Kgm Torres News

After years of ownership struggles and increased competition from Chinese rivals, Korea’s third-biggest automaker, KGM (formerly SsangYong) has had its strongest sales result in 11 years, posting an operating profit up 336 per cent year-on-year, with exports increasing by 12.7 per cent.In total, the brand sold 110,535 units globally in 2025.It is a radical turn-around for a brand that only a few years ago was rapidly running out of options after an elongated sale process from previous owner, Mahindra Group.At the time, the debt-laden automaker was struggling to find new owners, and was facing bankruptcy and re-structure.The once-embattled Korean brand’s new owner, KG Group, has turned an ailing ship around, injecting new life into its range of popular and historically value-positioned utes, 4x4s, and SUVs.Despite this saga, which dragged on for years, the brand known as SsangYong at the time was comparatively thriving in Australia as a niche but solid value player. Its diesel-powered Musso ute and Rexton 4x4 continued to sell in decent numbers, with its range of SUVs faring less well since the arrival of even more aggressively priced options from China.First off the rank for KGM’s re-boot in Australia was the Torres mid-size SUV, which replaced the Korando in combustion, hybrid, and EV forms, followed by the resurrected Actyon nameplate as an upper-mid-size SUV in combustion and now hybrid guise.It also recently added Australia’s first monocoque electric ute, the Musso EV, and the brand is now on the cusp of launching its next-generation replacement for the larger diesel Musso ute, codenamed Q300, as part of an expanded Musso sub-brand that's expected to spawn a larger pick-up truck.The next-generation diesel Musso will launch in Korea imminently, with an Australian launch no doubt not far behind.While KGM is now facing particularly tough competition in Australia with the rise of Chinese hybrid and electric options in many of the same market segments, a lot of KGM’s global success is coming from markets in Europe and South America.The brand said newly launched hybrid versions of its range were a major source of growth, now accounting for nearly a third of its global sales.In Australia last year, KGM was down 23.7 per cent year-on-year, with 4116 sales. This places it in a similar mid-tier sales bracket to Geely, Omoda Jaecoo, and Skoda. The brand is no doubt hoping the next-gen diesel Musso will reignite sales as it and many brands struggle for relevancy in a changing market. The Musso 4x4 ute is the brand’s best seller, accounting for nearly half of its volume in Australia over the course of 2025, with the related Rexton 4x4 SUV accounting for a third of the brand’s volume last year.However, while KGM faces tough competition from its Chinese rivals, that hasn’t stopped it tapping into some of the most renowned brands for technology, which should pay dividends in the future.For example, KGM has an arrangement with BYD to source its signature lithium iron phosphate (LFP) ‘Blade’ batteries, and has also established a partnership with Chery to develop a vehicle on the Chinese giant’s new platform and gain access to its hybrid tech.Stay tuned for more on KGM’s plans for the diesel Musso ute later in 2026.

A new all-electric SUV has just landed.

Another hybrid SUV will join the increasingly popular segment.

Two new EVs from a Korean carmaker will hit Australian showrooms in 2025.

A new hybrid SUV is headed to Australian shores. KGM’s (formerly known as SsangYong) Torres Hybrid has just launched in the United Kingdom and could blow open the hybrid SUV market when it arrives this year. The Torres Hybrid will start from £35,995 in the UK (around $75,000), but it won't be that pricey in Australia. It is believed the Torres hybrid will arrive next year in two variants, priced at less than $50,000. It is powered by BYD’s 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol hybrid system that produces 130kW and 300Nm, with a combined fuel use of 6.1L/100km KGM has been selling Torres petrol variants in Australia since 2024, with a drive-away price of $38,000 for the entry-level model, although it has only mustered 248 sales in 2025. Australian buyers are increasingly gravitating towards hybrid vehicles, with sales up more than 10 per cent this year. Sales of hybrid vehicles account for more than 15 per cent of all new cars sold through the first nine months of 2025.Carmakers are responding to this demand with a dramatic increase in options in the past two years.MG recently launched the HS Hybrid+, which will be a direct rival to Torres Hybrid in Australia, starting from $40,990 (before on-road costs). The Torres will also have to battle for market share with the Cherry Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid that has a drive-away price of $39,990 and the Haval H6 Lux hybrid at $38,990 drive-away. These options are in addition to the popular Toyota RAV4 that leads the SUV sales, with more than 2500 sold up to September 2025. According to a KGM Australia spokesperson, the hybrid Torres will be joined by an all-electric variant this year, too.KGM also confirmed its all-electric Musso ute will launch before the end of 2025.