Asia Motors Fiat 124 (Asia-assembled) History

After the Korean government's 1962 knock-down assembly law waived import duties on CKD parts, Asia Motors negotiated a license agreement with Fiat and began assembling the Fiat 124 in Gwangju in 1970. The car was sold locally as the 'Fiat 124' (sometimes called the Fiat-KIA 124) and was one of the first Western-designed sedans built in South Korea.

Production ran from 1970 to approximately 1975, with around 6,775 units assembled. The 124's 1,197 cc inline-four was left essentially unchanged, though the suspension was reportedly stiffened to better suit Korean road conditions. The model was discontinued as Asia Motors shifted focus toward commercial vehicles and the military truck contracts that Kia's 1976 acquisition brought with it.