Ssangyong Motor Co., the smallest carmaker in South Korea, said Tuesday it has begun exporting its Tivoli SUV as the company hopes to repeat its strong domestic performance in overseas markets and expand its presence abroad.

More than 2,000 units of the Tivoli are to be shipped to Europe and Latin American countries, with sales to begin in June, the carmaker said in a press release.

"We hope for a successful launching of the Tivoli overseas, and we will do our best to become a global SUV maker by improving product competitiveness, diversifying our export markets and enhancing our brand image," said Ssangyong Motor President Choi Johng-sik.

The automaker said it aims to sell 25,000 units of the Tivoli abroad this year, including some 13,500 units in Europe.

The Tivoli was launched in the market here in January, with an aim to sell about 38,000 units this year and increase sales to 100,000 starting next year. Industry data showed that Ssangyong has sold more than 8,000 units of the Tivoli only in the Korean market.

Ssangyong showcased the Tivoli at a Geneva motor show earlier this month as part of the preparation for its overseas shipments.

The Tivoli hit showrooms on Jan. 13 in South Korea with high expectations that it would appeal to younger consumers with an "edge" in design, colorful interior, roomy cargo space and affordable price.

The Tivoli is competing with such models as Renault Samsung Motors' QM3 and the Tucson, recently unveiled by Hyundai Motor Co., the country's largest automaker.

In particular, Hyundai Motor has sold more than 10,000 units of the Tucson on a contract basis in less than three weeks since its launch, a strong performance that would intensify competition in the small SUV market.

The compact SUV market is one of the fast-growing automobile sectors, driven by the growing popularity of SUVs and strong demand for roomy but affordable vehicles among younger consumers.

According to industry data, sales of small SUVs grew by about 150 percent from 2008 to 2013. (Yonhap)