Competing with the Pontiac Aztek for the crown of “Ugliest Car Of All Time” is not something any automaker wants to be recognized for. However, SsangYong’s Rodius did just that. In fact, the Rodius is especially audaciously incredulously ugly.
However, with a new competitor for the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Nissan Rogue, this fourth-largest South Korean automobile manufacturer has, shall we say, significantly improved its credibility. The C200 concept isn’t the “futuristic” compact SUV SsangYong likes to think it to be, but, at least from the front, it’s not ugly. And anything that’s not ugly from SsangYong is to be cheered. Loudly. Vigorously. Please keep cheering.
You’ll be interested to know that Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation now owns 51% of the SsangYong Motor Company. SAIC, through its new ownership of Nanjing Automobile, also owns MG and Rover. Najing builds licensed versions of Seats and Isuzus.