Korean auto maker Ssangyong is gearing up to induct X100 SUV early next year. X100 is based on XLV SUV that SsangYong displayed recently at the 2014 Beijing International Motor Show. Sources reveal that the five-seat variant of X100 could break cover by January 2015 and a seven seat variant will follow suit later. SsangYong will first launch X100 SUV in European market, under the hood a 1.6 litre petrol engine is likely to be placed. A diesel engine close to same displacement could also be put on offer. X100 five seat variant will be positioned beneath Korando, the new entrant in compact SUV segment will rival against Nissan Ford EcoSport, Nissan Juke and Honda Vezel. Hyundai’s much anticipated ix25 will also join the band wagon, looking at the immense curiosity built around ix25 launch, it seems to turn out a tough competitor for X100 in future.
Currently scanty details are available on X100 SUV, since the vehicle is conceived on XLV, we can infer how the production ready model will appear. Inside the cabin a large infotainment screen and MMI could be equipped. At the 12th edition of Auto Expo, SsangYong exhibited new models and concepts like Rodius and LIV-1 which we hope will be materialized in future. Demand for SsangYong vehicles is still lukewarm in major automotive markets like America and Europe. However with the launch new products lined-up in coming time, the company expects to see a surge in sales in these markets.
In domestic market, SsangYong is witnessing constant growth, in March 2014 the company sold 5,850 units and exported 7,383 units. New Korando C is receiving good response in domestic and overseas markets. The sales momentum has been stable in last three months with equal to or more than 13,000 unit sales in each month. SsangYong also posted sharp growth in Chinese market on the back of Korando C and Acyton with 4,320 unit sales in first quarter of 2014 as against meager 92 unit sales in the same time last year.
In India, a new variant of its SUV, Rexton, dubbed RX6 is expected to be launched soon. This would be the mid level variant in Rexton line-up that currently offers RX5 and RX7. Besides this, a 2.0 litre diesel version of Rexton was also exhibited at the 2014 Auto Expo. This 2.0 litre diesel variant could be introduced as an entry level trim later in the domestic market.
