A new generation of Kia Motors’ big MPV/minivan has been revealed online. The KA4 series model will again be sold as the Carnival in South Korea and many other countries, while the Sedona name should be retained for North America.
The front end is especially striking with a large grille and multi-element headlights/DRL, while at the back there are full-width tail lamps. As before, the Carnival features sliding rear doors.
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In the home market the new model will dominate a segment which most rivals have abandoned, although Hyundai has the aged Grand Starex and GM Korea now imports the Chevy Traverse crossover. In North America, the main rivals are the Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey.
Number 1 plant in Gwangmyeong, just south of Seoul, should again be the main manufacturing base. One of DYK’s Yancheng factories in China’s Jiangsu province should also switch over to the new model but probably not until 2021. As Kia’s Penukonda plant has only recently restarted CKD assembly of the YP shape Carnival, the Indian factory likely won’t gain KA4 until next year either. In fact, local media claim the UM architecture model might be assembled at the Andra Pradesh site until perhaps 2022.
Kia says the new Carnival will go on sale in South Korea during the next quarter. Powertrains details are yet to be announced and the same applies to the platform, which could be either a revamp of UM or a variation of HMG’s newer N3.
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