- Asia Auto will start assembly of three Kia models by the second quarter of 2010.
- The factory will build the Kia Cerato, Mohave and the 2010 version of the Sorento.
- Through its partnership with GM, the new Cadillac SRX will also be assembled at the plant in Kazakhstan.
UST-KAMENOGORSK, Kazakhstan — Asia Auto, one of the largest auto plants in Central Asia, will start assembly of three Kia models by the second quarter of 2010, according to company President Yerzhan Mandiev.
He said the plant will build the Kia Cerato sedan, the Mohave — designed for the North American market, where it is sold as the Borrego — and the 2010 version of the Sorento SUV. Specialists from Asia Auto are currently being trained at Kia's South Korean auto factories.
In addition to the Kia models, Asia Auto also plans to strengthen cooperation with its long-term business partners Skoda Auto and General Motors through assembly of new models such as the Skoda Yeti crossover and the new-generation Cadillac SRX. Finally, the company is also going to launch production of UAZ SUV in cooperation with the Russian Sollers auto holding company.
It is reported that the new models will be positioned as midprice products, with prices for the Kia Cerato starting at $14,200.
Asia Auto's Kazakhstan plant was established in 2003. Currently it produces such models as the Lada Niva, the Skoda Octavia and Superb, the Chevrolet Captiva, Lacetti and Epica and the Cadillac Escalade, and its products sell for a wide range of prices from $9,000-$100,000.
Inside Line says: More choice coming for buyers in Central Asia. — Evgeniy Vorotnikov, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
eldaino2 says:
10:38 AM, 03/17/2010
i wonder if this will be a "GREAT SUCCESS" for kia ;)
dg0472 says:
05:14 PM, 03/16/2010
There's no more Borrego anyway. It was dropped after 2009, though there are some on lots still. There was also no 2010 Sorento in the US.
thedream21479 says:
02:29 PM, 03/16/2010
At least the Asian Kia's have a cool name, Mohave ....wtf is a Borrego anyway? Maybe they should just call it the Mohave here as well and save some money on making the new name plates.