Launch of Korando & Actyon Sports marks start of sales

▪ Ssangyong Motor launches the Korando and Actyon Sports in South Africa, marking its foray in the
  country
▪ Ssangyong Motor plans to export 10, 000 vehicles to SA by 2016 and expand its dealerships from 19
  to 30 by the end of this year
▪ Ssangyong Motor considers South Africa a stepping stone to expand sales in Africa and wil
  increase its sales in cooperation with Mahindra.

Ssangyong Motor(President & CEO Lee Yoo-il; www.smotor.com), part of US$14.4 billion Mahindra Group, recently launched the Korando and the Actyon Sports in South Africa, marking start of sales in earnest with Mahindra & Mahindra South Africa Pty Ltd., on April 24.

The launch event was held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Johng-sik Choi, vice president of Ssangyong’s sales division, Ashok Thakur, CEO of Mahindra SA, , and the dealers from each region participated in the event.

There were also test-drives organised for the media.

The launch of the Korando and the Actyon Sports in South Africa was a part of Ssangyong’s strategy to maximize synergy with M&M.. Ssangyong will begin selling its products later this month through Mahindra SA’s sales networks.

Mahindra SA hired extra employees who would manage Ssangyong’s products and sales, and transformed 19 of 47 Mahindra dealerships into dedicated Ssangyong dealerships. The company will increase Ssangyong dealerships from 19 to 30 by the end of this year.

In addition, Ssangyong Motor plans to export 1,000 vehicles this year and 10, 000 vehicles by 2016 to South Africa.

Ssangyong Motor considers South Africa an important stepping stone to expand sales throughout Africa and will continue to focus on increasing sales in cooperation with Mahindra.

Currently, there are 15 distributors (special agents who hold sole selling rights) in 15 African states. The company plans to expand its sales network with 23 distributors in 23 states, with the aim to sell 16, 000 vehicles by 2016.

Ssansyong will introduce two other models, the Rexton and the Rodius, by 2013 and a total of 7 models by 2016 in order to expand its sales in the South Africa market.

Ssansyong first entered the South Africa market in 1996 and has sold 8,000 vehicles in aggregation of which 487 vehicles were sold last year.

Johng-sik Choi, vice president of Ssangyong’s sales division, said “With its significant growth potential, South Africa is a strategic market for us and Ssangyong will enhance its brand equity through its partnership with Mahindra which is already an established name in the market,” adding “Taking South Africa as a stepping stone, Ssangyong will continue to expand sales throughout Africa.”

(Left from right) Mr. Ashok Thakur, CEO of Mahindra SA, Mr. Johng-sik Choi, vice president of Ssangyong’s sales division, Mr. Ruzbeh Irani, EVP Corporate Strategy & Chief Brand Officer at the launch

Mr. Johng-sik Choi, vice president of Ssangyong’s sales division, felicitates Mr. Ashok Thakur, CEO of Mahindra SA on its launch of the Korando & Actyon Sports marks start of sales in SA.