The SsangYong Brand is Officially Dead in Australia

KGM SsangYong will rebrand as KGM Australia from 1 June 2025, formally ending the use of the SsangYong name in the local market. The change aligns with the brand's global transition following its acquisition by KG Group in 2022.

The rebrand coincides with the unveiling of the MY26 KGM Actyon, a new SUV that will be the first vehicle fully developed and designed under the KGM brand. KGM Australia says this model represents a new design direction and global brand identity.

Joseph Lee, Managing Director of KGM Australia, said the Actyon’s launch is an appropriate time to fully adopt the KGM branding. The company will introduce a refreshed logo and the new slogan, “KOREAN BUILT TO LAST,” across its branding.

The name SsangYong, meaning "Double Dragon" in Korean, has a history dating back to 1939 and was once part of one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates. SsangYong entered the automotive industry in 1986 after acquiring Dong-A Motor, which had produced military and commercial vehicles.

Despite periods of growth, the automotive arm of the group struggled financially through the 1990s and was sold during the fallout of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Over the years, it changed ownership multiple times, eventually becoming part of KG Group, which is now repositioning the brand globally under the KGM identity.

Australia’s rebranding to KGM Australia follows similar changes in other markets, reflecting a global effort to distance the company from its complex legacy and focus on future growth under new ownership.