Samsung Motors Inc. was established in 1994 by the Samsung group, which was headed by Lee Kun-Hee. Based on a cooperation agreement signed with Nissan Motor, the new automaker emerged in three years at an investment estimated at several billion dollars between 1995 and 1997. The Korean recession hit Samsung Motors hard in 1998, just as it was launching the SM5 – the firm's first and only vehicle. The Samsung group was consequently forced to sell its automotive business and find a buyer for Samsung Motors.
In December 1999 Renault began negotiations to take over Samsung Motors' operating assets. The agreement signed with the Samsung group and SMI's creditors paved the way for the establishment on September 1, 2000 of Renault Samsung Motors (RSM). The new company, with capital of $400 drew on the strengths of its management team and employees, the investment by Renault and the technical support of Nissan to get the Busan plant and the sales network rapidly back on track.
In 2001 Renault Samsung Motors' financial results and sales volume were higher than the initial targets. Within the next two years the market share decreased as competitors introduced new models.
In 2003 84999 SM5 and 32631 SM3 were made with 2235 employees. In 2004 Nissan announced that they will withdraw technical support from Renault-Samsung, so the next models will be based on Renault platform.
sursa:
http://www.autoindex.org/maker.plt?no=108