QUANG NAM (Biz Hub) — The Truong Hai Automobile Company (Thaco) has introduced the locally made new Kia Sorento at showrooms across the nation this month.

The Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) has been the second design unveiled by the brand, which is being manufactured at the Thaco Kia Plant in the Truong Hai-Chu Lai Auto Complex in the central Quang Nam Province.

The new diesel engine Sorento, which is offered at a price of VND1 billion (US$47,600), will offer a boost to the SUV segment of the auto market during the second quarter of 2014.

The car maker sold 28,284 vehicles last year and recorded a 14 per cent growth. Kia posted the best sales figure of 8,870 cars last year.

Thaco has so far manufactured and distributed three brands: Kia of South Korea, Mazda of Japan, and France's Peugeot.

The company launched the first locally made Peugeot 408 model, in collaboration with the French automaker, Peugeot, before manufacturing and assembling the Peugeot 3008 model. — VNS