In a report by Maybank Investment Bank (Maybank IB), it has been revealed that Dinamikjaya Motors, Kia’s new distributor in Malaysia, is mulling to introduce the fully-electric Kia EV6 as soon as this year. The launch is subject to conditions or incentives outlined by Malaysia's upcoming EV promotion policy.
And that’s not all, according to the report, Dinamikjaya is also planning to locally assemble (CKD) the EV6.
If the distributor manages to CKD the EV6, the model will very well be one of the first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) from Kia to be assembled in Malaysia, alongside the Kia e-Niro whose launch is also in the works.
Based on previous reports, Bermaz Auto, Dinamikjaya’s parent company, already has plans to CKD the Kia Grand Carnival as well as the Kia Seltos though the plans won’t be put into place until 2022 at least.
Also read: Kia e-Niro EV planned for Malaysian launch in 2021 – CKD assembly considered
With the EV6 estimated to launch in 2021, Dinamikjaya will most probably have to start selling the BEV as a fully imported (CBU) model first before local production can start.
Of course, the launch of the EV6 is highly dependent on how the Malaysia EV policy will turn out. The policy is expected to be announced later this month so we’ll have to wait and see.
Also read: All-new 2022 Kia Sportage CKD planned for Malaysia launch next year
Other than the EV6 and the Kia e-Niro, Dinamikjaya is also looking to launch the all-new fifth-generation Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV).
Kia EV6
Launched worldwide in March this year, the EV6 is Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle (EV). The model is built on parent company, Hyundai’s, E-GMP architecture developed specifically for EVs.
Globally, two battery capacity options are available, a 58 kWh and a 77.4 kWh pack. The EV6 is rated to have at least a 510 km distance range based on the WLTP cycle.
Although the EV might look like a hatchback but Kia markets the EV6 as a crossover as the EV’s proportions match that of the Kia Seltos, standing only slightly shorter at 1,550 mm compared to the Seltos’ 1,645 mm.
Also read: Kia has more than 10 SUVs on sale! Here's a quick overview
Malaysia to launch CKD Kia Carnival in Q1 2022, Seltos in Q4, target 2,000 unit sales
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