CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive

24 June 2004

Implementation Investments

SsangYong Motor Company Unveils First Korean Car Developed Using CATIA and ENOVIA PLM Platform from IBM and Dassault Systèmes

IBM and Dassault Systèmes announced that SsangYong Motor Company's new Rodius automobile, unveiled to the public last month, was the first Korean vehicle designed and manufactured using a "virtual platform" based on their Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Solutions.

SsangYong developed the Rodius multi-purpose vehicle using IBM PLM Solutions CATIA, for collaborative product development, and ENOVIA, for data management and decision support-both developed by Dassault Systèmes. SsangYong is the first Korean automaker to use both design and data management solutions from the IBM PLM Solutions portfolio for the entire automotive manufacturing process - from planning and design to production. IBM Business Consulting Services (BCS) managed the implementation of PLM Solutions at SsangYong's manufacturing facilities, both in Korea and abroad.

Using the integrated PLM Solution and implementation management from IBM Business Consulting Services, SsangYong has made major headway in cutting its vehicle production time. The company transformed the Rodius from a concept car into a mass-production vehicle in less than two years. Highlights of SsangYong's PLM transformation include: creating an online design system, enabling the company's designers to share product data and make inquiries in real time; generating full-scale 3D digital images; decreasing the number of design changes required; and reducing the time and cost of new product development.

SsangYong now plans to extend the core capability of its IBM PLM Solutions to after-sales services and overseas businesses in order to further improve customer satisfaction.

"The Rodius is the first offering to embody the new and improved SsangYong Motor technology," said Sungshin Kim, vice president and head of SsangYong Motor Research. "It is the result of the determination of SsangYong employees to make an excellent automobile effectively supported by advanced PLM technology. Thanks to powerful PLM Solutions from IBM and Dassault Systèmes, SsangYong will step up its efforts to strengthen its technology and produce more quality automobiles."

Jaemann Park, PLM Solutions Manager, IBM Korea, added, "The SsangYong Rodius can be considered a great achievement because it's the first case in Korea in which an automaker has applied both the design and data management aspects of the IBM PLM vision, and this has given SsangYong a substantial competitive advantage. SsangYong will continue to harness the benefits of PLM with partners to achieve efficient process integration, including design, production and after-sales services."

"The Rodius is a great accomplishment for the Korean automotive industry and a tangible example of PLM delivering on its promises end-to-end along the value chain, from concept design down to the shop floor," said Christian Nardin, managing director, Dassault Systèmes Asia. "SsangYong's successful deployment of our PLM solutions also illustrates the importance of having a systemic business transformation and 'best practice' approach to PLM supported throughout all levels of the organization. Dassault Systèmes and IBM together offer unmatched capabilities to help customers along their journey to PLM."

SsangYong Motor Company announced its latest car model, "Rodius," on May 11, 2004. Rodius is a Premium MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle), functioning comprehensively not only as a passenger car, but also as a SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) mini-van combination - a first for the Korean market. Rodius offers modesty and the feeling of passenger car performance combined with the power of an SUV. Size and its SUV-mini-van multi-use capabilities are its special features.

Founded in 1954, SsangYong Motor began its business as a manufacturer of commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles including mixers and fire-fighting trucks. Since the launch of a new SUV in 1988, SsangYong Motor has established its reputation in the SUV field in Korea. In 1991, Mercedes-Benz AG assisted SsangYong Motor to improve manufacturing quality of SsangYong Motor vehicles. Since, SsangYong Motors has expanded its businesses to light commercial vehicles, diesel engines, luxury passenger cars, and gasoline engines. In 1994, SsangYong Motor inaugurated its engine plant to manufacture its own engines. Since then, SsangYong Motor established its presence in three major sectors of the automobile market with its sports utility vehicles, recreational vehicles and passenger cars launching such new products as Rexton, Musso and Korando, an SUV with unique styling and outstanding performance, Istana (MB 100), and Chairman, luxury passenger car. For more information, please visit http://www.smotor.com

 

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