Korean automaker Ssangyong is planning a Jeep Wrangler rival as a launch vehicle for the U.S., Autocar reports. The automaker, the majority of which is owned by India's Mahindra & Mahindra, is relatively well-known in Europe where it markets a couple of SUVs, though its sales numbers in European countries are very modest.
Reports of a small SUV that will be high on style followed the debut of the Tivoli compact crossover in Europe, which is launching this year. Company sources told Autocar that there is enough spare capacity on the Tivoli production line for another derivative.
Ssangyong has avoided the U.S. until now due to the high level of investment required to manufacture vehicles that would appeal to U.S. buyers.
"Ssangyong is effectively Korea’s answer to Land Rover and Jeep. We need to make better use of the power of our brand," a Ssangyong insider told Autocar.
A Wrangler rival is likely to share powertrains with the Tivoli, which would mean a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and a 1.6-liter diesel engine, in addition to a pure-electric version.
