Malaysian NEWEST NATIONAL CAR: KIAT

Naza Kia Motors and Fiat Auto Spa. have announced plans to enter into a joint venture project to design and build Malaysia's new national car, and are to incorporate a company here with 50-50 ownership. The new car company will be called Kiat Motors Bhd. Company insiders are excited about the project, which has secretly been in the works for years.

"We're expecting thousands of Kiat," said a Naza Kia executive. "All Kiat cars will be specially-designed to meet the needs of Malaysian motorists." Asked to reveal some of the features expected on the first Kiat model, the executive said: "No way man!. What if I lose my job?"

Sources from Naza Kia and Fiat had more to say, however. "For the past 3 years, Malaysia's best-selling car has been Perodua MYVI. We'll just copy the Myvi but modified into Sedan body and see how it goes (Since Malaysians Loved Sedan cars)," said Project Manager whose name is Co-incidently "Michael Tan Beng Kiat".  He's SUPER PROUD that the car's Named after Him.  But the Kiat car will outdo the MYVI in various important ways, boasted Michael Tan Beng Kiat. Think of it as a MYVI with a 480L BOOT. 10L more than the Persona. While the Myvi has a 1.3cc engine, the Kiat will have a NEW 1495cc Variable Valve Timing with mated with Fiat's 6 speed CVT gearbox (as seen in Punto Nuova).  "That's all I can reveal at the moment" added Michael Tan Beng Kiat.

To draw needless attention to its superiority, the Kiat car will also be launched as the 'Kiat Platinum".  Why Platinum?  It's because it's WORTH MORE THAN GOLD.  In order to reduce costs, the Platinum will also do away with the need for superfluous features found on other cars, such as Signal lights, side mirrors, and rear seatbelts, which local motorists do not use. "Think of the convenience," said Michael Tan Beng Kiat with a grin. "When you drive a Kia Platinum, you need never adjust your mirrors or bother to signal before making a turn.

BUT Safety wise, It'll have Driver's Airbag Only, as passanger airbag deem Irrelevant for those needing to fix rear facing Baby seat.  Brakes, 2 Discs, 2 drums with ABS+EBD.  Seat: Normal fabric with driver manual height adjustable. And steering Front back, Up-down (4 way) adjustable.  This is designed for people as small as 130cm.

Aside from that, the Kiat Platinum's main selling point will be a special windscreen that no local driver would want to be without. "We are working on a giving one corner of the windscreen special optical distortions. When you place your parking coupon under this part of the windscreen, it becomes almost impossible to tell from the outside if your parking ticket is expired or not.

Another SNEAK PREVIEW with Optional washable Leather Look-alike PVC seats:

Price expected to be below RM50,000.  but the car is expected to undercut rivals because it will be locally assembled in Kelantan, where Labour cost is Cheapest. No launch date has been set, and Kiat Motors says it is not ready to handle enquiries yet, but Kiat customers can call 1-800-88-KIAT (5128) (anyway if they want to get details before anyone else).

More details will be revealed Tomorrow April 2 2010, 12pm.