As political tensions between South Korea and China ease, Kia is launching a new model onto the Chinese market.

The Korea Herald reports that it has released an upgraded Forte subcompact in China.

The report said a trilateral venture among Kia, Yueda and Dongfeng has unveiled the New Forte at a Hyundai Motor Group R&D centre in Yentai, China. The 1.6-litre car is equipped with a six-speed automatic or manual transmission as well as a voice-recognising navigation system developed by Chinese tech giant Baidu, the company said in a statement.

Hyundai and sister brand Kia have both been hit with plunging sales in China due to a diplomatic spat between Beijing and Seoul caused by the planned deployment of a US anti-missile system in South Korea.

The Korea Herald notes that in the January-September period, Kia’s sales in China halved to 212,677 vehicles from 423,688 units a year earlier.

However, the report says that Seoul and Beijing have recently agreed to improve bilateral ties.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.