Ssangyong plans to use new distribution channels to up sales

"We plan to sell 160 cars by the end of 2005. In 2006 we will sell over 1,000 cars," said Stefan Kuzminski, managing director of Ssangyong Poland. The execution of these plans depend to large extent on developing a distribution network. "Currently 12 dealers sell our cars, but the network will expand to 15 outlets by the end of the year. In the end we will sell cars through a maximum of 25 entities," explained Kuzminski. For the time being, Ssangyong is selling mainly off-road cars and vans, but next year the offer will be expanded with passenger cars. "The success of the new distributor relies on funds designated for promotion," said Wojciech Drzewiecki, president of Samar, a car market analyst. Ssangyong Poland is majority owned by Spanish Berge Automocion, which has an annual turnover of over EUR 1.5 billion. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 8) M.M.