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Renault Samsung Launches New QM5 SUV
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Renault's subsidiary Renault Samsung Motors is to begin production of the new QM5 SUV in South Korea. Mass production of the QM5 is set to begin today at the company's plant in Busan.
The move marks Renault's foray into this sector of the market and the first time a vehicle manufactured in South Korea will be exported under the Renault brand.
The QM5 is the first SUV model of Renault Samsung, ranked fourth place in the country's automobile industry. It has so far sold only small-, mid- and large-sized sedans, each named as the ``SM3,’’ ``SM5’’ and ``SM7,’’ in South Korea.
Equipped with a two-liter diesel engine outsourced from Renault, the vehicle boasts of a maximum 173hp, which is pretty good for such a modest displacement. A gasoline version QM5 with a 2.5-liter engine will be introduced early next year.
Renault Samsung has invested over $610 million over the past 28 months to develop the SUV model under the project name ``QMX.’’ It made its debut as a small crossover concept vehicle at the Seoul Motor Show in April.
 | Renault Samsung Motors CEO Jean-Marie Hurtiger explains about the “QM5,” his company’s first sport utility vehicle (SUV), during a launching ceremony at the automaker’s factory in Busan |
The new model will be available for sale in South Korea from Dec. 10, and in the second half of next year around the world, becoming Renault Samsung's second mainstay export after the subcompact SM3, which is shipped mainly to Russia.
The SM3 is sold under the brand name of Nissan Motor Co., which is 44.3 percent owned by Renault. The QM5, with its 2,000cc diesel engine, will be exported mainly to Europe under the Renault brand, the company said.
[source: Korea Times]
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