KUALA LUMPUR: The distributor of South Korea’s Kia automobiles, Naza Kia Sdn Bhd, yesterday launched its new C-segment flagship car, the Kia Forte.

Available in three variants, the basic 1.6-litre engine EX model is priced at RM75,800, the 1.6-litre SX at RM81,800 and the 2.0-litre SX at RM93,800.

The Forte has seen global sales of over 237,000 units since its introduction into Kia’s stable of vehicles last year.

Naza Kia chief executive officer SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said the introduction of the marque into Malaysia was a significant milestone for the company, which expected to sell 6,000 units of the Forte next year.

“Naza Kia is optimistic of achieving 6,000-unit sales in 2010, taking 11% of the non-national B- and C-segments. The Forte will contribute to 23% of 2010’s forecast for Naza Kia, which is 26,000 units,” he said at the Forte’s launch here.

One of the key elements of the Forte is the design of the car, which is the brainchild of renowned auto designer Peter Schreyer. Kia Motors Corporation managing director for Asia Regional Office Lee See Il, who attended the launch, describes the Forte as one of the car manufacturer’s “Eureka” products.

“Kia is a brand underpinned by quality and reliability. Now it has a new design premise,” Lee said. He added that “design” had now become a key consideration for the future development of Kia vehicles.

Naza Kia said the Forte was the first of several new marques it would be introducing to the Malaysian market. It added that it was planning to introduce more than four new models in various segments in 2010.

This article appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, November 26, 2009.