Ssangyong Motor, South Korea’s smallest automotive manufacturer, is putting plans in place to enter the U.S. market in the next two years—although likely under a different brand name.
The automaker also has filed trademark requests for the words “Luvent” and “Tivoli” with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Ssangyong recently unveiled its Tivoli overseas, a subcompact sport-utility vehicle sized similarly to the Chevrolet Trax and Honda HR-V. A well-placed source said Luvent would be the sedan or hatchback variant from the same small-car platform as the Tivoli.
The Tivoli will launch in the South Korean market in January at the equivalent price of $15,000 with a six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic transmission will add about $1,500 to the cost. The base two-wheel drive Tivoli will come with a 125-hp, 1.6-liter gasoline engine. All-wheel drive and a 1.6-liter diesel variant will be available as part of Ssangyong’s build plan.
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