The Bangkok Post reports that Yontrakit Group is the favourite to win the contract to assemble Kia cars in Thailand. The decision will be known within the next few weeks.


The newspaper report says that the model set to be built at Yontrakit’s YMC General Assembly plant in Lat Krabang is the Carnival full-sized seven-seat MPV. Models from other brands already assembled there include the BMW 5-series, Audi A6, Volkswagen Passat and Peugeot 406.


A new 2003 Carnival model is due in less than six months and would be the one to be made in Thailand. Annual output of around 9,000 to 10,000 units of the vehicle is expected.