SsangYong name axed in Australia

KGM SsangYong will formally be known as KGM Australia from June 1, 2025, accompanied by a new slogan – the same day the 2026 KGM Actyon goes on sale here. 

It will be the first time the SsangYong name will be missing from local showrooms since the Mercedes-Benz-powered SsangYong Musso SUV – now the name used on its dual-cab ute – was introduced in 1997. 

The rebrand began in 2022 in the company’s South Korea home market after a majority stake in the automaker was purchased by KG Group.

Australia adopted the name KGM SsangYong in September last year, with KGM standing for ‘KG Mobility’, even as most markets ditched the SsangYong name entirely.

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The former SsangYong brand – a name which dates back to the company’s origins in 1954 – becomes simply KGM Australia from June 1, with the local arm one of the last in the world to make the change.

The Australian rebrand coincides with the introduction of the first vehicle developed since it became part of KG Group, the KGM Actyon SUV, into local showrooms.

“It’s timely we fully embrace the KGM branding here in Australia and celebrate the latest vehicle design language with a brand logo re-fresh, to align with KGM’s global identity and better reflect our commitment to design excellence,” Joseph Lee, managing director of KGM Australia, said in a statement. 

As well as a new logo, the rebrand also brings a fresh slogan: ‘Korean built to last’.

Australian pricing and specs for the 2026 KGM Actyon have been announced with the new-generation SUV offered in a two-model grade lineup starting at $47,000 drive-away. 

It will join the KGM Korando, Rexton and Torres SUVs in Australian showrooms as well as the brand’s best-seller, the Musso dual-cab ute.