz AG made a capital investment in SsangYong Motor to establish a strategic alliance and make cooperation in technologies, management and distribution. The technical affiliation embraced light commercial vehicles ('91), diesel engines ('93), luxury passenger cars ('93), and gasoline engines ('93). Through the technical and management innovations and the distribution channels that grew out of this alliance, SsangYong Motor had technological competence to develop vehicles employing advanced technologies and launch them in global markets.

n 1993, SsangYong Motor launched Musso, an SUV with unique styling and outstanding performance. In 1994, it inaugurated its engine plant at Changwon to manufacture its own engines. In 1995, after 3 years of co-development with Mercedes-Benz, SsangYong Motor launched Istana (known as MB100), light commercial vehicle. The following year saw another new car launch, the stylish and technologically advanced New Korando.

In 1997, with the launch of a luxury passenger car, the Chairman, SsangYong Motor established its presence in three major sectors of the automobile market with its passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and recreational vehicles.

In late 1997, like all Korean companies, it was severely tested by the economic downturn that affected all Asian countries, it was merged with the Daewoo Group in 1998. After the crisis passed, it was separated from the Daewoo Group in 2000, and established itself as an independent automobile manufacturer again.

Since then, SsangYong Motor initiated corporate restructuring programs and launched a new management campaign, enhancing design and R&D capabilities, rebuilding sales networks and revamping after-sale service programs.

The efforts quickly bore fruits. After it launched Rexton in 2001, Rexton's modern and refined styling coupled with technological advance brought a new life to the Korean SUV market. In late 2003, it launched the luxury passenger sedan, 'New Chairman' and it released 'New Rexton' that mounted on 2.7L common rail diesel engine. Furthermore, in May 2004, it introduced an innovative MPV, Rodius/Stavic.


At present, SsangYong Motor is working to establish strategic alliances with overseas business partners to make inroads into more international markets. With new capital investment, SsangYong Motor is making continuous investment in upgrading the existing products and developing new products.

SsangYong Motor is looking forward to a bright future, providing all vehicles that customers want for daily life, work and leisure.