Kia has reiterated its plans to launch an electrical ute, and it initiatives the battery-powered mannequin can be extra widespread than the upcoming Tasman.
At its 2025 investor day, Kia as soon as once more spoke of the upcoming electrical car (EV), which is ready to be constructed and offered in North America.
Although we nonetheless don’t have a possible launch date, Kia says it will definitely plans to promote 90,000 examples of the electrical ute yearly – about 10,000 greater than the Tasman.
Whereas the EV can be unique to North America, the Tasman can be offered in South Korea, Australia and different widespread markets for turbo-diesel utes of comparable measurement.
A whole lot of recent automotive offers can be found by CarExpert proper now. Get the specialists in your aspect and rating an excellent deal. Browse now.
-
Kia Tasman
“Kia goals to fulfill various market wants for pickup vehicles with each inner combustion engine (ICE) and EV fashions,” the carmaker mentioned.
“The model’s first pickup truck, the Tasman, will launch in Korea, Australia and rising markets, with an annual gross sales goal of 80,000 models and a six p.c market share.
“In North America, Kia plans to introduce an EV pickup truck primarily based on a brand new EV platform designed for each city and out of doors use.
“With this revolutionary mannequin, Kia targets mid-to-long-term annual gross sales of 90,000 models and a seven p.c market share.
“The car will function best-in-class inside and cargo area, a sturdy towing system, off-road capabilities, and superior infotainment and security options.”
It’s not but clear what’s going to underpin the North American electrical ute, although given Kia has beforehand mentioned it’ll be a “devoted” EV, it’s prone to not be a body-on-frame chassis.
Sadly it’s unlikely we’ll see it in Australia, as Kia’s West Level, Georgia plant within the US solely builds left-hand drive fashions.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply we gained’t see an electrical Kia ute in Australia, because the Tasman could be very prone to ultimately undertake battery energy.
In December, Kia South Africa’s head of promoting, Christo Valentyn, advised CarBuzz {that a} totally electrical model of the Tasman is occurring.
“I’m in all probability not purported to say this, however… an electrical one is coming,” Mr Valentyn reportedly mentioned at a media roundtable.
Talking to Australian media on the native launch of the Tasman in November, Kia Australia product planning common supervisor Roland Rivero mentioned “there’s no sacred cows” when requested whether or not there’s potential for mild-hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and all-electric variations of the brand new ute.
“We’ll have a look at over the course of its product life cycle, what we have to do to proceed to take care of that gross sales plan of 20,000 [sales] or 10 per cent of the market.”
Whereas some carmakers are lowering the emissions of sure fashions by providing electrified alternate options – forward of Australia imposing penalties underneath the New Car Effectivity Customary (NVES) from July – Mr Rivero mentioned Kia gained’t want to take action with the Tasman simply but.
“We even have a chance as a result of, maybe in contrast to different manufacturers, we’ve obtained different [EV] merchandise doing the heavy lifting underneath the NVES to assist construct up some credit,” he mentioned in November.
“Regardless of our ICE choices which can be coming – K4 and Tasman – we do have EV5 and EV3 and so they can do the preliminary heavy lifting.”
MORE: Electrical Kia Tasman nonetheless on the playing cards
MORE: Kia’s different ute might miss the boat to Australia
