SsangYong Motor Co. has announced its plans to commence the assembly of its sport-utility vehicles in India in 2012 with a view to avoid high import tariffs imposed by the Indian government on completely built units (CBU). According to SsangYong Motor President Mr. Lee Yoo-il, India will be the first market where the company will be selling its car models as completely knocked down units (CKD).
Among the cars to be assembled in India are the Rexton SUV powered by a 2.7-liter diesel engine which will be assembled in the second half of 2012, the Korando C SUV powered by a 2.0 liter diesel engine which will come to India in 2013. The assembly will take place at the parent company Mahindra & Mahindra’s Chakan plant near Pune. The company expects to sell 10,000 units of its cars by 2014.