Rumours that the Kia brand will move from Naza Kia to Berjaya Auto (Bermaz) just as the Peugeot brand moved from Nasim to Berjaya Auto Alliance a few months back, has been circulating for some time.

Now it seems to be confirmed as AmInvestment Bank issued a report on March 11 congratulating Bermaz Auto on their “potential win of the Kia manufacturing, assembly and distribution rights”, possibly by April 2021.

DSF spoke to a representative of the Kia Malaysia office, who gave assurances that all current running vehicle warranties are all still very much intact and the Kia brand is still very much in operation in Malaysia.

Yes, Naza Kia was to retire as the brand guardian of Kia in Malaysia and was in ‘talks’ with a new brand guardian, Berjaya (B Auto), who were ready to look at reviving the brand with new and exciting vehicles and also better after-sales.

Meanwhile, the current globally popular Kia Seltos Crossover was launched by Naza Kia in January this year, after six months of teasing the vehicle.

Since then, only one unit of the Seltos has been sold and delivered. The Kia Seltos’s selling price is RM115,888 for the EX version and RM133,888 for the high specification GT-Line.

Meanwhile, there has been no confirmation on the Naza Kia ‘used car buy back programme’ launched in November 2016. This might be an issue for Kia owners who valued the programme.

So, what exciting new Kia models will be arriving in Malaysia under the new brand guardian?

Words out that it will be the new 4th generation Kia Carnival MPV, the K5 sedan that has been winning awards around the globe and possibly the new Sorento luxury SUV, an award winner.

So sit tight for the official announcement next month.

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