SsangYong Motor Company

Founded	1954
Headquarters	Seoul, South Korea
Key people	Hyung-Tak Choi, CEO
Industry	Automotive
Products	Automobiles and Commercial vehicles
Parent	Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation
Website	smotor.com

SsangYong Motor Company (Hangul: 쌍용자동차; Hanja: 雙龍自動車) is the fourth largest South Korean automobile manufacturer.^[1] The name SsangYong means double dragons.

[edit] History

It was founded as Hadonghwan Motor Company in 1954 and started by building jeeps for the US Army. Beginning in 1976, Hadonghwan produced a variety of special purpose vehicles. After changing its name to Dong-A Motor in 1977, it was taken over by Ssangyong Business Group in 1988 and changed its name to SsangYong Motor.

In 1991 it started a technology partnership with Daimler-Benz. Later, it acquired United Kingdom-based specialty car maker Panther Westwinds.

In 1997 Daewoo Motors bought a controlling stake from the Ssangyong Group, only to sell it off again in 2000, because the conglomerate ran into deep financial troubles. In late 2004, the Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC took a 51% stake of SsangYong Motor Company.

In January 2009, after recording a $75.42 million loss, the company was put into receivership. This may have been due to the global economic crisis and shrinking demand.^[2] Company employees and analysts have also blamed SAIC for stealing technology from the company and failing to live up to its promise of continued investment.[1] SAIC denied allegations of technology theft made by company employees,[2]. However, SAIC was charged by the South Korean prosecutor's office for violating company regulations and the South Korean law when it ordered and carried out the transfer of Ssangyong's proprietary technology developed with South Korean government funding over to SAIC researchers.[3]

As of the 08/09 English football season, SsangYong are the main sponsor of former British Gas Business (Southern) Premier League and current Blue Square North League club, Gloucester City A.F.C. They recently signed a new 1 year deal, ensuring their sponsorship until the 10/11 English football season.^[3]

On August 14, 2009, worker strikes finished at the SsangYong factory and production commenced again after 77 days of riots.^[4]

[edit] Model lineup

[edit] Passenger cars and SUVs

SsangYong C200 eco at 2009 Barcelona Motorshow.

• Actyon (2006)
• Actyon Sports (2006)
• Chairman (1997); renamed as Chairman W from 2008
• Family
  • Korando Family
  • New Family
• Kallista
• Korando
• Kyron (2005)
• Musso (1993-2005)
• Musso Sports (2003-2005)
• Rexton (2001-2005)
• Rexton II (2006)
• Rodius/Stavic (2004)

[edit] Commercial vehicles

• SY Truck (based on Mercedes-Benz trucks)
• Transtar (based on the Mercedes-Benz O404)
• Istana (based on the Mercedes-Benz MB100)

[edit] See also

• List of Korean car makers
• Economy of South Korea

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• SsangYong Motor Company English Homepage

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