After much speculation, it has now been confirmed that Kia Motors is partnering with Bermaz Auto (BAuto) in Malaysia. Both parties have formed a strategic partnership and a newly incorporated company – Kia Malaysia (KMSB) – will be formed to undertake CKD local assembly of Kia vehicles in Malaysia.
As a start, three CKD models are planned for the Malaysian market. The Kia Seltos SUV and new Kia Carnival MPV have been named as the models, while the third vehicle will be determined at a later stage. The Korean carmaker intends to make KMSB the regional manufacturing hub for ASEAN and other potential markets.
Along with this, Kia has also appointed BAuto’s subsidiary Dinamikjaya Motors as the new distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia. Taking over from Naza Kia, Dinamikjaya will sell CKD and CBU Kia vehicles and handle after-sales for the brand in Malaysia.
“After months of searching for the right partner, Kia is delighted to enter into the Kia JV and Kia distributorship with BAuto. With BAuto’s proven capability in successfully building up automotive marques in Malaysia and the Philippines as well as their automotive manufacturing experience, we believe we have placed the Kia brand in good hands under the capable leadership of its executive chairman Datuk Seri Ben Yeoh,” said Tae Hun (Ted) Lee, president and CEO of Kia Asia Pacific.
“Kia marque vehicles are well-known for their stylish looks, packed with smart features, frequent facelifts and new launches that keep prospective buyers excited over its products. The Kia JV and Kia distributorship will complement our existing group automotive businesses and we look forward to a successful collaboration with Kia,” said Datuk Seri Ben Yeoh, BAuto’s executive chairman.
This development comes shortly after the Peugeot marque came under the stewardship of Berjaya Auto Alliance Sdn Bhd (BAASB), a joint venture between Berjaya Corp and BAuto. The Vincent Tan-controlled conglomerate holds 51% stake in BAASB, while BAuto has a 20% interest. BAuto is of course the company behind Mazda in Malaysia. Prior to this, Kia and Peugeot had the Naza Group as local partners.
GALLERY: Kia Grand Carnival
GALLERY: Kia Seltos 1.6 GT Line
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1 more model…K5 GT 2.5T please
What Bermaz able to do. NAZA can do better,
You terbalik your words ah?
If Kia Malaysia Sdn bhd and Dinamikjaya Sdn Bhd can sell 12-15k units a year and prove to make a healthy profit.. i just hope those ppl in NazaKia Malaysia.. or the previous NazaKia and NazaKia Services Sdn Bhd.. and the NAM factory to jump up their own 4$$ and go to die.
They simply didnt know how to play the automotive game. Stoopeed.
They used to when Csegment Kia forte was same priced as Bsegment Honda city. Too bad the koreans up their prices.
full credits to Naza for selling cbu kia at local ckd prices. memang rugi takbeli awal2.
Thank God what a relief. Hopefully Bermaz auto will rise up Kia in term of sales and after sales. It’s good if we could be a ASEAN hub for manufacturing Kia model for ASEAN just like Mazda. Now please CKD the global spec SP2 Seltos with ADAS and 1.6 turbo engine like in Kona. Also good to see if they could ckd the Rio and Sorento or maybe a quirky boxy Soul??
Please bring in Kia Sorento 2021 1.6 T-GDI Hybrid
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
CKD Seltos, Carnival and give good specs
Kia Seltos CDK spec needs to be updated. Else it won’t selling well.
So KIA assembly now to Kulim alongside BAuto mazda assembly?
April Fool joke???
No, go to the Kia Malaysia official website amd you’ll see they are updating
Definitely a good news for Korea car lovers. Naza has been screwing up the brand since the beginning, the worst after sales and services that you can get…wait, no…even before sales and services are worse. Eventually it is the staff who are causing their downfall.
Kia also involve itself 33% stock to this new distributor, they are building factory at kedah recently. Hope we can get better service and cheaper car in future.
I so happy with this news. I have many kia. I love Korean only
No thanks…
Bermaz pls change the Seltos engine to q.4T-GDI like that of what Indon getting and gear to 7DCT.We Makaysia are being ripped off by NAZA big time for many years.Including Peugeot.Always give new body but DINASOUR engine and gearbox.What the hell call it new model.