‘Won’t use SsangYong brand here’

Following lukewarm response to the SsangYong Rexton SUV in India, M&M has decided not to launch SsangYong-branded vehicles in the country. Instead, it will use the Korean subsidiary’s expertise to develop and sell SUVs in India under the M&M brand. The launch of Alturas G4, which is the Rexton G4 of SsangYong, is a step this direction.

“The main objective is to get the Korean connect to our vehicles because of the high credibility of the Korean system,” Pawan Goenka, managing director, Mahindra & Mahindra, said. He is also the chairman of SsangYong Motors.

“We have decided not to extend the SsangYong brand in India as not many foreign brands have become successful in India,” he said.

So now, SsangYong’s Tivoli, which is being developed as S201 SUV for Mahindra, will be introduced under the Mahindra brand with a new name early next year.