14 December, 2007 : The SUV market in India is ready to expand with the entry of Kyron SUVs set to launch in 2008. Sri Lankan car maker Micro Cars will export locally assembled South Korean SUV Ssang Yong Kyron to India.

Ssang Yong Motor Company is the fourth largest South Korean automobile manufacturer. The company has already sent test vehicles to India and has received positive responses from users. Micro Cars manufactures two types of SUV’s with a price range starting from Rs. 27 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The company is already manufacturing around 300 vehicles per year for Sri Lankan market which include SUVs and micro vans.

Following its plans to export SUVs to India, the company is upgrading its plant in Polgahawela, 60 Km north-east from Colombo, and has already invested close to Rs. 11 Crore. There are plans to manufacture 50 units per month and export them to India, initially.

While the SUV will basically be a Kyron at heart, the body of the vehicle, mirror and interior flooring components, and other rubber parts will be manufactured at the Micro Car’s site in Colombo. The Lankan car makers may face a tough competition once they launch, as the Indian auto industry may see close to 24 new launches in 2008 from 14 different car makers across the country, with nearly all of them being unveiled at the upcoming 2008 Auto Expo in New Delhi.