Ssangyong Tivoli now unlikely for Oz

Ssangyong has announced a new 85kW turbo-diesel version of its modern-looking Tivoli for the UK, but the new compact SUV's Australian release now appears unlikely.

The Tivoli was launched in Korea in January and revealed in Europe in March, when Ssangyong said it would help lift its global sales by more than 70 per cent and indicated a plug-in version was also on the cards.

Australian Ssangyong importer Ateco Automotive has long cautioned the Tivoli was not confirmed for our market as pricing negotiations continue with the Korean car-maker, but it has gained ADR certification for both petrol and diesel versions and as recently as May said the Tivoli could be here by Christmas.

Now Ateco spokesman Daniel Cotterill has told motoring.com.au that until the company can negotiate a competitive price for the vehicle, it won't be offered here.

"It's a great car. We're really excited by it and plenty of testing on the Tivoli has been undertaken in Australia," said Cotterill, who added that the vehicle is still "not yet confirmed" for the local market.

"We need a good drive-away price on the Tivoli, and it has to be competitive. So unless it's commercially viable, there's no point [selling it here]," he said.

The problem for Ateco with the Tivoli -- arguably the prettiest vehicle from the Korean car-maker to date -- is the sheer number of compact rivals already available in Australia, including Ssangyong's own Korando.

With models like the Mazda CX-3 priced from under $20,000, it's clear that the Tivoli would need to also be priced from below $20K -- and fitted with all the fruit -- to attract attention in the fast-growing city-SUV sector.

The larger Korando, powered exclusively by 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, is listed from $21,990 drive-away and extends to the AWD diesel auto at $32,990. Sales are up 13 per cent to July this year at 267, but that still represents just 0.5 per cent of the mainstream compact SUV segment.

The Tivoli would have to slot underneath the Korando but that leaves virtually no wiggle room in terms of price.

Cotterill concedes that the currency markets have made life easier for Japanese brands in Australia and asked rhetorically "where would it sit?", but says his company will continue to "monitor" the Tivoli for a potential Australian release.

In the UK, 13 versions of the Tivoli are now available priced between about $27,000 and $42,000.

Ateco has already invested significant capital ensuring the Tivoli meets Australian Design Rules, certifying both a 95kW/160Nm 1.6-litre petrol version with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, and an 85kW/300Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel AWD manual.

Boasting a modern look inside and out, the new Tivoli "is the biggest thing to happen to Ssangyong," says Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK.

"We have been delighted with the reaction to the car from the media and all importantly from owners."