SsangYong
Korea’s Specialist in Rugged SUVs: A History of Resilience and Partnerships
Introduction
SsangYong’s story is one of specialization and survival. Unlike its larger Korean counterparts, SsangYong (meaning ‘double dragon’) carved out a niche by focusing primarily on rugged SUVs, crossovers, and pickups. Throughout its history, it has formed technical partnerships with major global players like Mercedes-Benz and Daewoo, leveraging their expertise to build capable and often uniquely styled vehicles. Despite financial struggles and changes in ownership, SsangYong has consistently offered utilitarian, value-focused vehicles for buyers seeking something different from the mainstream.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1954 (as Ha Dong-hwan Motor Workshop) |
| Name Changed | 1988 (to SsangYong Motor) |
| HeadQuarters | Seoul, South Korea |
| Core Focus | SUVs, 4x4s, Pickup Trucks |
| Key PartnerShip | Mercedes-Benz (1990s) |
| Current Status | Owned by KG Group (2023), renamed to KG Mobility |
Iconic SsangYong Engines
- Mercedes-Benz M104 Inline-6 (1990s): The German heart. A 3.2L DOHC inline-six licensed from Mercedes-Benz, used in the first-generation SsangYong Musso.
- Mercedes-Benz OM662 Diesel I4 (1990s): The durable diesel. A 2.9L turbo diesel engine from Mercedes, known for its toughness and used in the Musso and Korando.
- SsangYong XDi Diesel Engines (2000s-Present): The modern diesel family. A range of 2.0L and 2.2L turbo diesel engines developed with Mercedes tech, used in the Rexton, Korando, and Tivoli.
- e-XGi 1.5L Turbo GDI (2020s): The new gasoline engine. A modern turbocharged gasoline engine developed after the Mercedes partnership ended.
Legendary SsangYong Models
- SsangYong Musso (1993-2005): The original SUV. A body-on-frame SUV developed with Mercedes-Benz, using its engines and chassis components. It was a robust and capable off-roader.
- SsangYong Korando (1996-2006, 2010-Present): The compact SUV. The nameplate has existed for decades, evolving from a rugged, Jeep-like vehicle to a modern soft-roader.
- SsangYong Rexton (2001-Present): The flagship SUV. A large body-on-frame SUV that has always offered strong value and off-road capability for its price.
- SsangYong Actyon (2005-2017): The controversial pickup/SUV. Notorious for its extremely unconventional and polarizing styling, it was offered as a pickup truck and a sports pickup (Actyon Sports).
- SsangYong Tivoli (2015-Present): The modern success. A compact crossover that became one of SsangYong’s best-selling models due to its attractive design and value proposition.
- SsangYong Chairman (1997-2011): The luxury sedan. Based heavily on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W124), it was a popular executive car in South Korea.
The Mercedes-Benz Era
The most defining period of SsangYong’s history was its technical partnership with Mercedes-Benz in the 1990s. This alliance provided SsangYong with crucial technology, including engines, transmissions, and chassis components for their first modern vehicles, the Musso and Chairman. This partnership lent SsangYong an air of engineering credibility and allowed them to launch vehicles that were more sophisticated and capable than they could have developed on their own. The influence of Mercedes design, particularly in the interior of the Musso, was clearly visible and became a key selling point.