Ssangyong’s UK distributor remains optimistic Mahindra & Mahindra’s proposed takeover of the bankrupt South Korean automaker will be finalised by October.
“Mahindra made it plain they were keen on acquiring Ssangyong for quite some time as the tender went out in May,” UK importer Koelliker managing director Paul Williams told just-auto. “It is going to take a while but we expect to see it finished by October.
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“Almost immediately Mahindra expressed an interest – it is ambitious in the long term especially globally and you can understand that given the way the Indian economy is expanding.”
Williams noted there were synergies between both companies such as diesel engine and four-wheel drive expertise.
The UK importer also recognised the need for Ssangyong to diversify away from its traditional activities and the takeover would allow the Indians to move into passenger cars “to spread the risk.”
“I was speaking to the factory [in Korea] this morning and we expect some official information on the detail of the process [in the] early part of next week,” said Williams.
Koelliker has 60 points in the UK of which 44 are sales and after-sales centres, but the importer is looking to add to its dealer network now the future of Ssangyong appears to have been secured.
Ssangyong is to launch its new C200 model on 20 September.
