Mahindra look at SsangYong acquisition
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M&M's press conference in Mumbai (India)
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Mahindra
18th August, 2010
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), India’s leading manufacturer
of utility vehicles, emerged as the preferred bidder for the acquisition of a majority stake in South Korean
SUV maker, Ssangyong Motor Company (SYMC). The preferred bidder status would require it to enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding with SYMC, followed by a detailed due diligence process.
SYMC is a Korean manufacturer of vehicles and aggregates, with 7 models under 5 nameplates. The 7 models
include 2 large sized sedans, 4 SUVs and 1 MPV. It also has a manufacturing plant for petrol and diesel
engines as well as axles.
SYMC is a significant player in the SUV segment in Korea, having recorded 1.3 million SUV sales from 1990
to 2009. It has a presence in Europe, Russia, South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Established in 1962, SYMC has more than 1,200 dealers globally. It has R&D manpower strength of around 600
people and modern R&D infrastructure for design, testing and validation.
This strategic acquisition, when concluded, would make Mahindra and SYMC together a force to reckon with
in the global SUV space. It is intended that SYMC will continue to function as an independent entity with
Korean management.
“Korea is one of the world’s leading centres of automotive excellence and Ssangyong brings with it a
rich legacy of R&D and innovation. Mahindra and Ssangyong will create synergy, which will make us significant
global players,” said Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group.
“Ssanyong has very strong competencies and capabilities in technology. We are committed to leverage
this competency by investing in a new Ssangyong product portfolio to gain momentum in global markets,”
said Dr. Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive and Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
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Accommodation in
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There are strong complementarities between the SYMC and Mahindra portfolio of products, providing an
opportunity to provide distinct positioning. The wide sales and distribution networks and complementary
product lines will provide access to many overseas markets for both companies. There is also an
opportunity to introduce a premium portfolio of SUVs in the Indian market, providing a new growth avenue
for Ssangyong and further strengthening Mahindra’s dominant position.
About The Mahindra Group
Mahindra embarked on its journey in 1945 by assembling the Willys Jeep in India and is now a US $7.1
billion Indian multinational. It employs people across the globe and enjoys a leadership position in
utility vehicles, tractors and information technology, with a significant and growing presence in
financial services, tourism, infrastructure development, trade and logistics. The Mahindra Group is an
embodiment of global excellence and enjoys a strong corporate brand image.
Mahindra is the only Indian company among the top tractor brands in the world. It is today a full-range
player with a presence in almost every segment of the automobile industry, from two-wheelers to CVs, UVs,
SUVs and sedan. Mahindra recently acquired a majority stake in REVA Electric Car Co Ltd. (now called
Mahindra REVA), strengthening its position in the Electric Vehicles domain. The Mahindra Group expanded
its IT portfolio when Tech Mahindra acquired the leading global business and information technology
services company, Satyam Computer Services. The company is now known as Mahindra Satyam.
Mahindra is also one of the few Indian companies to receive an A+ GRI checked rating for its first
Sustainability Report for the year 2007-08 and has also received the A+ GRI rating for the year
2008-09.
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