Locally Assembled Kia Carnival To Be Launched Soon
The CBU Kia Carnival 11-seater MPV imported from South Korea was quickly snapped up by buyers when it was introduced in early 2022. And now about half a year on, Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd has prepared a locally assembled Carnival for the market. Kia Malaysia is a joint venture between Kia Corporation and Bermaz Auto Berhad (BAuto).
The CKD Kia Carnival is the first Kia model produced under this new partnership and is assembled at the Inokom plant in Kulim, Kedah. It remains powered by a 2.2L turbo diesel engine that is paired with an 8-speed automatic and producing 199 hp @ 3,800 rpm and 440 Nm of torque @ 1,750 rpm – 2,750 rpm. But unlike the fully imported version, the locally assembled one will be available with fewer seats i.e. 7-seater and 8-seater configurations. This means more cabin space for each passenger and will have more premium appointments.
The CKD Carnival will include front & rear heated and ventilated seats, Premium Relaxion seats in the 2nd row that can be fully reclined, a 12-speaker Bose® sound system, 12.3″ infotainment display, ambient lighting, one-touch smart powered sliding doors and smart powered tailgate.
Safety kit will include a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). This includes 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.
Meanwhile, 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”. Dinamikjaya Motors is part of the BAuto group and is the sole distributor of Kia vehicles and spare parts in Malaysia.
Kia Malaysia believes that this joint venture will boost the price competitiveness and supply of the Kia Carnival due to the significant demand in Malaysia and regional export markets. Furthermore, Kia Malaysia will continue with its plan to be the hub that serves the targeted export markets with various models to be assembled in Kulim. The plan to export is firmly on track and the brand will make its maiden shipment soon.
