is that means that Korean car gonna be cheaper?

[BlackSamurai]

Korea-ASEAN FTA, Something to do with ASEAN and Korea agreement to import/export good in lower tax. Sorry, news in Mandarin.

http://www.sinchew.com.my/content.phtml?sec=1&artid=200706052652

Update:
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200706/200706040003.html

Korea-ASEAN FTA Takes Effect http://english.chosun.com/new/img/clear.gif

A free trade agreement took effect Friday between Korea and five member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Under the deal, trade barriers have been lifted on all imports from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Myanmar. A similar accord between Korea and other members of the association excluding Thailand is in the final phase of ratification. Seoul concluded the free trade deal with nine ASEAN members last year with the goal of liberalizing merchandise trade by the year 2010. Market experts say the agreement will raise Korea's real GDP by 0.6 percent.

 

[acbc]

Korean cars definitely cheaper than Euro and Jap except China of course. However, quality-wise, Korean is better than China in many ways.

A typical 2.0L Hyundai Sonata full-spec costs around RM 50k in Korea (read abt the prices during my trip back in 2002). There's one that I like, it's the Hyundai Equus full-spec with 8A80 V8 engine... yummy!

 

[Ace]

even now, the new sonata is still cheaper than any other makes.

 

[TCSIM]

Agree.. Nowadays in Singapore, they are using Sonata as taxi!!!! I believe there might be diesel version

 

[acbc]

Yes they do in Korea. For every petrol variant, there are also turbo diesel variant.

Eg.

Kia Carnival 2.5L V6 24V and Kia Carnival 2.9L DOHC 16V turbo diesel

If u a fan of Korean cars, try taking a trip to Seoul for a vacation... guarantee drooling for days... there are many variants to choose from.

 

[Ace]

when I test drove the new sonata. it make me so tempting to buy it. So smooth the gear change and the comfort which is better then the current camry.(I test drove before). But when I was told it is widely use as a taxi in Singapore, that stop my mind. Its the same like germany where they use merc as taxi but at least the country is far far away. I bet if it is right at our neighbour country, merc wouldn't be seen as luxury car anymore. Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[TCSIM]

Ace,
That's not true.. There are private Sonata and Merc on Singapore roads.. Not all of them are taxi.. I never relate privately owned Sonata and Merc to taxi unless they are of same color as in white Merc and blue Sonata.. So make sure you don't buy blue Sonata then it will be good!

 

[acbc]

Only problem with Korean marques is the poor resale value. They tend to drop FAST! Example is my mom's Kia Carnival (2002). Bought at RM 160k. After 5 years (and finally paid up the load), the resale value stood at RM 50k only. Lesser still if condition is not tip top.

 

[Ace]

tcsim,
I know your point, but the things is that majority of the taxi in Singapore already using sonata and thats the turn off point. In Germany when I'm in Frankfurt, there is tons and tons of taxi merc on the road except audi and vw. mostly white and silver.

back to the point, its a very welcome news for a korean to be cheaper as our local car market will be affected by that otherwise "they" will keep raising up the price.

 

[TCSIM]

Ace,
I think it's your personal favourite and thinking that will help you to decide which car you buy. If you go to Bangkok, then I bet you will not even consider Toyota Vios no matter what color it is.. Hahahhahah

 

[BlackSamurai]

Aaron, actually I seriously want to know who actually control the resales value.

 

[Ace]

tcsim,
I have no problems with korean car. Its just that the resale value is killing off the mood. But then again, you maybe right as well. hehe

 

[BlackSamurai]

acbc, Kia was killed by Naza-Kia. They first launch the CBU model fully import from Korea, which is damn expensive after tax, and later Naza launch the CKD model, which kill the CBU price. This is not the correct way of doing business.

 

[TCSIM]

Totally agree with BS.. We can never ever spoil market mah.. Wonder when are they going to launch a new model Naza - Rafidah...

 

[Ace]

but, it is also due to Hyundai and Kia that brought down the car market price which is good for the consumer.

 

[Daniel Lee]

Hope that we will have cheaper Korean CBU cars on sales in Malaysia soon.

 

[BlackSamurai]

but, it is also due to Hyundai and Kia that brought down the car market price which is good for the consumer.

if the initial objective is to bring the price down, then those model start with CKD, shall not ever bring CBU model in and selling CKD later. CBU owner will cry for big price drop (after CKD model launched) and hence lost the royalty ship to the brand.

For example, Honda Accord, 2.0 and 2.4 is CKD, 3.0 is CBU, the price already stated up front.

 

[wwshyue]

Hei guys,

my parents are considering to buy a second hand Kia car (Spectra or Rio)
I see the prices for 2002-2003 car is so low, so attractive.....but dunno whether Kia car is ok or not.....i hope they are as good as our hyundai coupe
Anyone having any info to share??
Usual questions before buying car....car, engine, FC, spare parts or whatever info you guys have....please share with me....

 

[limch1]

Everyone is just tyring to make maximum profit out of the car. Even the workshop guy is doing the same thing. Beware of imitation as well as I noticed Kah Bintang at 222 is not using Hyundai original when I changed my timing belt last time. All original product should have a Hyundai logo there.

Korean engine will not have a better FC than Japanese car. Spare parts will not be cheaper than Japanese car too.

 

[Daniel Lee]

Hei guys,

my parents are considering to buy a second hand Kia car (Spectra or Rio)
I see the prices for 2002-2003 car is so low, so attractive.....but dunno whether Kia car is ok or not.....i hope they are as good as our hyundai coupe
Anyone having any info to share??
Usual questions before buying car....car, engine, FC, spare parts or whatever info you guys have....please share with me....

Kelvin,
just a little bit of my knowledge about Kia Spectra as one of my friend is currently owning one.
Spare parts are easily available but the FC is very bad.
1.6l engine FC is worse than our 1.8l beta engine.