Kia Unveils Authentic Pickup Tasman... "Aiming for 5% Global Market Share Excluding the US" (Comprehensive)

Kia Turns Attention to Pickup Truck Markets Outside the US
First Unveiled in Promising Middle East Market
Price Set to Compete with Large SUVs
Produced at Kia Hwaseong Plant, Exported Globally
'Frame Body' Tasman Expected to Continue Mohave's Legacy

"The global pickup market excluding the United States is about 2 million units. We aim to secure a market share of 4-5% within that."

On the 29th (local time) at the 'Jeddah International Motor Show' in Saudi Arabia, Kia President Song Ho-sung said this. On this day, Kia unveiled the Tasman, the brand's first pickup truck, for the first time in the world at the largest automotive exhibition in the Middle East. Kia aims to develop the Tasman as a strategic model specialized for regions where pickup trucks are needed, including the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and South America.

The Tasman is Kia's first authentic pickup truck. The name Tasman is derived from Tasmania, located at the southernmost tip of Australia, and the Tasman Sea. Sales are scheduled to begin in the domestic market in the first half of next year, followed by overseas countries with developed pickup markets such as Australia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Kia President Song Ho-sung is explaining the brand's first pickup truck, the 'Tasman,' at the Jeddah Motor Show in Saudi Arabia on the 29th (local time).
[Photo by Kia]

◆ Why the Tasman debuted first in the Middle East= Kia chose Saudi Arabia as the debut stage for the Tasman because it is one of the few markets where the pickup market is developed, along with the United States and Australia. Currently, the largest pickup market in the world is the United States. However, due to tariff issues related to the FTA, it is difficult to secure price competitiveness for export pickup trucks in the U.S.

Therefore, Kia turned its attention to other markets such as Australia, the Middle East, Africa, and South America, excluding the U.S. Instead of a large pickup preferred by Americans, Kia prepared a mid-size pickup truck by lowering the vehicle class one step. Kia expressed confidence in the Australian market, where pickup demand is solid, but viewed the Middle East as an important battleground for the success of the Tasman due to its market potential. President Song said, "We wanted to target the Middle East market first, which has greater growth potential than mature pickup markets like Australia," explaining why Saudi Arabia was chosen as the debut stage for the Tasman.

Pickup trucks, as practical vehicles, are more sensitive to price than other vehicle types. In Korea, pickup trucks are subject to cargo vehicle taxes, but in terms of actual purchase price, they are competitive enough to rival large SUVs. President Song said, "We are trying to set a price range where general consumers can consider and choose between large SUVs and the Tasman (pickup truck)."

(Photo from left) Ahmedi Sowdodi, Executive Director of Product and Marketing at Kia Middle East and Africa Headquarters; Song Ho-sung, President of Kia; Karim Habib, Vice President of Kia Global Design; Jang Su-hang, Executive Director of Kia Middle East and Africa Headquarters, are taking a commemorative photo with the Tasman vehicle at the Jeddah Motor Show on the 29th (local time). Photo by Kia

◆ Tasman, the birth of an 'authentic pickup' continuing the Mohave lineage= Kia developed the Tasman as an authentic pickup truck with customized development from the chassis to design, safety, and convenience features. First, a frame body (a method where the body is mounted on a steel frame) was applied to the chassis.

Until now, the only frame body vehicle in Kia's lineup was the large sport utility vehicle (SUV) Mohave. With the Mohave effectively discontinued as of July, the Tasman will now carry on Kia's frame body lineage. Applying a frame body increases vehicle rigidity and durability against road shocks.

Kia positioned the Tasman's air intake not at the front of the vehicle but inside the upper part of the side fender. This was to secure fording performance capable of moving through water 800mm deep at a speed of 7 km/h. At the same time, cooling performance was optimized to enable towing of trailers or yachts up to 3,500 kg. The vehicle is also equipped with 'Auto Terrain Mode,' where artificial intelligence (AI) assesses the road surface and automatically selects the appropriate driving mode, and a 'Ground View Monitor' that shows the underside of the vehicle on an internal monitor while driving.

Kia Tasman

Kia made the Tasman, an authentic pickup truck, comfortable for everyday use as well. To improve the discomfort of the second-row seats typical of pickup trucks, Kia applied a sliding-linked reclining function for the first time in its class. As the backrest reclines, the seat moves forward about 6 cm simultaneously. This is to ensure that second-row passengers can sit comfortably during travel.

Kia equipped the Tasman with a gasoline 2.5 turbo engine delivering a maximum output of 281 horsepower (PS) and a maximum torque of 43 kgf·m. The diesel model is powered by a 2.2 diesel engine producing 210 horsepower. Additionally, the launch of electrified models such as electric vehicles and hybrids is under consideration.

To reduce noise entering the cabin, Kia applied double-glazed soundproof glass to the front and first row and optimally designed ventilation channels leading from outside to inside to minimize road noise intrusion. The Tasman's cargo capacity is 1,173 liters, the largest in its class. It can carry up to 700 kg of cargo.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.