KG Mobility

WorldBrand briefing

AI supplement

Original synthesis to sit alongside the encyclopedia article below. Not part of Wikipedia; verify facts on Wikipedia when precision matters.

KG Mobility是韩国老牌汽车制造商,前身为双龙汽车,2023年正式更名并归属KG集团。品牌以四驱越野车型和特种车辆生产为核心优势,历经多次资本重组后聚焦新能源转型,目前主销市场覆盖中东、南美等区域。

Key moments

  • 1954Founded as Dong-A Motors, specializing in jeep and commercial vehicle production
  • 1988Renamed to SsangYong Motor, launched first own 4WD SUV Korando Family
  • 2022Acquired by South Korea's KG Group, began restructuring
  • 2023-03Officially rebranded to KG Mobility, partnered with BYD for EV technology
  • 2024-10Signed cooperation agreement with Chery Automobile for joint model development on Chinese platforms
  • 2025-12Partnered with Samsung SDI to co-develop next-generation EV battery packs

Competitive Analysis of KG Mobility

KG Mobility operates in the global automotive sector, facing competition across multiple segments:

  1. Domestic South Korean Rivals: Competes with Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the dominant local player, as well as smaller brands like GM Korea and Renault Samsung Motors. These competitors have larger production scales, more extensive domestic market share, and more mature global sales networks.
  2. Global Mainstream SUV Brands: Faces competition from Japanese brands such as Toyota and Mitsubishi (known for reliable off-road models) and European brands like Volkswagen and Ford, which have stronger brand recognition and more advanced intelligent driving technologies.
  3. New Energy Vehicle Competitors: In the EV space, it competes with local Korean EV makers like Hyundai Ioniq and Kia EV models, as well as global EV leaders such as Tesla and Chinese brands including BYD and Chery, which have more mature EV supply chains and product lineups.

Key Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Advantages: Rich off-road vehicle technology accumulation, mature special vehicle production capabilities, and established sales channels in emerging markets.
  • Disadvantages: Frequent ownership changes leading to unstable product iteration, relatively weak competitiveness in mass-market EV products, and shrinking market share in traditional internal combustion engine vehicle segments.
  • Faces intense competition from domestic Korean giants Hyundai-Kia
  • Competes with global mainstream SUV brands with stronger brand recognition
  • EV segment rivals include BYD, Tesla and local Korean EV manufacturers
  • Owns core off-road and special vehicle technical advantages
  • Struggles with limited brand influence and slow product iteration due to past restructuring

KG Mobility is a long-standing South Korean automotive brand with deep roots in off-road and specialty vehicle manufacturing, emerging from the rebranding of legacy marque SsangYong Motor following its acquisition by KG Group in 2023. The brand maintains a core focus on four-wheel-drive SUVs and specialty vehicle production, while pursuing a strategic pivot toward new energy vehicles to align with global industry decarbonization trends. Its established sales footprint in emerging regions across the Middle East, South America and other markets provides a stable base for ongoing growth efforts post-restructuring.

The brand benefits from decades of accumulated technical expertise in off-road vehicle engineering, a capability that creates a distinct niche against mass-market mainstream automotive competitors. However, it faces structural headwinds from multiple prior ownership changes and capital restructurings, which have disrupted consistent product development cycles and weakened its position in the fast-growing mass-market electric vehicle segment. It competes with much larger players across all core segments, from traditional internal combustion SUVs to new energy models, limiting its overall market penetration.

Against a backdrop of intensifying global automotive consolidation and EV competition, KG Mobility’s brand strength is shaped by its ability to leverage its niche off-road identity while scaling its new energy product lineup. Progress in this transition will be the key determinant of the brand’s long-term strength and market relevance going forward.

Brand leadership

Score: 35/100

KG Mobility holds only a small single-digit share of both the South Korean domestic automotive market and the global overall automotive market, trailing far behind dominant players like Hyundai-Kia, Toyota and Tesla. Its meaningful market leadership is limited exclusively to the niche off-road specialty vehicle segment in select emerging markets, where it maintains a loyal but relatively small customer base.

Customer interaction

Score: 45/100

The brand engages with customers through established regional dealer networks in its core emerging markets, and maintains basic digital marketing and social media presence to connect with off-road vehicle enthusiasts. However, its global customer interaction infrastructure is far less developed than major mass-market brands, with limited personalized engagement and omnichannel service capabilities compared to leading industry players.

Brand momentum

Score: 50/100

Following its 2023 rebranding under KG Group, KG Mobility has renewed investor and market attention, with new product launches focused on electric off-road models driving moderate positive momentum. The brand’s formal pivot to new energy has created clear growth potential, though its momentum is tempered by weak market share gains in the competitive EV segment and lingering market uncertainty from its history of prior restructurings.

Brand stability

Score: 30/100

KG Mobility has undergone multiple ownership changes and capital restructurings over the past two decades, leading to inconsistent product iteration cycles and disrupted long-term marketing investment. While its current ownership under KG Group has brought greater financial stability compared to prior insolvency periods, the brand still lacks the consistent long-term strategic direction enjoyed by larger, more established automotive groups.

Brand heritage

Score: 75/100

The brand traces its automotive manufacturing origins back to the early 1950s through its predecessor SsangYong Motor, giving it over 70 years of continuous history in vehicle production. This long heritage has allowed it to build deep, proprietary technical expertise in off-road vehicle engineering, and creates a baseline of trust among long-time customers in its core emerging markets.

Industry recognition

Score: 40/100

KG Mobility is recognized as a capable niche player specializing in off-road and specialty vehicles within the global automotive industry, but it does not have widespread mainstream brand recognition compared to leading global and Korean automakers. Its new energy vehicle lineup has not yet gained significant industry acclaim or mass market traction to boost its broader industry profile.

Global footprint

Score: 55/100

KG Mobility has established durable sales and distribution networks in high-potential emerging markets across the Middle East, South America and other regions, which generate the majority of its annual sales volume. However, it has limited to no meaningful presence in major developed markets like North America and Western Europe, and lacks the extensive global supply chain and sales infrastructure of large multinational automotive groups.

AI can support structured reasoning around a brand's value drivers based on publicly available market and competitive information. All brand value inferences are illustrative and for preliminary contextual reference only, and do not constitute audited official valuations. For fully verified, audited brand value data and professional analysis for KG Mobility, please contact World Brand Lab directly.

The KG Mobility Corporation (, lit. 'KG Mobility Stock Company'), abbreviated as KGM, is a South Korean automobile manufacturer. It traces its origins back to Dong-A Motor, a manufacturer established in 1954. The company was named SsangYong Motor Company in 1988, following its acquisition in 1986 by the SsangYong Group, a chaebol. Since then, SsangYong Motor has been acquired successively by Daewoo Motors, Chinese manufacturer SAIC Motor, and Indian manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra. In 2022, the company was acquired by South Korean chaebol KG Group and adopted its present name in March 2023. In certain markets, including Australia and Turkey, the company continues to use "Ssangyong" or "KGM Ssangyong" branding.

The company's main focus is sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossover SUVs, and it is transitioning its focus to electric cars. The KGM Commercial manufactures commercial vehicles, including electric buses.

History

Dong-A Motor (1954–1987)

SsangYong originally started out as two separate companies; Ha Dong-hwan Motor Workshop (established in 1954) and Dongbang Motor Co (established in 1962). In mid-1963, the two companies merged into Ha Dong-hwan Motor Co.[5][6]. In 1964, Hadonghwan Motor Company started building jeeps for the US Army as well as trucks and buses. Beginning in 1976, Hadonghwan produced a variety of special purpose vehicles. After changing its name to Dong-A Motor in 1977 and taking control of Keohwa in 1984, it was taken over by SsangYong Business Group in 1986.[7][8]

Keohwa (1981–1984)

Keohwa, Ltd. was a South Korean assembler of Jeeps under licence, mainly for export markets.[9] Its predecessor was the Jeep assembly joint venture of Shinjin Motors and American Motor Corporation (AMC), established in 1974.[10][11] It was spun off as an independent company in 1981, after AMC left the venture and retired the permission to use the Jeep trade mark. In 1983, Jeeps from Keohwa started to be named as "Korando".[11] In 1984, Keohwa was acquired by the predecessor of SsangYong Motor, Dong-A Motor.

SsangYong Motor Company (1986–2023)

After Dong-A Motor was taken over by SsangYong Business Group, Dong-A Motor's name was changed to SsangYong Motor in 1988.[12] In 1987, it acquired United Kingdom-based specialty car maker Panther Westwinds.[12]

In 1991, SsangYong started a technology partnership with Daimler-Benz. The deal was for SsangYong to develop a sport utility vehicle (SUV) with Mercedes-Benz technology. This was supposedly to allow SsangYong to gain footholds in new markets without having to build their own infrastructure (utilizing existing Mercedes-Benz networks) while giving Mercedes a competitor in the then-booming SUV market.[13] This resulted in the Musso, which was sold first by Mercedes-Benz and later by SsangYong.[14]

SsangYong further benefited from this alliance, long after Daimler-Benz stopped selling the Musso, producing a badge engineered version of the Mercedes-Benz MB100, the Istana and using Daimler designs in many other models, including the second-generation Korando (engine and transmission), the Rexton (transmission),[15] the Chairman H (chassis and transmission)[16] and the Kyron (transmission).[17]

Takeover by Daewoo Motors and SAIC

In 1997, Daewoo Motors, now GM Korea, bought a controlling stake from the SsangYong Group, only to sell it off again in 2000, because the conglomerate ran into deep financial troubles. In late 2004, the Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC took a 51% stake of SsangYong Motor Company. In July – August 2006, workers went on strike for 7 weeks to protest SAIC's plans to lay off 554 employees.[18] The strike cost SsangYong 380 billion Won and negotiations ended with workers accepting a wage freeze.[18]

In January 2009, after recording a $75.42 million loss, the company was put into receivership. This may have been due to the global economic crisis and shrinking demand.[19] In response to management's plan to cut 2,600 jobs, a third of the workforce, workers at Ssangyong's main factory stopped work and barricaded themselves inside in protest.[20] One elderly worker died from a cerebral hemorrhage within the first 12 days.[20] The strikes grew violent after water, food, electricity, and medicine were withheld from the strikers and police surrounded the building.[21] Strikers threw Molotov cocktails at police[22] while police used electroshock weapons and allegedly dropped corrosive chemicals on the strikers.[21] On 14 August 2009, worker strikes finished at the SsangYong factory and production commenced again after 77 days of disruption.[23] Company employees and analysts have also blamed SAIC for stealing technology related to hybrid vehicles from the company and failing to live up to its promise of continued investment.[24][25] SAIC denied allegations of technology theft by the company's employees.[26] However, SAIC was charged by the South Korean prosecutor's office for violating company regulations and the South Korean law when it ordered and carried out the transfer of SsangYong's proprietary technology developed with South Korean government funding over to SAIC researchers.[27]

In 2010, Daewoo Motor Sales was dropped by General Motors. The long-time dealership partner then signed a deal with the SsangYong Motor Company to supply new vehicles to sell (specifically the Rodius, Chairman W and Chairman H), in return for the injection of 20 billion KRW ($17.6 million) into the car maker still recovering from bankruptcy. The deal is non-exclusive, meaning SsangYong will also sell vehicles through private dealers.[28]

Takeover by Mahindra Automotive

In April 2010, the company released a statement citing interest of three to four local and foreign companies in acquiring SsangYong Motor Company, resulting in shares rising by 15%.[29] The companies were later revealed to be Mahindra & Mahindra, Ruia Group, SM Aluminum, Seoul Investments and French-owned Renault Samsung Motors of South Korea.[30][31] In August 2010, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited was chosen as the preferred bidder for SsangYong.[32] The acquisition was completed in February 2011[33][34] and cost Mahindra US$463.6 million.[35]

In 2015, SsangYong and KB Capital established a joint venture as the financial affiliate of the former, with the name SY Auto Capital. SsangYong had a 51% stake of the venture and KB Capital a 49%.[36] That year, the company launched the Tivoli, its first car after Mahindra acquisition.[37] Within a year of Tivoli's launch, the company reported its first net profit in 9 years.[38] In 2017, SsangYong sold 106,677 units in domestic sales and 37,008 units in exports, setting a record high in 14 years since 2003, when its annual domestic sales stood at 131,283 units. Out of this, the Tivoli alone contributed over 50,000 units of domestic sales for the company.[39] Mahindra XUV300, which was later launched in 2019 is built on Tivoli's platform, sharing many parts including several metal sheets.

Mahindra also worked with its SsangYong subsidiary to introduce high performance electric vehicles in South Korea for mass-market sales.[40] Mahindra and SsangYong increased their collaboration on engines and electric cars.[41]

On 21 December 2020, SsangYong Motor filed for receivership after Mahindra cut funding to SsangYong due to its outstanding debt.[42] Ssang Yong Motor spokesperson stated that the company owes a total of 315.3 billion won (US$285 million) in overdue debt to financial institutions.[43]

Failed takeover by Edison Motors

In October 2021, it was reported that SsangYong was set to be acquired by electric bus and truck maker Edison Motors (not to be confused with Edison Motors of Canada) which would lead to SsangYong exiting receivership. Edison Motors planned to introduce SsangYong vehicles into the United States, Mexico, and Canada markets by the mid-2020s. Edison Motors also intended to phase-out production and new car sales of fossil fuel-powered SsangYong vehicles by 2030, in favor of producing and selling only electric-powered vehicles by the latter, if acquired.[44][45][46][47] In January 2022, the South Korean courts "approved" Edison Motors' acquisition plan, although the company would be kept in receivership until the transaction were completed.[48] In March 2022, SsangYong said the Edison Motors takeover was cancelled as the latter failed making acquisition payments for that month.[49]

In December 2021, SsangYong signed an agreement with the Chinese BYD Auto to co-develop battery systems for its first electric car (called U100) which would be launched in 2023.[50]

Takeover by the KG Group

In June 2022, the Seoul Bankruptcy Court opted for a consortium (KG Mobility) led by the KG Group as the final bidder to take over SsangYong Motor. The consortium planned to pay 900 billion won ($699.5 million) for SsangYong.[51] In August 2022, South Korea's Free Trade Commission approved KG Group acquisition of a 61% majority stake in SsangYong through the consortium.[52][53] The acquisition payments were completed later that month. In September 2022, the Seoul Bankruptcy Court agreed to SsangYong's receivership exit plan, including issuing new shares in order to pay the creditors.[54] The KG Group was set to start the process to exit SsangYong's receivership in early October and finish the acquisition process on (or before) 14 October, the SsangYong sale deadline. There also were plans to rename SsangYong.[52] After delays, the consortium started the receivership exit procedures on 31 October by requesting the receivership termination to the Seoul Bankruptcy Court.[55] The Court approved the receivership exit on 11 November, finalising the consortium's acquisition.[56]

In December 2022, SsangYong's chairman Kwak Jae-sun said it planned to remove the "SsangYong" name entirely in March 2023 by modifying the articles of association. The company was set to be renamed as "KG Mobility", adopting a new branding and using KG as its marque, to avoid the negative perception of the present name,[57] bypassing its "painful image".[58][59]

Takeover by Daewoo Motors and SAIC

In 1997, Daewoo Motors, now GM Korea, bought a controlling stake from the SsangYong Group, only to sell it off again in 2000, because the conglomerate ran into deep financial troubles. In late 2004, the Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC took a 51% stake of SsangYong Motor Company. In July – August 2006, workers went on strike for 7 weeks to protest SAIC's plans to lay off 554 employees.[18] The strike cost SsangYong 380 billion Won and negotiations ended with workers accepting a wage freeze.[18]

In January 2009, after recording a $75.42 million loss, the company was put into receivership. This may have been due to the global economic crisis and shrinking demand.[19] In response to management's plan to cut 2,600 jobs, a third of the workforce, workers at Ssangyong's main factory stopped work and barricaded themselves inside in protest.[20] One elderly worker died from a cerebral hemorrhage within the first 12 days.[20] The strikes grew violent after water, food, electricity, and medicine were withheld from the strikers and police surrounded the building.[21] Strikers threw Molotov cocktails at police[22] while police used electroshock weapons and allegedly dropped corrosive chemicals on the strikers.[21] On 14 August 2009, worker strikes finished at the SsangYong factory and production commenced again after 77 days of disruption.[23] Company employees and analysts have also blamed SAIC for stealing technology related to hybrid vehicles from the company and failing to live up to its promise of continued investment.[24][25] SAIC denied allegations of technology theft by the company's employees.[26] However, SAIC was charged by the South Korean prosecutor's office for violating company regulations and the South Korean law when it ordered and carried out the transfer of SsangYong's proprietary technology developed with South Korean government funding over to SAIC researchers.[27]

In 2010, Daewoo Motor Sales was dropped by General Motors. The long-time dealership partner then signed a deal with the SsangYong Motor Company to supply new vehicles to sell (specifically the Rodius, Chairman W and Chairman H), in return for the injection of 20 billion KRW ($17.6 million) into the car maker still recovering from bankruptcy. The deal is non-exclusive, meaning SsangYong will also sell vehicles through private dealers.[28]

Takeover by Mahindra Automotive

In April 2010, the company released a statement citing interest of three to four local and foreign companies in acquiring SsangYong Motor Company, resulting in shares rising by 15%.[29] The companies were later revealed to be Mahindra & Mahindra, Ruia Group, SM Aluminum, Seoul Investments and French-owned Renault Samsung Motors of South Korea.[30][31] In August 2010, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited was chosen as the preferred bidder for SsangYong.[32] The acquisition was completed in February 2011[33][34] and cost Mahindra US$463.6 million.[35]

In 2015, SsangYong and KB Capital established a joint venture as the financial affiliate of the former, with the name SY Auto Capital. SsangYong had a 51% stake of the venture and KB Capital a 49%.[36] That year, the company launched the Tivoli, its first car after Mahindra acquisition.[37] Within a year of Tivoli's launch, the company reported its first net profit in 9 years.[38] In 2017, SsangYong sold 106,677 units in domestic sales and 37,008 units in exports, setting a record high in 14 years since 2003, when its annual domestic sales stood at 131,283 units. Out of this, the Tivoli alone contributed over 50,000 units of domestic sales for the company.[39] Mahindra XUV300, which was later launched in 2019 is built on Tivoli's platform, sharing many parts including several metal sheets.

Mahindra also worked with its SsangYong subsidiary to introduce high performance electric vehicles in South Korea for mass-market sales.[40] Mahindra and SsangYong increased their collaboration on engines and electric cars.[41]

On 21 December 2020, SsangYong Motor filed for receivership after Mahindra cut funding to SsangYong due to its outstanding debt.[42] Ssang Yong Motor spokesperson stated that the company owes a total of 315.3 billion won (US$285 million) in overdue debt to financial institutions.[43]

Failed takeover by Edison Motors

In October 2021, it was reported that SsangYong was set to be acquired by electric bus and truck maker Edison Motors (not to be confused with Edison Motors of Canada) which would lead to SsangYong exiting receivership. Edison Motors planned to introduce SsangYong vehicles into the United States, Mexico, and Canada markets by the mid-2020s. Edison Motors also intended to phase-out production and new car sales of fossil fuel-powered SsangYong vehicles by 2030, in favor of producing and selling only electric-powered vehicles by the latter, if acquired.[44][45][46][47] In January 2022, the South Korean courts "approved" Edison Motors' acquisition plan, although the company would be kept in receivership until the transaction were completed.[48] In March 2022, SsangYong said the Edison Motors takeover was cancelled as the latter failed making acquisition payments for that month.[49]

In December 2021, SsangYong signed an agreement with the Chinese BYD Auto to co-develop battery systems for its first electric car (called U100) which would be launched in 2023.[50]

Takeover by the KG Group

In June 2022, the Seoul Bankruptcy Court opted for a consortium (KG Mobility) led by the KG Group as the final bidder to take over SsangYong Motor. The consortium planned to pay 900 billion won ($699.5 million) for SsangYong.[51] In August 2022, South Korea's Free Trade Commission approved KG Group acquisition of a 61% majority stake in SsangYong through the consortium.[52][53] The acquisition payments were completed later that month. In September 2022, the Seoul Bankruptcy Court agreed to SsangYong's receivership exit plan, including issuing new shares in order to pay the creditors.[54] The KG Group was set to start the process to exit SsangYong's receivership in early October and finish the acquisition process on (or before) 14 October, the SsangYong sale deadline. There also were plans to rename SsangYong.[52] After delays, the consortium started the receivership exit procedures on 31 October by requesting the receivership termination to the Seoul Bankruptcy Court.[55] The Court approved the receivership exit on 11 November, finalising the consortium's acquisition.[56]

In December 2022, SsangYong's chairman Kwak Jae-sun said it planned to remove the "SsangYong" name entirely in March 2023 by modifying the articles of association. The company was set to be renamed as "KG Mobility", adopting a new branding and using KG as its marque, to avoid the negative perception of the present name,[57] bypassing its "painful image".[58][59]

KG Mobility (2023–present)

The company adopted the name KG Mobility in March 2023.[60] As the company was renamed, its financial affiliate, SY Auto Capital, was also renamed as KG Capital. In May 2023, KG Group's KG Inicis acquired the 49% KG Capital stake hold by KB Capital and 6% of KG Mobility's share, leaving the latter with a 45% and KG Inicis with a 55%.[36]

The company is developing plans to use technology to gain competitivity on various market segments (especially electric) and enter less developed overseas markets with potential growth (such as Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, or the Middle East) to expand its sales base. In 2022, the company signed a knock-down kit (KD) assembly contract with the Saudi National Automotive Manufacturing Company. In January 2023, it signed another KD contract with NGT, a company from the United Arab Emirates. In March 2023, a third with Vietnamese Kim Long Motors.[61] In March 2023, KG Mobility launched a bid to acquire receivership-bound Edison Motors. In May, it was selected as the preferred bidder.[62] In June, it was reported that SsangYong would be relaunched in Europe under the name KGM, with the cars continuing to wear SsangYong's dragon wing logo on the front. It is thought that the first KGM car in Europe will be a facelifted version of the SsangYong Tivoli, with their range of SUVs being rebranded soon after.[63][64][65]

In April 2023, KG Mobility launched KG S&C, a vehicle parts and conversion division.[66]

In November 2023, it was announced that the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) had rejected the application to register the brand name because it had already been registered in around 30 countries by Cihan Turan. This company is known as a trademark troll. This refers to the registration of brand names without the intention of actually using them, but only in order to exploit the rights and collect the corresponding payments. KG Mobility appealed against this decision and said it would continue to use the KGM name in overseas markets until further notice.[67]

In June 2024, however, The Korea Times reported that KG Mobility was facing difficulties in obtaining the trademark rights for the three-letter abbreviation "KGM".[68] The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office even refused the registration of KGM, because the Turkish government-run General Directorate of Highways, which is written as "Karayolları Genel Müdürlüğü" in Turkish, had been already using the same acronym. The registration of KG Mobility had also been rejected in the country due to Cihan Turan. Even in Korea, the trademark for KGM is also under KIPO's review, following an objection filed in 2023 by KTM, an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, which claims consumers are likely to be confused by the two similar acronyms.

In August 2024, KG Mobility said it has established a sales subsidiary in Germany to strengthen its operations in the European market.[69]

In October 2024, KG Mobility announced that it has signed a strategic partnership co-operation agreement with China's Chery Automobile.[70]

Corporate

Ownership

By April 2023, the controlling shareholder of KG Mobility was KG Mobility Holdings,[71] a wholly owned subsidiary of KG ETS (a KG Group affiliate).[72] In August 2023, KG Mobility Holdings was merged into KG ETS, making KG Mobility a direct subsidiary of the latter.[73] KG ETS holds a 58.84% of KG Mobility and it cannot sell its stake to third parties until April 2026.[71]

Facilities

Offices

  • Head Office – The Head office located in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. R&D Centre, Design Centre, and other departments are located in the Pyeongtaek office
  • Seoul Office – Department under Head office is located in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul

Factories

The present main (assembly) site is located in Pyeongtaek's Chilgoe neighbourhood and was built in 1979. The whole site (including surrounding land) covers 850000 m2 and also includes the aforementioned headquarters and research and development buildings. In 2021, the company started the review process to move the factory elsewhere. In September 2023, it said it plans to sell the present site's land to finance the construction of a new factory in the Pyeongtaek city area, which is set to start in 2024. The new factory is set to have capacity to assemble up to 300,000 vehicles per year in a more integrated way (avoiding the production bottlenecks of the present, older style facility). The new factory would be fully operational by 2028.[74]

  • Pyeongtaek Plant (South Korea) – Main factory. Produces a complete range.
  • Changwon Plant (South Korea) – Engine and parts factory.

Offices

  • Head Office – The Head office located in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. R&D Centre, Design Centre, and other departments are located in the Pyeongtaek office
  • Seoul Office – Department under Head office is located in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul

Factories

The present main (assembly) site is located in Pyeongtaek's Chilgoe neighbourhood and was built in 1979. The whole site (including surrounding land) covers 850000 m2 and also includes the aforementioned headquarters and research and development buildings. In 2021, the company started the review process to move the factory elsewhere. In September 2023, it said it plans to sell the present site's land to finance the construction of a new factory in the Pyeongtaek city area, which is set to start in 2024. The new factory is set to have capacity to assemble up to 300,000 vehicles per year in a more integrated way (avoiding the production bottlenecks of the present, older style facility). The new factory would be fully operational by 2028.[74]

  • Pyeongtaek Plant (South Korea) – Main factory. Produces a complete range.
  • Changwon Plant (South Korea) – Engine and parts factory.

Leadership

  • Ha Dong-hwan (1954–1979)
  • Chung Ki-young (1979–1982)
  • Kim Dong-ho (1982–1984)
  • Jang Doo-seop (1984–1986)
  • Choi Byung-hang (1986–1987)
  • Son Myung-won (1987–1993 and 1995–1997)
  • Kim Suk-Joon (1994–1995)[75]
  • Lee Jong-kyu (1997–1998)
  • Park Dong-kyu (1998–1999)
  • Choi Gye-yong (1999–2000)
  • So Jing-wan (2000–2005)
  • Choi Hyung-tak (2005–2009)[76]
  • Lee Yoo-il (2009–2015)[77]
  • Choi Johng-sik (2015–2019)[78]
  • Byung-tae Yea (2019–2021)[79]
  • Jeong Yong-won (2022–2024)[80]
  • Hwang Ki-young and Park Jang-ho (2024–present)[81]

Automobiles

Vehicle lineup

Production models

Former SsangYong model lineup

Explanatory notes

  • (English)

References

  1. Also written as KG모빌리티 주식회사.^
  2. Annual Report 2013. Korean Automobile Industry Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, retrieved 2013-08-21^
  3. https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-05-13/business/industry/KG-Mobility-appoints-veterans-in-global-sales-production-as-coCEOs-/2045698^
  4. Financial Summary KG Mobility, retrieved 2024-10-22^
  5. Ssangyong Motors smotor.com^
  6. Surajit Ghosh Dastidar. Mahindra and Mahindra's Acquisition of SsangYong Motor Company Vidwat Journal, EBSCO Publishing, 2011, retrieved 2013-08-22^
  7. SsangYong Motor ssangyong.by, retrieved 19 September 2018^
  8. SsangYong – República Dominicana – Avelino Abreu SAS retrieved 19 September 2018^
  9. http://mnews.joins.com/article/1605598#home article.joins.com, JoongAng Ilbo, 1981-11-25, retrieved 2018-03-17^
  10. Joon Kim. http://biz.khan.co.kr/khan_art_view.html?artid=201503222132235&code=920508 biz.khan.co.kr, Kyunghyang Shinmun, 22 March 2015, retrieved 2018-03-17^
  11. http://magazine.kakao.com/ncarzine/carhistory05 Encar Magazine, retrieved 2018-03-17^
  12. Ssangyong Motors smotor.com^
  13. Musso-Mercedes match was a rocky road Drive.com.au, 2000-05-18, retrieved 2009-09-19^
  14. David Morley. Musso-Mercedes match was a rocky road Fairfax Media, 2000-05-18, retrieved 2011-03-21^
  15. Jonathan Hawley. Old-fashioned values Fairfax Media, 2004-07-04, retrieved 2011-03-21^
  16. Bruce Newton. SsangYong Chairman CM600S Fairfax Media, 2005-05-10, retrieved 2011-03-21^
  17. Bruce Newton. SsangYong Kyron Fairfax Media, 2006-05-31, retrieved 2011-03-21^
  18. Ssangyong Motor ends seven-week strike Financial Times, 2006-08-31, retrieved 2021-10-16^
  19. Article from MarketWatch, 2009-01-09, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  20. Ssangyong Motor Closes Main Factory Due to Strike The Korea Times, 2009-05-31, retrieved 2021-10-16^
  21. IndustriALL and UAW demand justice for Ssangyong workers IndustriALL, 2012-10-10, retrieved 2021-10-16^
  22. Ssangyong Motors workers on strike in South Korea The Guardian, 2009-08-04, retrieved 2021-10-16^
  23. INSIDE JoongAng Daily Joongangdaily.joins.com, 2009-08-14, retrieved 2009-09-27^
  24. S.Korea Co Ssangyong Motor Awaits Key Ruling on Turnaround Plan TradingMarkets.com, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  25. Sebastian Blanco. REPORT: SAIC stole hybrid technology, says Ssangyong Autoblog Green, 2009-10-12, retrieved 2011-03-21^
  26. '먹튀 논란' 상하이車 반박 "쌍용車 주장 근거없어" – 아시아경제 Asiae.co.kr, 16 January 2009, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  27. 쌍용차 기술, 中상하이차로 유출 The Dong-A Ilbo, 2009-11-12, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  28. INSIDE JoongAng Daily Joongangdaily.joins.com, 2010-03-24, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  29. Myra P. Saefong. Asia Follows Wall Street Lower The Wall Street Journal, 2010-04-08^
  30. End of speculation: Mahindra enters the fray for ailing Ssangyong Motor | Indian Cars & Motorcycles Blog Indiancarsbikes.in, 2010-05-17, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  31. Business finance news – currency market news – online UK currency markets – financial news – Interactive Investor Iii.co.uk, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  32. Mahindra chosen preferred bidder for Ssangyong Motors Sify, 2010-08-12, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  33. Nandini Sen Gupta. M&M seals $470m Ssangyong deal The Times of India, 2011-02-16, retrieved 2011-02-25^
  34. UPDATE: Mahindra Aims To Complete Ssangyong Acquisition in Four Months The Wall Street Journal, 2010-08-25^
  35. Mahindra reportedly inks deal to buy Ssangyong for $463M Autoblog, 23 November 2010, retrieved 23 November 2010^
  36. Kyung-chan Kim. KG이니시스, KG캐피탈 최대 주주로 올라서…KB캐피탈 보유 지분 49% 인수 Korean Financial Times, 2023-06-02, retrieved 2023-06-20^
  37. SsangYong launches its first compact global SUV Tivoli in Korea mahindra.com, retrieved 2019-01-27^
  38. Ssangyong Motor reports first net profits in 9 years Micro-Ssangyong, 2017-02-16, retrieved 2019-01-27^
  39. SsangYong Motor Global Sales Record 143,685 vehicles in 2017 mahindra.com, retrieved 2018-12-28^
  40. Team GaadiWaadi. Mahindra To Help SsangYong in Developing Electrified Vehicles Gaadiwaadi.com – Car News, Bike News, Reviews, 2017-12-11, retrieved 2018-12-28^
  41. Mahindra-SsangYong ties deepen for new engine, platforms and electric cars Autocar India, retrieved 2018-12-28^
  42. Mahindra's Korean subsidiary Ssangyong Motor files for bankruptcy retrieved 2020-12-21^
  43. 경애 최. SsangYong Motor owes hefty overdue debt as it files for court receivership Yonhap News Agency, 2020-12-22, retrieved 2020-12-26^
  44. SsangYong Set To Be Acquired By Edison Motors Carscoops, 2021-10-20, retrieved 2022-04-11^
  45. SsangYong sold to Korean EV startup Edison Motors – Autobala retrieved 2021-10-21^
  46. SsangYong to be sold to Korean EV startup Edison Motors 10 January 2022^
  47. Edison Motors Aims to Turn Around SsangYong in 3–5 Years | Be Korea-savvy Koreabizwire.com, 22 October 2021, retrieved 2022-04-11^
  48. Court OKs Edison's acquisition of SsangYong Korea Bizwire, 2022-01-10, retrieved 2022-01-12^
  49. SsangYong Motor back on sale as Edison's acquisition fails The Investor, 2022-03-29, retrieved 2022-03-30^
  50. Jin-woo Seo, Ha-yeon Lee. SsangYong Motor joins forces with BYD to gain power to go electric Pulse, 2021-12-22, retrieved 2021-12-24^
  51. South Korean Court Picks KG Group Consortium as Final Bidder for SssangYong Motor marketwatch.com, 2022-06-28^
  52. 쌍용차 품은 곽재선 회장, KG색깔 어떻게 입힐까 Newdaily, 2022-09-01, retrieved 2022-09-02^
  53. Regulator approves SsangYong takeover by KG Group Just Auto, 2022-08-24, retrieved 2022-09-02^
  54. Bankruptcy court approves Ssangyong rehabilitation plan Just Auto, 2022-09-01, retrieved 2022-09-02^
  55. Sang-hyun Lee. 쌍용차, 서울회생법원에 회생절차 종결 신청 Daily Impact, 2022-10-31, retrieved 2022-10-31^
  56. Seong-hook Choi. 쌍용자동차 19개월 만에 회생절차 종결 The Seoul Economic Daily, 2022-11-11, retrieved 2022-11-12^
  57. Ju-hyeon Kang. '쌍용자동차' 사명, 역사 속으로…KG모빌리티 "미래 모빌리티 기업으로 새 출발" DNEWS, 2023-03-22, retrieved 2023-03-22^
  58. SsangYong to change Name To KG Mobility because of 'painful image' Motor1.com, 2023-01-04^
  59. SsangYong Motor To Be Renamed To KG Mobility Carscoops, 4 January 2023^
  60. SsangYong Motor reborn as KG Mobility after takeover Yonhap News Agency, 2023-03-22, retrieved 2023-03-24^
  61. Jae-woong Jung. KG모빌리티, 새 키워드는 '첨단기술'과 '틈새전략' Bizwatch, 2023-04-27, retrieved 2023-06-30^
  62. Ji-wan Lee. KG표 전기버스 나오나...에디슨모터스 인수 잠정 확정 The Economist, 2023-06-29, retrieved 2023-06-30^
  63. KGM is the new name for SsangYong^
  64. Auto Mundial Episode 27 on ITV4 from 5 July 2023^
  65. Auto Mundial - Series other-episodes - Episode 27 - ITVX 5 July 2023^
  66. Sae-jin Park. S. Korea's SUV maker KG Mobility launches special brand for car tuning and customizing parts Aju Korea Daily, 2023-04-18, retrieved 2023-09-26^
  67. KG Mobility may lose its name to trademark troll The Korea Economic Daily, 2023-11-26, retrieved 2023-12-09^
  68. [EXCLUSIVE] KG Mobility faces setback in securing right to use 'KGM' trademark The Korea Times, 2024-06-04, retrieved 2024-06-08^
  69. KG Mobility sets up sales unit in Germany Yonhap News, 2024^
  70. KG Mobility inks partnership with China's Chery Automobile Korea JoongAng, 2024^
  71. Jun-sang Kwon. 상폐 피한 KG모빌리티, 개선 계획 살펴보니 Top Daily, 2023-04-28, retrieved 2023-06-20^
  72. Kwan-shik Shin. 쌍용차 인수한 KG그룹, 핵심기업 KG케미칼 아닌 KG ETS 지주사 추진, 왜? Sejung Ilbo, 2023-06-05, retrieved 2023-06-20^
  73. Ji-yoon Yang. KG ETS, 케이지모빌리티 자회사 편입 Nate News, 2023-08-02, retrieved 2023-09-26^
  74. In-jin Choi. 'KG 모빌리티 새 둥지 찾아 이전' 평택에 부지 마련해 공장 신축한다 Kyunghyang Shinmun, 2023-09-19, retrieved 2023-11-02^
  75. Michael SchumanStaff. Two Brothers Are Divided by Korean Economic Turmoil The Wall Street Journal, December 8, 1998, retrieved 2023-08-15^
  76. Chinese owner replaces SsangYong CEO www.autonews.com, retrieved 2026-02-20^
  77. Ssangyong CEO Lee to step down after six years koreajoongangdaily.joins.com, 2015-01-21, retrieved 2026-02-20^
  78. Ssangyong Motor names new CEO - The Korea Times www.koreatimes.co.kr, 2015-02-11, retrieved 2026-02-20^
  79. Emma Georgiades. SsangYong Motor Company appoints Byung-Tae Yea as new CEO Automotive World, 2019-04-04, retrieved 2026-02-20^
  80. KG Group Chair Kwak, new SsangYong CEO, meets SNAM CEO for KD supply - 매일경제 영문뉴스 펄스(Pulse) Pulse, retrieved 2026-02-20^
  81. KG Mobility Appoints Hwang Gi-young and Park Jang-ho as New CEOs www.asiae.co.kr, 2024-05-13, retrieved 2026-02-20^