25th July 2022– Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Kia Corporation and Bermaz Auto Berhad (BAuto), has rolled out its first Kia model produced under the new partnership – the Kia Carnival assembled at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah.
The CKD Kia Carnival is scheduled to be officially launched soon in Malaysia. The locally assembled Kia Carnival is made available in 7-seater and 8-seater configurations. Powered by a 2.2-litre Turbo Diesel Engine with a maximum power of 199 Hp and 440 Nm of torque matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The vehicle is specified with a long list of stylish and high-tech features to deliver a premium class mobility experience for both the driver and passengers. These include front & rear heated and ventilated seats, Premium Relaxion seats in the second row that can be fully reclined, equipped with a 12-speaker Bose® sound system, ambient lighting, and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, one-touch smart power sliding doors and smart power tailgate.
For safety, a comprehensive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) comes as standard feature for the safety of the driver, passenger and other road users. The CKD Kia Carnival is equipped with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning (FCA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), High Beam Assist (HBA) and Safe Exit Assist (SEA).
“The roll-out of the Kia Carnival in CKD form was an important milestone in the marque’s renaissance in Malaysia. We are delighted to welcome the first Kia model produced here at Inokom for the Malaysian and ASEAN markets. The Kia Carnival marks a new beginning for the Kia brand and showcases all the hallmarks of our products, superior design, smart technology and an impressive driving experience”, said the Kia Asia Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ted Lee.
Dato Wong Kin Foo, Managing Director of Dinamikjaya Motors Sdn. Bhd. said, “The consumer’s response to the fully imported Kia Carnival 11-seater variant launched in January has been very encouraging and we are confident that the consumers will be equally enthusiastic about the CKD Kia Carnival. We believe these CKD variations will serve the differing needs and expectations of those in the market for a modern and luxurious multi-purpose vehicle”.
Kia Malaysia believes that this joint venture plan will boost the price competitiveness and supply of the Kia Carnival due to the significant demand for vehicles in Malaysia and export markets. Kia Malaysia will continue to pursue its plan to be the hub that serves the targeted export markets with various CKD models introductions. The plan to export is firmly on track and will soon make the maiden shipment.