Ssangyong Sets Sales Record in July; May Share Platforms With Mahindra

Ssangyong reports its highest 1-month sales result in the Korean utility-vehicle maker’s history, with 10,763 deliveries in July, including 7,257 units shipped to export markets.

“After the first half, when we reported the best performance since 2007, we went on to achieve a monthly sales record in July,” Ssangyong CEO Lee Yoo-ill says in a statement.

Ssangyong C200 introduced in November.

“Given that we are resuming exports to China this month, this upward trend will likely intensify during the second half of this year.”

Ssangyong is investing 240 billion won ($222 million) in new-product development, intensified marketing and brand development, Lee says.

However, he does not mention jointly developing new platforms with Indian parent Mahindra & Mahindra, which acquired Ssangyong last year for 522.5 billion won ($483.5 million).

Reports from India quote Ssangyong Chairman Pawan Goenka, who also is president of Mahindra & Mahindra, as saying common platform development is vital to the turnaround at the formerly bankrupt Ssangyong, as well as in attaining needed synergy for both auto makers.

Media reports in India say product engineers from both companies are working together to develop common platforms that can be used for future vehicles.

A Ssangyong spokesman tells Ward’s there is “nothing specific” to report about joint-product development plans with Mahindra. “We have no facts at this time. Perhaps at another time we will have something, but not yet.”

Goenka reportedly says he expects Ssangyong’s global sales for 2011 to top out at 120,000 units, a 48% rise over prior-year. The auto maker reported 65,763 deliveries for the year’s first seven months.