SsangYong makes a pitch to grab UK Chevrolet dealers

With GM deciding to withdraw Chevrolet from the UK market in 2015, Korean car maker SsangYong is making a pitch to turn them in to SsangYong dealers.

GM’s decision to drop the Chevrolet brand from the UK and Europe in 2015 to focus on Opel and Vauxhall brands could leave standalone Chevrolet dealers with a problem.

But Korean car maker SsangYong – now owned by India’s Mahindra – are jumping in quickly to propose an alternative for disenfranchised Chevrolet dealers in the UK looking for another brand to fill their showrooms and service bays.

SsangYong say they have openings for new dealerships in England, Scotland and Wales and are looking for dealers principles with Chevrolet franchises to get in touch to see if a deal can be done.

Paul Williams, SsangYong’s CEO in the UK, said:

SsangYong has much to offer dealers looking to add a new value franchise, the difference being that we’re a niche SUV/4×4 specialist and not chasing high volumes or ever higher price points.

We think dealers used to selling Chevrolet will appreciate the Korean quality and reliability of the SsangYong product, as well as our straightforward, no nonsense approach to business.

It’s a decent pitch to gobble up some already established dealer facilities, and a good way to grow SsangYong’s network in the UK more quickly.

We can’t see any Chevrolet dealers who already have a Vauxhall franchise jumping in to bed with SsangYong, but the strong budget offerings – and Mahindra’s deep pockets and plans for growth – could see a number of standalone Chevrolet franchises heading in to SsangYong’s corporate embrace.