Ssangyong Motor

SEOUL, March 27 (Yonhap) -- Ssangyong Motor Co. said Monday it named its next-generation SUV the G4 Rexton ahead of its unveiling at an upcoming international motor show in its South Korean home market. 

Days ahead of the Seoul Motor Show, which opens Friday, Ssangyong Motor released the name along with the interior and exterior designs of its full-size Y400 SUV concept. 

"More details will be available at the motor show as the flagship SUV will make its global debut," a company spokeswoman said by phone. 

The Seoul Motor Show will run through April 9 at KINTEX exhibition hall in Ilsan, just northwest of Seoul. Upgraded and all-new models are set to be unveiled at a media event Thursday. 

This photo provided by Ssangyong Motor Co. shows the front of the G4 Rexton. (Yonhap)

Ssangyong Motor expects the addition of the G4 Rexton to strengthen its SUV-focused lineup composed of Korando Turismo, Korando C, Korando Sports pickup truck, Rexton W and Tivoli. 

South Korea's smallest carmaker by sales volume has only one sedan, the premium Chairman W sedan, in its product lineup. 

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. owns a 72.85 percent stake in the carmaker. 

Mahindra & Mahindra is the flagship affiliate of Mahindra Group, the $18 billion Indian conglomerate with businesses that range from the country's largest SUV maker to farm equipment and financial services. 

In March 2011, the Indian carmaker acquired SsangYong Motor in bankruptcy proceedings as part of its "globalization strategy." 

SsangYong Motor made a turnaround in 2016 for the first time since the acquisition. It shifted to a net profit of 58.1 billion won last year from a net loss of 61.94 billion won a year earlier, according to the company. 

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr