Rovers get SsangYong badge

The first new model to rise from the ashes of Rover will be badged SsangYong and sold through the Koreans' UK dealers

Auto Express Car Reviews

15th May 2007

Chinese company SAIC - which bought Rover last year and also owns SsangYong Motor Company - will use its Korean subsidiary's network to sell the Ford Focus rival, the Roewe W2. The franchises will carry SAIC's offensive into Europe until the Chinese company sets up an entirely new network of Roewe-branded dealers in 2010.

These dedicated showrooms will provide a full range of Roewe cars, including revised Rover 25s and 75s. But its 45 replacement, the W2, promises to be the biggest seller.

Revealed at the recent Shanghai Motor Show, the W2 has been co-developed with ex-MG Rover engineers at Ricardo, and is based on a shortened Rover 75 platform.