Agree with you on the 1.6. But 2.0? Specs are about the same. Whatever the case, I still think Naza should increase it gradually....not on the spot 10-20%. They should ride on the gaining popularity of KIA. I do think a lot of those thinking of K3 now might rethink due to the steep price increase which also put it about the same with other competitor price (that have already strong foothold). So I'm keeping fingers cross, the price will be lower that the estimated range.

You can check the size of the Multi-link in Mazda 6, its a quality one comparable to conti makes. K5 multi-link, the bone size is smaller and at the same time, they build their cars like in between Japanese and conti therefore they don't get close to conti. The K3 Cerato and Elantra, if they are fitted with Multi-link instead of torsion beam, it might get you somewhere nearer to conti. Also, depends on how willing are they to give you the more expensive, bigger and heavier multi-link bone. Doing so could end up getting less interior space.

Comparing Lancer '07 and Forte '09 that are sharing the same platform. The Forte has slightly more space inside due to torsion beam and it has 2650mm wheelbase compared to 2635mm in Lancer. The weight difference is evident too. Kerb weight Lancer 2.0GT 1380kg, Lancer 2.0GL 1330k while Forte 2.0L at 1293kg, that explains where the Lancer gets the additional kerb weight. That is in the rear to give it better handling by increasing more weight to the rear to counter the front.

Hi weakmeal69,

Glad to meet some1 from engineering field. Is your thesis done on local shipping companies fleet or worldwide? If it is local, I am surprised to know that they already started using Hyundai diesel engine & genset? I am more used to CAT anyway. Thanks for the info.

In terms of automotive lines, the Koreans do posses some diesel technology that are better than its Japanese counterpart nowadays. Problem with Japan, they are not encouraged to go further into diesel, therefore their tech is dated compared to conti diesel engine and even Korean.

Your reply only fill in the blanks with foul language initial and there is entirely nothing. Today, you can find Forte in hot Arab desert where their regulation is breakdown must never happen. However, there is no Civic, no Teana, no Sylphy in hot Arab desert nowadays. However, you can still find old Accord in Arab large city but not selling well. They used to have N-brand but now fading and took over by Korean makes. Toyota, it will be there. Mazda, it is making its way there too.

Fact is, cars that are reliable, durable and practical only could make it into Arabs market. You could not even pinpoint technically what leg is weak? Do you mean the tie rod, lower arms, suspension, frame?

All I can say about my old Forte 1.6EX 4AT is that I could keep driving this car for over 10 years without problem as long as I keep it service. Korean makes, its engines & gearbox carried Japanese + American DNA whereas the design is german DNA.

If Kia willing to go further to provide conti handling, they'll have to fork out extra cost to give higher end suspension (upper part soft but lower part very stiff) that gives comfort and handling. If they were to do so, they'll end up having to sell more expensive than Japanese makes. In Australia, Mazda 6 costs more expensive than other Japanese D-segments despite same tax rate for all. Reason being, more ingredients being included.

There are facts that could not be found on Internet. Some details on cars, you can only obtain if you work in that company. Like you IC, address, full name, as long as you didn't post them on public Google search, the only way I could get them is through you directly.

Message to NASA marketing bunch:
- If wanted to bring in K3 Cerato 1.6L and 2.0L, make sure prepare test unit for both, 1.6L and 2.0L with license plate.
- If they do it like Forte back then, only prepare 1.6L test unit and no 2.0L test unit at all, except very few who got to curi2 drive already sold some1's car out to test drive. This will end up killing the 2.0L
- Stock up bulk spare parts including parts that people seldom change, at least prepare few each.

Price cut on all cars, can dream on. They won't be so generous.

the more you said the more confuse I become
NASA marketing.... sell what? chocolate?

the same thing i told my colleague when he got his forte at 3 years ago, when step into next year, u will see how much naza going to throw out a big discount to clear those old stock... 
but, after 3 years, naza didnt give any huge discount like last time, if u compared to citra, ria and etc... even 1 month before k3 launch, is there any huge discount to clear stock? NO!

where else, currently vios giving 10K, city 3.5-4K discount, last time u cant get these discount on toyota and honda, but why now? and this do affect their 2nd hand value! the world is changing, those who think they like taiko, used to sell 2.5K units per month, suddenly drop to half, they more deep shit if u compare to naza which all the while having low volume... 

sales volume for forte around 500-600 per month, of course lost to those volume seller, vios, city, civic... but still manage tag along with altis sales figure, sometimes better than altis... naza seems having better control for the "discount" factor in past 3-4 years, maybe under pressure from korean? who knows, at de end, they not the real boss for kia, what they done for citra and ria, and how it spoil the 2nd hand market, those korean knew also, i believe if they do it again, it would not surprise that Kia Malaysia will form and become the only distributor and manufacturer in malaysia.

I Myself la, wont buy a Cerato 2.0 for more that 110k actually. i would add in another 20-30k for civic/altis or get a better focus with 119k....... for Cerato 1.6 i also wont buy if more than 95k to be precise...98,888 is a greedy price.... i expected it to be 93,888 actually.....

Btw, if i not mistaken, forte will be phase out, motorman or 70 can verify on this?

When ncp42 replaced by dugong, there is no price slash for more than 10%. Count by discount price/official price, what umw did to vios now is insane.

nazaed it? swift done it also, but remain the badge.

manufacturer vs distributor... hmmmm, there is an example in late 90's. kah motor and honda malaysia. that can show who is the real boss then the manufacturer decided to take step.

You talk like there is everything including P&C on the Internet for free. Mind give me the URL website where I can find your full name, IC together with credit card number, expiry date and security code? Also, can you give me the link where I can find the gearbox model number for Latio? You lost your common sense in this one. Those feedback for NASA staff scouting here to read. Definitely not for you.

Back to facts talk about car price, manufacturer don't get to set selling price at will. You forgot the excise duty, sales tax, manufacturing cost, break even point, revenue, etc. What? You think your father owns the car pricing policy here? Google won't find you more details that are P&C, even actual tax rate on cars not available, you only get the general public info.

Old Forte rebadged under NASA get tax reduction for national car status exemption. That is why they get to sell 10% less than actual price. Else, under Kia badge, the old Forte 1.6EX 78k will be priced at RM90k, 1.6SX RM85k at RM97k while Forte 2.0 RM97k will become RM110k under earlier P1 protection policy with best negotiated tax rate. Now that there's Inspira & Preve, P1, tax rates on new K3 Cerato increased pushing the new car price further up, not to forget the K3 is CBU from Korea, only to get partial CKD status by assembling doors, seats and windscreens here.

Cost of producing a K3 Cerato costs more expensive than producing 1 Civic and Altis. The high tensile strength material, the 6AT gearbox, the dual VVT DOHC engine, VIS all required material and money to build. Rough breakdown example only, not accurate actual data for K3 Cerato 1.6L:
- the car cost RM15k to produce + Kia Korea revenue markup RM15k placing the car sales to NASA at RM30k.
- Shipping cost RM2k
- Tax Excise 90% RM28.8k (after adding shipping cost RM2k +30k = 32k)
- Sales tax another 30% RM18.24k
- This brings up to RM79.04k already, minus selling price RM100k, there is RM20.96k left for other expenses : transporting the car, royalty fees for Kia manufacturer and to feed salesman commission RM1500, staff, etc.

If tax rate follows global, the K3 Cerato 1.6 should be priced around RM60k under max tax rate. US tax rate on car is lowest while UK is highest in Europe.

Unlike you bunch, substandard products that you assemble here, you can throw CRA2Y discount like mad until ruining the RV of earlier buyers. Don't have to talk about others. How come X-Trail T31 you can sell at RM130 but the new X-Trail CBU from Indonesia sold at RM145k? Easy, because CKD here, you get more tax exemption and also, you can slash price as long as it is not against P1 protection policy and you can still cover royalty sales to N-brand Japan boss.

Your empty narrow Sylphy cost cutting to maximum is priced officially at RM120k that is higher than Focus at RM115k. What say you? Only rely on CRA2Y discount that do not declare officially, you get to sell it at RM107k yet can accept trade in old Sephia at RM10k. Hyundai-Kia, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, etc, they aren't going to give such CRA2Y discount due to higher cost & tax rate.

1 more thing, Focus is CBU from Thailand, therefore can reduce price further.

The Karate chop board theory is simplified law of physics to explain to non-technical yet arrogant marketing bunch like you. As I had been in accident in a car that has slippery surface aerodynamic, more curvy and oval on the fenders and doors when it got rammed from the side by speeding reckless Ah Beng breaking red lights at estimated over 100km/h, that was when I believe cars that passed  US/EU safety rating. Conti cars, proper Japanese makes and Korean makes, they all come with angled pillars, doors and fenders design that wasted some space interior space mainly for this purpose. That conti car I was in, it diverted the reckless Ah Beng force of impact and turned him elsewhere as he was bounced off and spun several rounds away. The car I was in, the side parts was all bent but not that severe and did not cave into door panels. This tells you not to buy cars with flat straight side and pillars like box such as Teana, Sylphy, X-Gear, etc. Sides like those will absorb the force of impact and penetrate into interior space and injuring anyone inside. Teana more spacious than Camry inside mainly by making the whole car flat reserve for interior space fully.

You can choose to deny your true identity. Since you doubt my indirect calculation, you can always check with Costing Department that handle your Assembly Plant in Sungai Buloh. That is only if they are willing to let you know.
- The material cost of producing 1 cheap substandard product of yours could be as low as RM6k to RM7k.
- Then add in the Base Royalty paid to your Japan boss, say another RM10k
- Then the excise duty + sales tax 25k bringing total cost to RM42k.
- There, you set selling price to Rm80k at Japanese quality price range. With this, you'll have the advantage to throw CRA2Y discount and high overtrade.

However, with X-Trail (CBU from Indonesia) and Navara (CBU from Thai), you can't do that due as you don't get to enjoy the extra cost saving and eventually lower base for tax. If N-brand Japan feasibility on Thai market is positive for Altima and Sentra, you will not be able to do what you could do with those substandard goods you brought in earlier.