First locally-assembled Kia Carnival rolled off the production line

KUALA LUMPUR: Yes, the first locally-assembled Carnival has rolled off the production line at the Inokom plant, Kedah. The news was shared by Kia Malaysia which is a joint venture between Kia Corporation and Bermaz Auto. Thus making the Carnival the first Kia to be manufactured locally under the new partnership.

Kia Asia Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer, Ted Lee said, “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 new Kia Carnival will be launched in Malaysia shortly and as reported the CKD model will be available in three variant options namely, 2.2D 8-Seater, 2.2D 8-Seater High, and 2.2D 7-Seater High.

Also Read: 2022 Kia Carnival CKD: All you need to know

2022 Kia Carnival Variant & Price

2.2D 8-Seater	RM 231,228
2.2D 8-Seater ‘High	RM 247,228
2.2D 7-seater ‘High’	RM 261,228

The above-mentioned prices are on-the-road without insurance. It however includes a 5-year/100,000 km warranty and free service package.

Compared to the ongoing fully-imported model, the new CKD Carnival is a bit expensive as unlike the former it does not enjoy the preferential taxation status of being an 11-seater commercial vehicle.

The added price, however, brings some additional upgrades like -

• 12.3-inch instrument cluster
• LED illumination tail lights
• 12-speaker Bose sound system
• Premium Relaxation seats in the second row (fully reclined)
• Heated and ventilated seats
• One-touch smart power sliding rear doors

The range-topping 2.2D 7-seater High variant will benefit from the Kia Drive Wise suite of advanced driver assistance systems that includes -

• Autonomous emergency braking with junction detection
• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality
• Lane centering and lane keeping assist
• Blind spot and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance
• Automatic high beam

Powering the new CKD Kia Carnival is the same tried and tested 2.2-litre turbo diesel mill generating maximum power of 199 hp and a peak torque of 400 Nm. The drive is sent to the front wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Apart from deserving the local market, the automaker is planning to make Malaysia its ASEAN hub with cars built in the Inokom plant exported to several other markets.

As for the success of the CKD Carnival, the company is pretty sure that like the fully-imported 11-seat variant, this one will get customers' love and attention.

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