Ssangyong shows off C200 compact SUV in Paris

Ssangyong Motor Co., the South Korean unit of China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), was showing a concept version of its C200 compact sport-utility vehicle at an auto industry fair in Paris, the company said today. The C200 SUV, equipped with a 2.0-liter diesel engine and a six-speed manual transmission, is one product of Ssangyong's efforts to diversify its line-up, the company said in a statement.

With the C200, Ssangyong aims to challenge Toyota Motor Corp.'s RAV-4, Honda Motor Co.'s CR-V and Nissan Motor Co.'s Rogue, according to the statement.

Since early this year, Ssangyong, South Korea's smallest automaker, has been slammed by high fuel prices due to its line-up, which is dominated by fuel-guzzling sport-utility vehicles and large-size sedans.