Ssangyong (in Korea) is 70 percent owned by Mahindra.
There is likely a new ute of some description on its way. This is a UK article, what the NZ market receives might differ.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ssangyo...sports-in-2018
Probably a phasing in of a new ute, rather than expecting the entire field to changeover, might be the next step.
TC. A few recent crashes in 2k Cup show how damaging relatively minor crashes are to production based vehicles.
https://youtu.be/mxK1l2kFa4A (Crash)
https://youtu.be/K-ItAZp38iw?t=3m39s
Looking at other track series - some of the (production shell based) drift vehicles are extensively modified to aid crash repairs, some of the (production shell based) time attack cars are also extensively modified for lightening and strauctural rigidity etc.
The South African 'touring car' series is a Pace (Australia) spaceframe, (similar to the Marc Focus size), Albins transaxle with 2 litre turbo engine (from manufacturer) and has attracted a few brands to their series.
http://www.motorsportmedia.co.za/article.asp?conID=111
What is likely to be best for NZ in the future?
I would like to see something similar to the old Shell Sport cars but with updated rules for current day cars. Allow front drive to be converted to rear drive, transverse engines converted to longtitudinal engines etc.
No super minis so the standard bodyshell has a larger crumple zones.
A variety of engines (v6, turbo4, v8, flat4s) but V8s (coyote, LS) evened with emu unit/ power/ torque curve parity.