March Madness From Ssangyong

FLEET, UNITED KINGDOM – February 26, 2010: It’s hares that are supposed to go mad in March, but this year it’s SsangYong dealers who have gone positively bonkers.

For the new registration month, SsangYong is slashing up to £4,500 off selected Kyron, Rexton and Rodius models. The minimum discount is £2,500 off of the Kyron EX auto and Rodius ES auto. So forget the scrappage sheme that offers just £2,000 discount – if you qualify.

But that’s not all. Until the end of March, all SsangYong models are available with five years free servicing, as well as a standard five year warranty, with free satellite navigation and even free automatic transmission on some models.

The biggest discount of £4,500 takes the Kyron 2.7 SPR from a list price of £22,495 to just £17,995. Both the Kyron S auto and the Rexton S auto are reduced by £3,500, taking their on the road prices to £14,995 and £17,995 respectively. And the Kyron EX and Rodius ES autos drop by £2,500 to just £18,495 and £15,995.

The Kyron already represented a considerable saving over its competitors such as the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Chevrolet Captiva before these price reductions. The Kyron S gets air conditioning, electronic stability programme (ESP), hill descent control (HDC), ABS brakes, a Kenwood radio and CD player and steering wheel audio controls. The five auto transmission is mated to the 141 PS turbo diesel with 310 Nm of torque at 2,250rpm. All Kyrons are versatile and practical five-seaters that will tow up to 2.3 metric tons. The extra urban fuel consumption is up to a pleasing 45.6mpg.

The Kyron EX has part-time four wheel drive with the addition of rear parking sensors, electric folding door mirrors, larger alloy wheels, side air bags, leather upholstery and a Kenwood touch screen audio and navigation system. The EX Auto also has cruise control.

For the ultimate in comfort, equipment and go-anywhere four wheel drive ability, the Kyron 2.7 SPR wants for nothing. Its huge towing capability comes from permanent four wheel drive and the newest SsangYong 2.7 litre, turbocharged common rail diesel engine. This gives 165 PS and a thumping 340 Nm of torque at 2,525rpm. With the Mercedes T-Tronic auto transmission, it still returns an extra urban consumption of 34mpg.

All SsangYong Rexton models have all wheel drive and the 2.7 litre common rail turbo diesel engine for big towing capacity and off-road capability. The Rexton squares up against the Mitsubishi Shogun, Landrover Discovery and Jeep Cherokee and whichever way you look at it, offers great value and performance with huge advantages over the competition.

For serious people carrying capacity, SsangYong’s Rodius models come in 2wd and 4wd – all with the 2.7 litre turbo diesel - and with automatic transmission as an option.

A full seven-seater with ample luggage space, the Rodius 270 ES easily undercuts the Kia Sedona even before the price reduction. All Rodius models use the 2.7 litre common rail diesel engine with 165PS and massive torque. Even a vehicle this big can achieve up to 35.8mpg.

The SsangYong range appeals to those looking for a well equipped, immensely practical vehicle who want value for money rather than paying the premium prices demanded by other brands. They are especially suitable for anyone with a regular or occasional need to tow a caravan, boat or horsebox and if you need to venture off the tarmac, SsangYong’s four wheel drive systems will let you do it with ease.

For the nearest dealership call 0845 456 4056 or go to www.ssangyonggb.co.uk.

February News Round-Up
Further evidence of SsangYong Motor’s determination to push forward with court-approved revival plans, emerged this month with the appointment of a consortium as arranger for the sale of a controlling stake in the company.

Led by Samjung KPMG Advisory Inc., the group includes Macquarie Securities and South Korean law firm Shin and Kim. Preliminary bids could be in by as early as June this year. Share dealings in SsangYong were temporarily halted from December 23 to February 11 to allow it to undertake the two rounds of capital reduction as part of its turnaround plan.

Kyron exports for Vietnam
There was more encouraging news from South Korea with the announcement that SsangYong had clinched a deal to export 15,500 Kyrons to Vietnam over the next five years. The cars would be in the form of complete knock-down (CKD) units, to be assembled by Vietnam’s Xuankien Vinaxuki Motor. Export of the CKD kits will start immediately.

SsangYong sales boost
Last month SsangYong achieved sales of 4,421 vehicles – a considerable boost over the 1,644 units recorded in January, 2009. Domestic sales in South Korea were up 75.4% at 2,015 vehicles, while exports more than quadrupled with 2,406 units.

Paul Williams of distributor Koelliker UK Ltd., commented: “Since the South Korean court’s approval of SY Motor’s revival plans in December, there has been steady and encouraging progress in all areas of the business. These are relatively low numbers of course, but they are going in the right direction. SY Motor is placing considerable emphasis on fast product improvement, marketing and the development of new models including diesel hybrids, and our dealers and customers will begin to see real progress this year.”