▪ Debut of the Chairman W, a super-large flagship sedan, following the release of SUVs, upgrades Ssangyong’s current lineup in China.
▪ Automaker aims to reposition itself on Chinese soil as a luxury brand.
▪ The Chairman W will be sold for 120 million won in China.

Ssangyong Motor(President & CEO Lee Yoo-il; www.smotor.com) held a press conference on Nov. 21 announcing its official launch of the Chairman W at the 9th China (Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition or “Auto Guangzhou 2011” held in Guangzhou, China.

Ssangyong Motor said that unveiling the ultra-large luxurious flagship sedan Chairman W at Auto Guangzhou 2011, following the release of SUVs such as the Korando and the Rexton, is a move to upgrade and strengthen its product lineup in China and facilitate more sales in that country, which boasts the world’s largest car market. Auto Guangzhou 2011 began with a press conference on Nov. 21 and will be open until Nov. 28 at the Guangzhou China Import and Export Fair Complex.

The Chairman W is a CW700 limousine featuring a XGi3600 engine. The car will be sold at a price tag of 698 thousand yuan, or about 120 million won, across China from Nov. 22. Ssangyong expects sales to gradually pick up from initial sales of 150 cars to be delivered in 2012.

In its 770 square-meter booth with the theme, “Two Heroes (Chairman W and Korando) Creating a New Future for Ssangyong,” the company will showcase nine cars including its two concept cars, XIV-1 and SUT-1, which were introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, as well as the Chairman W CW 700 luxury sedan, the Korando , Rexton, and others.

Ssangyong Motor, meanwhile, signed distributor contracts last June with Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., Ltd. and SCAS Motor Service Co., Ltd., both of China.

Last September, Ssangyong began full-fledged marketing in the Chinese car market with the launch of the Korando . The company hopes to increase the share of exports to China from the current 7 percent to around 20 percent by 2013 when the automaker will have about 150 dealerships across China through participation in Chinese motor shows and aggressive marketing activities aimed to enhance Ssangyong’s brand identity in China market.

Choi Johng-sik, vice president of sales and marketing at Ssangyong Motor, said, “The regional launch of Korea’s most luxurious large sedan Chairman W will help improve the sales and brand image of Ssangyong Motor in the Chinese market,” adding, “We will seek to reposition the brand in order to attract Chinese customers who can afford luxurious cars.”