Malaysia-made Hyundai STARIA heads to Thailand in first export shipment

KUALA LUMPUR: Hyundai Motor Malaysia (HMY) has shipped its first batch of locally assembled STARIA MPVs to Thailand, with the consignment leaving Malaysian shores on 3 June 2026. The 10-seater variant will go on sale to Thai customers from 12 June.

It's a notable moment for the brand here. The STARIA is HMY's first locally produced model, built together with assembly partner Inokom at Sime Motors' facility in Kulim, Kedah.

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Getting a Malaysian-made car onto shelves in a neighbouring market is the kind of thing that doesn't happen overnight, so the shipment carries a bit of weight beyond just moving units.

"The export of the Hyundai STARIA to Thailand marks the beginning of Malaysia being an export hub for Hyundai. This is a milestone we are proud of, as it reflects our brand's unwavering commitment to deliver vehicles of global quality, while continuing to invest in Malaysia's growth and development. Driven by our tagline Sentiasa di sisi anda, we are just getting started," said Jahabarnisa Haja Mohideen, Managing Director of Hyundai Motor Malaysia.

For context on where the STARIA sits in the market: the 7-seater version picked up MPV ICE of the Year at the Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) 2025 awards. That recognition covers the full range in terms of what it represents, and the 10-seater heading to Thailand shares the same platform, safety features, and overall package.

Whether this leads to more markets down the line remains to be seen, but HMY is clearly positioning the Kulim plant as more than just a domestic supply line.

For Malaysians though, the more immediate question is what comes next from that same facility. HMY has confirmed it will launch a B-segment MPV in Q4 2026, and it doesn't take much guesswork to figure out what it is.

The Hyundai Stargazer is the brand's only B-segment MPV globally, and it's already on sale across several ASEAN markets. Whether it arrives as a CKD or CBU unit isn't confirmed yet, though given that HMY's entire current lineup is or will be locally assembled, a Kulim-built Stargazer seems more likely than not. 

So what's the Stargazer actually like? Based on what's currently offered across the region, and bearing in mind that Malaysian specs haven't been confirmed:

The powertrain across ASEAN markets is a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 113PS and 144Nm, paired to Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).

The car measures 4,575mm long, 1,780mm wide, and 1,710mm tall, riding on a 2,780mm wheelbase, which puts it squarely in the same ballpark as the Mitsubishi Xpander and Toyota Veloz.

On the interior, the facelifted Stargazer Cartenz (as it's now called in Indonesia) gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, with higher trims offering captain seats in the second row, ventilated front seats, a driver power seat, paddle shifters, and a Bose premium audio system. Safety kit includes ABS, brake assist, VSC, hill-start assist, and a rear camera. 

Again, none of that is a guarantee of what Malaysia will get. Specs, pricing, and trim levels could look quite different once HMY puts together a local package.

But as a baseline, the ASEAN Stargazer is a reasonably well-equipped family hauler going up against the Perodua Alza, Toyota Veloz, and Mitsubishi Xpander. Q4 2026 isn't that far off.

Also Read: Hyundai Stargazer MPV coming to Malaysia, here’s what to expect?