Buyers after an affordable Chinese alternative to the Kia Carnival are out of luck, at least in the short-term.
The LDV Mifa people mover has been removed from the Chinese brand’s local website.
“LDV Australia has paused the LDV Mifa for the time being as we continue to monitor the people-mover market,” said an LDV Australia spokesperson.
“We will of course continue to support all our LDV Mifa customers with ongoing parts and service across the LDV dealer network.”
This applies to both the petrol-powered Mifa and the electric Mifa 9.
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LDV Australia’s statement indicates the Mifa hasn’t been discontinued, but it’s unclear when it’ll go back on sale.
Despite undercutting the Carnival, the Mifa has failed to fire in Australia.
To the end of November, LDV has delivered 166 Mifas in Australia. The considerably more expensive, all-electric Mifa 9 has recorded just three deliveries this year.
In their first full year on sale, 2023, LDV delivered 452 Mifas and 12 Mifa 9s, rising to 474 and 20, respectively, in 2024.
But as with every other model in the wider people mover segment, the Carnival has demolished its Chinese challenger.
Last year, Kia delivered 10,080 Carnivals in total, giving it a whopping 74 per cent share of the overall people mover market. The mechanically related Hyundai Staria was a distant second with 1363 deliveries.
The Mifa 9 was the first electric people mover in Australia, beating Mercedes-Benz and fellow Chinese brand Zeekr.
A raft of Chinese brands are now planning to launch either electric or plug-in hybrid people movers in Australia, including Xpeng, GWM and Denza.