▪Showcased the concept car XLV for the first time in Asia and other main models including Korando C

▪Announced “Rising Dragon Cross China Tour” event, strengthening its SUV brand.

▪ SsangYong will reinforce its product lineup and sales network to achieve its sales target with aggressive marketing.

SsangYong Motor (CEO Yoo-il Lee;http:/www.smotor.com/en/) released its plan to strengthen its presence in China by announcing “Rising Dragon Cross China Tour” marking its 60th anniversary as well as presenting the new concept car 「XLV」 and its strategic models at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

SsangYong showcased 「XLV(eXciting smart-Lifestyle Vehicle)」, the small-sized hybrid SUV concept car 「XLV」, which was unveiled in the 2014 Geneva Motor for the first time in Asia and presented 8 cars in total including the New Korando (named as Korando C in Korea) and the new Actyon.

SsangYong also held the opening ceremony of “Rising Dragon Cross China Tour” as part of its aggressive marketing activities for Chinese market during its press conference, which is a comprehensive test drive event consisting of various programs for the Chinese journalists to visit historical heritage and dealers. The tour will start its journey from Padaling in Great Wall on May 5 and end at Lanzhou on May 17, travelling 2,694km for about 2 weeks

By visiting places relating to “Dragon culture”, such as Luoyang, Yuncheng, Tianshui, a tour is designed to consolidate its reputation as a leading SUV maker in China, and to experience excellent performance of SsangYong products by driving through bad weather and various terrain, SsangYong explained.

And through showcasing 「XLV」, a new strategic model concept car, at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, SsangYong expects to earn brand awareness and strengthen its brand image as SUV specialist in China.

XLV, a concept car which was first released in Asia through the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, is 290mm longer than XIV series, featuring 48V mild hybrid system which combines a 1.6 litre diesel engine with a 10kW electric motor powered by a 500Wh lithium ion battery.

The 2+2+2+1 seating layout is a key feature of this car. The seventh seat moves freely along the centre of the car affording a sense of freedom and allowing communication and space between passengers in the second and third rows of seats. This seat’s free movement adds greatly to the car’s multi-role function.

The design of XLV has been inspired by the association of the power and dynamism of nature, and SsangYong’s new design philosophy, ‘Nature born – 3 Motion’, the central theme of the brand’s vehicle design language that was first articulated in the XIV concept series. Also, 3S-CUBE system, based on Smart-link, Safe-way, Special-sense, is the core technology of SsangYong Motor Company.

By connecting with smart devices,SMART-LINK updates various functions in real time and provides automobile control system.SAFE-WAY guarantees the safe driving, based on Situation Awareness of the road and drivers.SPECIAL-SENSE helps users to select their own designs with a Full-HD Cluster.

In the meantime, SsangYong Motor will more focus on the Chinese SUV market, which has been increasing fast over 40% growth rate.

Followed by 「New Korando C」launching event in Beijing last year, SsangYong Motor also introduced 「New Actyon」 in March to strengthen its SUV line up in the Chinese market.

As a result, SsangYong saw the increase in export volume from 80 units to 4,180 units year-on-year in the first quarter and the company expect that the Chinese market will drive sales performance in the overseas markets in the future

To achieve its sales goal of 15,000 units in China this year and to increase its approach to customers, the company will expand its sales network from 150 to 180 countries and implement various experiential marketing activities such as SsangYong 4x4 driving event.

Along with soaring growth of SUV segment over 40% in the Chinese automotive market last year, SsangYong looks forward to its brighter outlook with newly releasing ‘X100’ next year after its launching of New Korando C as small SUV segment is especially on the fast increasing phase.

Lee Yoo-il, CEO of SsangYong Motor, commented, “Sales of SsangYong have been steadily improving thanks to its successful launch of new products including New Korando C and continuous network reinforcement”, and added, “through success of “Rising Dragon Cross China Tour” event, we will further improve our brand image and assure quality of our products in China”.