SsangYong UK has appointed five new sales and service dealerships as the brand prepares to launch its new Rexton large SUV.

Canterbury SsangYong, Duthies of Montrose, FG Barnes Maidstone, Burrows Motor Company in Sheffield and SB Wakefield have all become franchised partners of the Korean brand in the latest raft of appointments.

Paul Williams, chief executive of SsangYong Motor UK said that the anticipated arrival of the new Rexton this autumn had been key to attracting new partners. He said: “The arrival of our new Rexton SUV is undoubtedly raising interest in the brand.

“While the other improvements we have made to the range – added safety equipment on Tivoli and Tivoli XLV, new-look to Korando and increased towing capacity on the Musso pick-up, have all added to range appeal.

“With the current political and economic conditions, value-brands are increasingly in demand and we can offer a wide product portfolio of six different models – a choice of SUVs plus a seven-seat MPV and 1-tonne pick-up, unlike some other car makes.

“Confidence in SsangYong is growing steadily as our performance and improving media profile indicate, and the quality of prospective new dealers is extremely encouraging.

“We expect to be able to announce another tranche of new dealers in the near future.”

SsangYong is actively looking for dealers to represent the brand in a number of locations. Its current open points include: Aberdeen, Ayr, Blackpool, Bristol, Cambridge, Derby, Grimsby, Hull, Inverness, Lincoln, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, North Birmingham, Oxford, Perth, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Southend, Swindon, Taunton, Teesside, Truro, Watford, Worcester, Worcester, Wrexham and York.