Corée du Sud
KGM
KGM (KG Mobility) is a South Korean automaker whose roots go back to 1954, the year Ha Dong-hwan founded a vehicle-manufacturing workshop in Seoul. In 1962, a second company, Dongbang Motor, was created, and the two merged in 1963 under the name Ha Dong-hwan Motor. The company became Dong-A Motor in 1977, took control of the coachbuilder Keohwa in 1984, and then came under the control of the conglomerate (chaebol) SsangYong Group in 1986. It adopted the name SsangYong Motor in 1988, the brand under which it became known for more than three decades, notably for its rugged sport-utility vehicles. The ownership history has been turbulent: SsangYong passed successively under the control of Daewoo Motors, China's SAIC Motor, and then India's Mahindra & Mahindra starting in 2011. After financial difficulties and a court-led restructuring, the South Korean conglomerate KG Group (active in chemicals, steel and media) obtained approval from the Korean authorities in August 2022 to acquire a majority stake of about 61%. The company was officially renamed KG Mobility (KGM) in March 2023, a name change intended to turn the page on the difficult image associated with SsangYong and to mark a fresh start. Today, KGM focuses on sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks, with a gradual electrification strategy. The brand has a presence in Europe, Australia, Korea and Southeast Asia, but is not officially distributed in North America. Several attempts to enter the United States (and incidentally Canada and Mexico) have failed over the years, due to a lack of financing and a distribution network; under KGM, the North American projects have been set aside in favor of strengthening existing markets. In Quebec, the brand therefore remains absent from the official new-vehicle market.
ActivePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireCoréennes
History
History of KGM
KGM (KG Mobility) is a South Korean automaker whose roots go back to 1954, the year Ha Dong-hwan founded a vehicle-manufacturing workshop in Seoul. In 1962, a second company, Dongbang Motor, was created, and the two merged in 1963 under the name Ha Dong-hwan Motor. The company became Dong-A Motor in 1977, took control of the coachbuilder Keohwa in 1984, and then came under the control of the conglomerate (chaebol) SsangYong Group in 1986. It adopted the name SsangYong Motor in 1988, the brand under which it became known for more than three decades, notably for its rugged sport-utility vehicles. The ownership history has been turbulent: SsangYong passed successively under the control of Daewoo Motors, China's SAIC Motor, and then India's Mahindra & Mahindra starting in 2011. After financial difficulties and a court-led restructuring, the South Korean conglomerate KG Group (active in chemicals, steel and media) obtained approval from the Korean authorities in August 2022 to acquire a majority stake of about 61%. The company was officially renamed KG Mobility (KGM) in March 2023, a name change intended to turn the page on the difficult image associated with SsangYong and to mark a fresh start. Today, KGM focuses on sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks, with a gradual electrification strategy. The brand has a presence in Europe, Australia, Korea and Southeast Asia, but is not officially distributed in North America. Several attempts to enter the United States (and incidentally Canada and Mexico) have failed over the years, due to a lack of financing and a distribution network; under KGM, the North American projects have been set aside in favor of strengthening existing markets. In Quebec, the brand therefore remains absent from the official new-vehicle market.
Public founding or origin of KGM.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
KGM relies on a dual approach: body-on-frame utility vehicles for the Rexton and the Musso pickup, rugged and built for towing, and unibody platforms for more urban SUVs such as the Korando, the Tivoli and the Torres. On the powertrain side, the lineup combines turbocharged gasoline engines (notably 1.5 L) and diesels, generally paired with six-speed automatic transmissions. Electrification is ramping up with the Torres EVX, the brand's first fully electric SUV, and an electric pickup developed in collaboration with China's BYD for the batteries. The brand emphasizes advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) and deploys a suite of driver-assistance features (emergency braking, lane keeping) on its recent models.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A South Korean automaker specializing in rugged sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks at competitive prices, absent from the official North American market.
Reputation
KGM's reputation is in transition. Under SsangYong, the brand suffered from a second-tier image and low resale value, despite diesel mechanicals reputed to be durable. The recent models are making progress: the Korando earned a five-star rating in Euro NCAP testing, a first for the brand. The mechanical reliability of the engines is considered acceptable, but there is little long-term track record on the newest models and on the electric ones. Criticism persists regarding after-sales service, parts availability and the dealer network in certain markets. Value for the equipment level and generous warranties remain the brand's strong selling points.
Strengths
KGM stands out for its rugged body-on-frame SUVs and pickup, well suited to towing and demanding uses, at generally competitive prices. The brand offers extended warranties and generous equipment for the price, and is beginning to electrify with the Torres EVX. Its value positioning appeals to buyers looking for something substantial without the premium-brand markup.
Points to watch
The main point to watch is the lack of an official presence in North America: no network, no parts and no warranty in Quebec. Resale value remains low, the brand image is being rebuilt after SsangYong's difficult past, and there is little long-term track record on the reliability of the recent and electric models. Refinement and energy efficiency still lag behind the major established automakers.
Models
KGM models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
KGM's industrial heart is the Pyeongtaek plant in South Korea, which opened in 1979. This vast site of roughly 860,000 square meters has a theoretical capacity of about 250,000 vehicles per year and assembles most of the lineup (Tivoli, Korando, Rexton, Musso, Torres). KGM exports its vehicles and carries out local (CKD) assembly in certain emerging markets. In North America, KGM operates no plant and does not officially distribute its vehicles: the attempts to establish itself in the United States and Canada have all failed, and the brand concentrates its efforts on Europe, Australia, Korea and Southeast Asia.
Tires and wheels
The brand's compact SUVs (Tivoli, Korando) generally run on 16- to 18-inch wheels, while the larger models (Rexton, Torres) and the Musso pickup often mount 18- to 20-inch wheels. Korean vehicles frequently use a 5-lug bolt pattern, but you should always confirm the exact bolt pattern and center bore depending on the model and year before purchasing any wheels. In Quebec, dedicated winter tires are mandatory and essential: for the heavier SUVs and the pickup, opt for a winter setup suited to the load. Keep dimensions equivalent to the original fitment to preserve speed, calibration and assistance systems.