22 December 2020 South Korean manufacturer Ssangyong has filed for bankruptcy in its home country after defaulting on a loan repayment of 60 billion won (£40 million) – but the firm’s UK operations are unaffected by the move. The SUV specialist has applied for court receivership, which include rehabilitation and restructuring procedures, due to what a spokesperson termed “difficulties being experienced from the worldwide COVID-19 situation”. Indian automotive giant Mahindra & Mahindra holds a 74.65% stake in Ssangyong, and said the loan was due to be repaid on 14 December. Ssangyong said it delayed the loan due to “worsening business conditions”, and applied for the rehabilitation procedures to stop interruptions to its business operations.