Fake News Has Reached ASEAN Automotive Media with Kia Optima

While the term "fake news" has seemingly permeated society from all corners of the globe, no thanks to satire news sites and its gullible readers, it seems it has affected the ASEAN automotive media as well after the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) came out with a statement saying that it has never tested the Kia Optima.

ASEAN NCAP had to issue the statement after it reportedly received numerous queries from the public asking if the organization has tested the Korean midsize sedan. The barrage of queries started after numerous publications in Malaysia, both print and online, published the launch of the Kia Optima in the local market where they stated that the vehicle received a five-star rating from the ASEAN NCAP.

“We regret to inform that ASEAN NCAP has never assessed (the) Kia Optima GT,” the organization said in its statement. “The only Kia cars tested by ASEAN NCAP was (the) Kia Picanto (for Thailand and Malaysian market) and (the) Kia Morning (the model shares similar platform as Picanto but for Indonesian market). We urge the public to always check ASEAN NCAP website for the correct rating.”

What's mentioned in the stories of the Kia Optima's launch that's actually true though is that it passed the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) and received a five-star safety rating with scores in the following categories: Adult Occupant (89%); Child Occupant (86%); Pedestrian (67%); and Safety Assist (71%).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDIqEmeiKJo

According to the organization, it will contact Kia to inform the carmaker about the incorrect announcement and will obtain from it "further explanation on this matter."