Kia Carens MPV to be China made by 2010

Shanghai, December 11 (Gasgoo.com) After deciding to produce the Kia Cerato and Soul hatchbacks in China next year, Kia Motors and its Chinese partners are discussing about making the Kia's seven-seat Carens MPV model in their joint venture as well, said sina.com today.

"We have been discussing about producing the Kia Carens MPV in China," said an insider of Dongfeng Yueda Kia Auto recently to reporters. The Kia Carens is positioned as a family-use seven-seat MPV, which should be a market segment not fully explored yet in China. The Kia Carens MPV will be made at the second plant of the venture by 2010.

The compact Kia Carens MPV was launched into the Chinese market in 2006 with four models, all equipped with the 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and automated manual transmission (AMT), and priced at 165,000 yuan ($24,000) to 183,000 yuan.

Many automakers are looking to tap the MPV market in China. Fujian Southeast Motor started last month to sell its new MPV model the Mitsubishi Zinger (for 136,800 yuan to 179,800 yuan). The high-end MPV Mazda 8 will go on sale in China in 2009, and Haima Auto will release its Fstar (Fushida) MPV model to the market in early 2009.

Dongfeng Yueda Kia Auto, a joint venture between Dongfeng Motor Corp and Korean Kia Motors, announced in early November it will make and sell the Kia Forte (all-new Kia Cerato) and Soul compact cars in China next year. The upgraded Kia Optima is also likely to be made by the venture.