By Kim Da-ye
SsangYong Motor launched an upgraded model of the luxury sedan Chairman W Wednesday.
The vehicle, a popular choice with Korean executives, has had the design of the front and the back modified with a sleek, fluidic touch while adopting the “electric energy management” system to improve fuel efficiency.
The most noticeable change is the grille with vertical bars while the previous model had them arranged horizontally.
“Consumers liked the horizontal bars because it reminded them of Mercedes-Benzes. We decided to change that, and the reaction is surprisingly good,” a senior official in charge of development said.
SsangYong and Mercedes-Benz had a technical partnership, and the most expensive version of the new Chairman W comes with a five-liter V8 engine developed by the German auto manufacturer.
Korea’s smallest automaker has high hopes for the model as its launch will be crucial for the firm to achieve this year’s target.
SsangYong sold 55,800 vehicles in the first half including exports. It aims to sell more than 65,000 in the second half to achieve its annual target of 121,000.
“The Korando C sports utility vehicle launched in March and the Chairman H New Classic released in May were well received in the market. With the launch of the new Chairman W, we believe our target for the second half and this year will be easily achieved,” the automaker said in a statement.
In August, the new Chairman W and the Korando C will be exported to China, and the company aims to sell there more than 6,000 cars including existing models.
The prices of the new Chairman W ranges between 57.4 million and 100.69 million won. The automaker also said it will provide a warranty for 150,000 kilometers for seven years to consumers who purchase it before the end of the year.