Dongfeng Yueda Kia to launch new Forte in 2009

Shanghai, September 1 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Yueda Kia, a joint venture between Chinese automaker Dongfeng Group and Korean automaker Kia Motor, will start to make and sell the new Forte compact sedan in China next year, reported the Beijing News.

Citing a company source, the newspaper said the Forte will be built on the same platform as Kia C'eed, which will also be built in the joint venture in 2010. The Forte will feature some modifications made particularly for Chinese consumers.

The unnamed source said that after construction on the second plant completes on 2010, the company will have a capacity of 430,000 units and the second plant itself will produce around 6 models.

Last week Kia Motors Corp launched the new Forte compact sedan in its home market. The Forte, equipped with a 1.6-liter gasoline or diesel engine, generates 124 horsepower, and the company plans to add a 2-liter engine later, the company said in its press release.

The price for the Forte ranges from 11.9 million won (US$11,300) to 19.6 million won, depending on accessories and engine types, it said. Kia targets the sale of 30,000 vehicles this year and 50,000 units domestically and 170,000 units overseas next year.

Kia launched the new Forte compact sedan at South Korea last week