SsangYong reborn! TCCCI takes over Philippine distributorship of KG Mobility, sales start Oct. 2023

The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI) has officially taken over the distributorship of South Korean car brand KG Mobility, formerly known as SsangYong.

The company announced in an October 2023 press statement that the agreement between the two firms was formalized in the middle of the third quarter of 2023, leading to the establishment of KG Mobility Philippines. 

"We are optimistic that the local motoring public will respond positively to our portfolio of product offerings, and we are likewise eager to grow KGM PH into a household name for expertly crafted, reliable, Korean-made automobiles,” said TCCCI board chair Jose Cuisia Jr.

KG Mobility Philippines will hold its official brand launch by March 2024, but retail sales and afterservice operations were kicked off on October 2023.

TCCCI is the Philippine importer and distributor of Chevrolet and Volvo. The group used to handle Chinese auto brand MG until mother brand SAIC took over local operations on July 2023.

Meanwhile, SsangYong was renamed KG Mobility on March 2023 after the KG Group, a conglomerate with businesses ranging from fertilizers to steelworks and fast food, bought a 61.86 percent majority stake from former SsangYong owners Mahindra.

The sale allowed the ailing South Korean carmaker to pay off 299.4 billion won (around Php 12.57 billion, as of press time) of debt on November 2022. SsangYong filed for bankruptcy on December 2020, the second time within two decades after it had also filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

What KG Mobility has to offer

To cement a foothold in the Philippine market, the new brand is set to officially debut a five-model lineup in the Philippines, which will happen sometime in the fourth quarter of 2023.

These new models include the Tivoli, Tivoli Grand, Torres, Rexton and Musso Grand. The first three are small crossover SUVs, while the latter are a 7-seater SUV and a pick-up truck, respectively.

All KG Mobility Philippines units will have a 5-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty. With the variety of this initial offering, KG Mobility Philippines said it aims to satisfy multiple customer segments made up of discerning individuals with varied needs and preferences. 

"Products from Korea, including automobiles, are recognized around the world for their outstanding build quality, aesthetic refinement, and for being curated with expert oversight -- merits which we are sure will endear Filipinos towards KG Mobility Philippines' appealing lineup of vehicles," said KG Mobility Korea executive managing director Ki Young Hwang.

"We look with anticipation towards the growth and development of KG Mobility Philippines," he added.

12 dealers nationwide by end-2024

KG Mobility Philippines is also looking to establish a national dealer network to provide sales and aftersales support to clients across the archipelago.

These new facilities will provide customers with the necessary support, including a one-hour service for period maintenance or home vehicle servicing packages. The brand also offers 24/7 emergency roadside assistance via its KG Mobility Philippines customer support hotline. 

In addition, the carmaker also plans to do pop-up concept road shows in leading business and lifestyle hubs in the National Capital Region, which is where the bulk of KG Mobility Philippines' target market will come from.

Do you think iconic nameplates like the Rexton and the Musso will stick around for longer this time around?

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AutoFun Philippines Senior Writer VJ Bacungan contributed to this report.