SsangYong Teams up with Italdesign’s Giugiaro and here’s the result

From the moment we laid eyes on the first sketches of SsangYong’s C200 Concept car, we knew something was wrong. Here’s a product from the Korean automaker that is actually –we can’t believe we’re saying this- likable. How could the same company that produces some of the ugliest cars in the world like the Rodius and Musso (see after the jump), make a 180 degree turn from one day to the next? Well, the answer is actually quite simple and it lies in the involvement of Giugaro, whose ItalDesign styling house is working closely with the Korean automaker. -Continued

SsangYong, which is under the control of China’s Shanghai Automotive Industries Group, plans to use ItalDesign to shape the appearance of its future portfolio and the C200 Concept that will enter production in 2009 is just the beginning. The compact SUV signals the start of a major product offensive from SsangYong that will see 20 new models based on five new platforms being introduced over the next five years.

Although SsangYong will remain primarily focused on SUVs and crossovers, don’t be surprised if the Koreans introduce vehicles in other segments based on models from parent company SAIC which owns the right to produce cars based on Rover platforms.