We already reported that Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), the exclusive distributor of Kia Vehicles in the country, has begun pre-selling the 11-seater Grand Carnival last Christmas for just P 1,575,000. The reason for that aggressive pricing can now be told: the passage and implementation of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement or AKFTA.

In a statement released to the press, CAC President Ms. Ginia R. Domingo says that lower tariffs will mean a more competitively priced local lineup from Kia Philippines. In fact, this will enable Kia to introduce more products this year.

“Lower tariff duties should augur well for our entire line. In fact, Kia’s latest offerings to be rolled out this year, like the Kia Soul MT and Kia Grand Carnival 11-seater, will already be more competitively priced because of the AKFTA”, Domingo said.

The AKFTA also enables distributors such as CAC to add even more options to their product variants enhancing its value-for-money proposition.

“Overall, we strongly support the Agreement’s main objective of strengthening trade and economic relations among ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea, and CAC is very positive that this will redound to a more progressive and dynamic automotive market and heightened competitiveness and demand for KIA vehicles,” Domingo declared.