Presumably with tongue planted firmly in cheek, Kia Australia has announced a "high technology breakthrough" in its Ceres truck.

Yes folks, it’s now possible to turn on the heater in a Ceres, without stopping and opening the engine bay by folding the passenger’s seat.

Until now, turning on the heater in a Ceres has involved the following four steps, as detailed in the Owner’s Manual:

1. Fold the passenger’s seat.
2. Open the water valve in the engine room.
3. Start the engine.
4. Push the heater fan switch.

Not exactly 90s convenience, but now, with a handy genuine spare part which Kia foppishly calls a heater control cable (available through Kia Australia’s national dealer network) turning on the heater is as easy as pulling a dashboard knob.

"The heater control cable represents a major leap forward in Ceres technology," said the general manager of Kia Motors Australia, David Hughes. "I know it will make lots of owners feel nice and warm."

Since its reintroduction to the Australian market in mid-1999, Kia’s simple-but-reliable Ceres has dominated the light truck market, winning market leadership in its class for several months.

While it may be short on features and, when the beautiful designs were being handed out, was definitely locked in a bomb shelter with the accountants, you can’t argue the value.

There aren’t too many 2.4-litre diesel trucks capable of hauling 1.2 tonnes around for $ 12,990 brand new. In fact apart from Ceres there aren’t any.

It is priced at less than half of its major rivals, making it the darling of self employed trades people Australia wide.

Now, of course, they can warm to more than just the price and the reliability of Kia’s little truck - all they have to do is pull the heater knob. (Which probably won’t mean that much with summer’s heat just beginning, but they’ll be set for next winter!)