India's Mahindra vows to become global SUV player

I /  August 24, 2010, 12:03 IST

Indian carmaker Mahindra and Mahindra said today it would use its purchase of South Korea's Ssangyong Motor to become a global player in the sport utility vehicle market.

Pawan Goenka, president of Mahindra's automotive and farm sector, said the merger would help both companies expand in the global market.

"We believe that Ssangyong and Mahindra make powerful companies to create a global SUV brand," he told reporters after the Indian company signed a preliminary agreement to buy a controlling stake in Ssangyong.

Ssangyong, South Korea's smallest carmaker, is mainly a manufacturer of low-priced but robust SUVs such as "Rexton," "Kyron" and "Actyon" that sell globally. It also makes sedans.