Ssangyong News

SsangYong is struggling to make significant headway into Australia’s tough, shrinking market since relaunching as a factory-backed operation in December last year.

Ford’s Ranger ute has stolen the lead in the 4x4 pick-up segment from the evergreen Toyota HiLux, edging ahead in year-to-date sales by just 75 units.

The long-awaited long-wheelbase SsangYong Musso XLV 2019 range is now on sale in Australia, bringing a more practical offer to sit beside the regular version that launched in late 2018.

A facelifted version of the SsangYong Tivoli will debut in Korea within months, with the 2020 model set to introduce 'major changes' compared with the current version.CarsGuide has learned that 80 per cent of the Tivoli will be new as part of the mid-life update, which comes about four-and-a-half years after the debut of the small SUV. It's set to be a lot more significant than simple nip and tuck.That said, the update will come as part of a long life-cycle for the Tivoli small SUV - but the current version is Korea's best-selling model in that segment, outselling the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro. The Tivoli only launched in Australia late in 2018, and it hasn't had any form of serious impact on the sales charts locally, where the Kona easily betters it, along with the Mitsubishi ASX and Subaru XV.But the facelifted version of the Tivoli is set to introduce class-first features - many of which are borrowed from the larger, all-new Korando - including a 10.25-inch digital dashboard display, a 9.2-inch media system, as well as the potential inclusion of the Infinity mood lighting system. New trims and materials are set to be used too. According to Kisup Yun, product manager for SsangYong, the exterior changes for the 2020 Tivoli will also be extensive.Mr Yun told CarsGuide the renewed Tivoli will carry over only the doors, window glass and roof panels - the entire front of the car including the guards, headlights, bumper and bonnet will change. The rear will is also set to see big changes, including new tail-lights and a changed back-end design.It isn't only cosmetic changes for the Korean brand's smallest model, either - Mr Yun said the new Tivoli will also carry the same engine line-up as the all-new Korando.For Australia that means a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 120kW of power and 280Nm of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with the flagship model likely to be offered with a 1.6-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder producing 100kW and 324Nm, also with an automatic transmission but likely offered exclusively with all-wheel drive.  The updated version of the Tivoli is set to arrive on sale in Australia around August 2019.

There will be a new seven-seat SUV in the SsangYong range that will bridge the gap between the all-new mid-sized Korando and the established Rexton large SUV.

The all-new SsangYong Korando mid-sized SUV will hit Aussie showrooms around August 2019, and within 18 months there will be a fully electric version on sale, too.

The SsangYong Tivoli XLV will be phased out globally as the brand rationalises its line-up in preparation for the arrival of the new Korando model.

The adoption of seven years' capped price servicing means that - along with the seven-year warranty and seven years' roadside assistance - SsangYong offers some of the best ownership credentials in the Australian new car market. 

The all-new SsangYong Korando will arrive in Australia in the third quarter of 2019, and it will be available as a fully electric model that the brand is keen to sell Down Under.

Korando set to return to Australia in its third iteration as fully-fledged entry into the ultra-competitive mid-size SUV segment.