Perhaps even those strongest can and do suffer along with the rest. Toyota has announced at a press conference that it is forecasting its first-ever annual operating loss, while Korean manufacturer SsangYong says it cannot pay its employees.
Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe said, “The company [Toyota] is facing an unprecedented crisis where it cannot avoid posting an operating deficit in this term. We will have to build on the company’s strengths to ensure profit.
“The company has decided to either delay or review almost all projects aimed at expanding production ability or building new plants,” Mr Watanabe said.
Unsurprising, given the announcement of the TRD performance brand being axed in Australia.
However further north, Ssangyong has also succumbed to the global credit crunch with a letter going out to all staff explaining a deficit of more than US$77 million.
“Due to lack of operating funds for December, it is impossible for the company to pay salaries any longer”, the letter said.
A mass restructure of the company, which is majority Chinese owned, has also taken place with staff being sacked and three divisions being merged into one. Interesting times ahead, to be sure.
Automotive importer Sime Darby Pty Ltd has a new managing director this morning with Rob Dommerson having been appointed head of the newly formed group who represent the interests of Peugeot and SsangYong here in Australia.
The creation of this new organisation will provide a platform for the expanded Sime Motors business in this country and offer additional head office support for both franchises.
Mr Dommerson was previously Managing Director of Peugeot Automobiles Australia, a position which he had held since 2001. Under his guidance Peugeot sales in Australia have almost tripled, and awareness of the brand has risen significantly.
“I am very pleased to be leading the expansion of Sime Darby in the Australian automotive market, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time heading up the Peugeot brand”. Dommerson was quoted as saying, “With a team of dedicated staff and a professional dealer network we have certainly grown the brand considerably, and I am confident of its continued success moving forward. I am looking forward to the new challenges of further growing the Sime Darby Motors business in this country”.
Ken Thomas, previously National Sales Manager for Peugeot Automobiles Australia has been appointed as the new General Manager/Director of the company. Thomas has been an integral part of Peugeot’s growth, having held the Sales Management role for the past seven years.
Mr Thomas comes to his new position with a wealth of industry experience having held senior positions for several automotive brands.
“I would like to congratulate Rob on his appointment and for the great success he has achieved since 2001″. Thomas said, “I am looking forward to heading up Peugeot Automobiles Australia, and I believe with our range of stylish, safe, economical and affordable cars, we are well placed to continue the success story for brand in the coming years.”
The CarAdvice team wish to offer both Rob and Ken the all very best in their new roles.
Smooth Ride, Good Fuel Economy, Comfortable Seats, Quiet Cabin Steering Ratio, Obtuse Styling, Cabin Odour, Short Service Intervals
CarAdvice Rating:
- by Matt Brogan
Heckling is something usually reserved for amateur night at the comedy club, unless of course you happen to be driving a SsangYong Sports for the week. While stopped at a set of Melbourne traffic lights I actually had a bloke yell from an adjacent construction site “That looks like half a funking rhino”. I couldn’t help but wonder which half.
Despite that little nugget of bogan wisdom, the Sports does actually have some merit. Granted it may be a tad interesting in the looks department and the cabin smells like the inside of a school boy’s gym bag, but it does have a few saving graces, so bear with me on this one.
Though before we get to the good bits, let’s tackle the big one. The glaringly obvious, can’t help but notice, what were they thinking “rhino” styling cues.
It’s one thing to stand out for the crowd and challenge convention, but in the case of the Sports the looks just don’t gel. There’s no real theme, no flow of ideas and though I am a big fan of individuality, being different for difference’s sake isn’t going to win you too many friends – or sales.
The avian-esque headlights, over-sized deep-set grille, bulbous bonnet and contrastingly flat profile do little to compliment one another and from behind, the appearance is just plain awkward. Still, it is a practical unit and has a slightly agricultural feel to it that gives the impression it won’t mind a few cuts and bruises.
Inside, apart from an overwhelming urethane odour, the layout is simple, seemingly durable and reasonably generous in terms of proportion. Switch gear feels a little on the cheap side and the park brake position seriously needs addressing (LHD origin very clear) but otherwise it’s easy enough to live with.
A grab handle on the “A” pillar would not have gone astray, likewise the instrumentation and panel lighting could have done with a dimmer control, and there’s no doubt the rear seat passengers will get a sun burnt neck given the seat’s proximity to the very upright rear windscreen, but otherwise it’s a practical space that’s surprisingly quiet (when cruising) and reasonably comfortable.
To add to that, you get a single CD tuner - which sadly has poor reception and rather dull sound, cruise control, power windows and heated power mirrors, tilt adjustable leather bound steering wheel with cruise, remote audio and transmission controls, two 12V power outlets, air-conditioning, and remote central locking.
Outside Sports picks up adjustable halogen headlamps, front fog lamps, rear mud flaps, 16-inch alloy wheels and a tub liner with restraint hooks to round out the feature list.
SsangYong has earned an unwanted reputation as the maker of some of the most visually-challenged cars on the market - but that could be about to change.
The brand has unveiled the first rendering of its new C200 urban compact SUV concept which will make its official debut at the Paris motor show.
The C200 is powered by a 130kW 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a new six-speed manual transmission.
While the concept uses SsangYong’s intelligent full-time four-wheel drive technology, the production model is likely to feature a two-wheel drive model in its range - a first for the brand - to enhance customer choice.
SsangYong also promises the C200 will be environment-friendly, with low CO2 emissions which meet the EURO V European exhaust emissions regulations.
This is the first of no doubt many new models from SsangYong aimed at turning the struggling brand around - who would have guessed all they had to do was hire a designer?
It also shows the strong influences of SsangYong’s Chinese owners who will use the Korean maker to infiltrate a range of Chinese based vehicles onto the worldwide market.
SsangYong Motors Australasia has just announced the company will transfer all Australian distribution rights for SsangYong motor vehicles and parts to Sime Darby. SsangYong said in a statement that an official date is yet to be set, however it is expected before month’s end.
Under the current system, SsangYong cars and parts are distributed by SsangYong Motors Australasia under the vision of its principals Russell Burling and Vince Barbagallo. With Russell Burling also in charge of SsangYong in New Zealand. Vince Barbagallo, is part of the Barbagallo group of dealers and the SsangYong dealer in Perth.
“We see Sime Darby as the best candidate in the market to take the SsangYong business to the next level and look forward to working with them,” said Russell Burling and Vince Barbagallo in a joint statement.
From Sime Darby Motors’s point of view, taking on board SsangYong allows the company to significantly increase its presence in Australia. The company’s Motor Division Executive Vice President Lawrence Lee said the Group had been looking to expand its motor operations in Australia and had decided to move into segments of the market in which it did not operate.
“In SsangYong we see a strong Pickup and SUV product offering that has significant opportunity for growth. Its established credentials for making solid products in these segments, and the extent to which it does so as its specialty, is something that we intend to capitalise on. Its availability of Pickup and SUV in 2WD or 4WD, with Diesel engines in both manual and automatic transmission is also something quite unique,” he said.
Sime Darby has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s, the company is now a majority Malaysian owned and registered business with diversified operations in over 20 countries.
Apart from motor vehicles, Sime Darby also deals in plantations, property, industrial equipment, energy and utilities, and healthcare.
Full of Features, Smooth Auto Transmission, Roomy second Row Awkward Appearance, Rough and Noisy Ride, Quality Issues
CarAdvice Rating:
- by Matt Brogan
SsangYong proudly announces the latest version of the Stavic as a luxurious yet affordable large sized MPV, and if you were to take the extensive feature list purely on face value then you’d have to agree it’s a sweet deal for the price. But is it really such a bargain, or does the age old adage of getting what you pay for still ring true?
To kick things off, let’s tackle the big one, the not too delicate matter of Stavics’ polarising looks. With large headlights and somewhat classy chrome grille the Mercedes influenced front end is almost bearable in isolation, and if you were to see the car solely from the front you could almost be forgiven for thinking it’s quite smart to look at. But start to get a little profile in to the picture, or worse still wander round the back, and everything just becomes a little Pablo Picasso.
And by Picasso I don’t mean that classy little French number either, I mean the having ears where your nose should be kind of Picasso.
The rear window is of particular intrigue, almost seeming like a wedge of glass has been sat atop the curved rear window to form a wagon. It’s a bizarre design but not only does it make for a peculiar exterior, it also deprives the rear passengers from seeing out while at the same time hindering the driver’s blind spot.
So fair enough then, it’s not the prettiest of transport, but unfortunately once inside, things aren’t a great deal better. The ‘pleather’ (plastic leather) trimmed seats have quite a strong odour and the layout whilst seemingly generous lacks headroom in the third row seats.
Luggage space is disappointing considering the overall size of the vehicle too and I think that if you were to head away with seven people and their gear for even a weekend then you’d struggle to find a place for it all.
Driver and passenger seats are rather difficult to get in and out of because there are no grab handles on offer and the seat pad is above the height of an adult’s hip. Short folks, like myself, may find entry and egress quite an aerobic feat. Hardly luxurious.
Korean manufacturer SsangYong has unveiled a new entry level variant of its popular Sports Dual Cab aimed at tradesman looking for a tough no-nonsense workhorse ute at a really low price.
The SsangYong Sports Dual Cab Tradie boasts a value-for-money price tag of just $24,990 for the 4×2 five-speed manual powered by the eco-friendly common rail, 2.0-litre, turbo diesel engine.
Ssangyong says this makes it the best priced dual cab diesel on the market.
To borrow, and bend, a famous phrase the SsangYong Tradie ‘will be available in any colour so long as it is white’ and will be equipped with steel wheels and a front disc/rear drum brake set-up.
SsangYong spokesperson Kylie Claude says that while the Tradie is a low price workhorse it still comes with a swag of standard features including air-conditioning, power windows, remote locking and dual SRS airbags at no extra cost.
It utilises a diesel, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, common rail, turbo engine generating maximum power of 104kW at 4000rpm and maximum torque of 310Nm at 1800rpm, making it ideal as a tough workhorse or a smooth and quiet everyday drive.
As well as its low overall purchase price the Tradie also boasts a low fuel consumption of 8.1L/100km on the combined ADR cycle ensuring the fuel pump price shock is kept to a minimum.
The Sports Dual Cab Tradie also features cloth trim and a no nonsense character while a strong 750kg payload and a standard tray liner making it the ideal business partner for tradesman as well as in mining, construction, forestry or on the farm.
The Tradie will also be available as a 4×4 manual priced at just $27,990, well below the price of many other diesel 4×4 dual cabs on the market.
According to SsangYong Motors Australasia managing director, Russell Burling, the Sports Dual Cab Tradie answers a strong demand from tradesmen, fleet operators and farmers seeking an economical diesel twin cab that doesn’t compromise on safety or performance.
“Clearly there is a demand for a vehicle like this that has less of the creature comforts and a lower price for those seeking a more basic and less luxurious vehicle,” said Mr Burling.
“The Tradie proves that you don’t have to compromise comfort or safety in a basic dual cab ute for under $25,000,” he added.
With improved noise and vibration dampening of the engine and powertrain, the Sports Dual Cab runs much more quietly than other utes while its coil rear springs are unique amongst dual cab utes delivering a quieter and smoother ride without compromising load capacity.
The common rail diesel engine is highly efficient complying with Euro IV standards for low emissions and maximum power with a flat torque curve over the widest possible rpm range for better acceleration both when starting and passing.
The Tradie joins the two other model variants in the SsangYong Sports Dual Cab line up including the standard 4×2 and 4×4 and the range leading SPR 4×4.
SsangYong today held a press conference in Sydney outlining the brands intentions for 2008 and ahead.
The Korean company, which is owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), only sold 2,123 cars last year but intends to move around 3,500 units this year, having revised its specifications and pricing.
To achieve its ambitious aims, SsangYong has just finalised a joint venture with the Barbagallo group to improve efficiency and access to a wider dealer network.
SsangYong is now the first manufacturer in Australia to offer a diesel-only range with Russell Burling, the Director, insisting that Australians are moving towards diesel powered cars at a rapid rate.
The company has introduced new premium SPR variants (SPR stands for Super) which according to Mr Burling have all the boxes ticked from factory. The SPR models feature leather heated and electrically adjustable front seats, automatic lights and rain sensing wipers as well as rear parking sensors and T-tronic automatic transmission.
SsangYong has already landed 08 built stock in showrooms, taking only two weeks to import cars from Korea. All 2008 models will now come with ESP, front and side SRS airbags, Anti Rollover Protection (ARP), Brake-force Assist System(BAS) and Hill Descent control (HDC) as standard equipment.
6 Speed Auto
Climate control air con
leather seats
front power & heated seats
Reverse parking sensors
Auto dimming interior mirror
Rain sensitive wipers
Automatic headlight controls
18″ alloy wheels
SsangYong Kyron $32,990
5-speed manual (auto optional)
Cruise control (auto only)
Dual front & Side curtain SRS airbags
ESP
ARP (Anti rollover protection)
ABS + BAS (brake assist system)
HDC (Hill Descent Control)
Reverse parking sensors
18″ alloy wheels
SsangYong Kyron 2.7 SPR $39,990
5-speed automatic
Climate control air con
Leather seats
Front power & heated seats
3 position memory dirvers seat
auto dimming interior mirror
rain sensitive wipers
automatic headlight controls
luggage cover & net
SsangYong Rexton $35,990
5-speed manual (auto optional)
5 & 7 seater models
Cruise control (auto only)
Dual front & side airbags
ESP
ARP (Anti rollover protection)
ABS + BAS (Brake Assist System)
HDC (Hill Descent control)
16″ Alloy Wheels
SsangYong Rexton SPR $49,990
5-Speed automatic
Leather seats
Front power & heated seats
3 position driver seat memory
body kit / reverse parking sensors
auto dimming interior mirror
rain sensitive wipers
automatic headlight controls
18″ alloy wheels
SsangYong Stavic $32,990
5-speed manual (auto optional)
Cruise Control (auto only)
Climate Control air conditioning
Dual SRS Airbags
ABS + ESP
Headlight levelling device
Reverse parking sensors
16 alloy wheels
SsangYong Stavic SPR $39,990
5-speed auto
leather seats
heated front seats
auto dimming interior mirror
rain sensitive wipers
auto headlight controls
sunroof
SsangYong Actyon $29,990
Automatic as standard
Climate control air con
cruise control
18″ alloy wheels
dual front & side curtain airbags
ESP, ABS, HDC, ARP
reverse parking sensors
Test Model: SsangYong Actyon Sports 4 x 4 Diesel 2.0-litre Limited automatic
Options Fitted: None
Recommended Retail Price: $39,990
On Road Price: Around $43,000
Where it sits: The top version of SsangYong’s unique–looking ute. The range starts at $29,990 for the two-wheel-drive manual with automatic adding $2000.
- by Robert Wilson
SINCE it re-emerged as an independent marque from the wreckage of Daewoo in 2002 SsangYong has been peddling its wares in Australia with modest success. It is the most expensive of the Korean brands, which keeps sales restrained. To pay $13,990 for a Hyundai Getz is one thing, to fork out $49,990 for SsangYong’s flagship Rexton SUV is commitment on another level. About 2300 buyers will make the SsangYong leap of faith in Australia this year
What do they get for their money? Uniqueness. SsangYong follows its own path. Its truck-building heritage shows up in separate chassis underlying all its models and in styling its philosophy seems to follow Oscar Wilde’s dictum that be that the only worse thing than being talked about is not being talked about. Better for an upstart maker to be noticed and reviled than blend into the background.
There is no arguing that SsangYong designs some of the oddest cars in the world. In most cases it seems that one designer draws the front and another the back, resulting in rather peculiar shapes.
The flagship model for the Korean manufacturer is the Chairman, a car designed to offer Mercedes-Benz S-class quality for 1/5th of the price. Having landed in Australia in mid-2005, the Korean made Chairman has struggled in showrooms. But now there is a new one.
The current Chairman makes use of an inline 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine, but the new one gets a V8 - a 5.0-litre V8. Details are sketchy but we know the new Chairman is actually built entirely by SsangYong, doing away with old Mercedes technology (current Chairman uses the previous generation E-class platform).
The current Chairman retails for $56,990 so the V8 should come in at above $60,000, but we won’t know for another two-three years as the W200 luxury sedan will first go on sale in South Korea next year.
The Korean company is now controlled by China’s Shanghai Automotive and plans a massive expansion with up to 30 new SUVs and cars expected by 2011. Keep an eye out for SsangYong as a few of those 30 models will make their way to Australia.
Smooth Ride, Good Fuel Economy, Comfortable Seats, Quiet Cabin
Steering Ratio, Obtuse Styling, Cabin Odour, Short Service Intervals
