It’s official: The all-electric Kia pickup truck is on its method. Though we had a suspicion, Kia confirmed an EV model of its Tasman pickup is coming quickly. Right here’s what to anticipate.
After teasing its first pickup truck for what appeared like eternally, Kia lastly unveiled the Tasman in October. Though many, together with myself, had been hoping for an electrical mannequin, we solely received a 2.2-liter diesel engine.
That may quickly change. We knew an EV model was within the works after Kia revealed plans to launch two electrical pickups throughout its 2022 CEO Investor Day. Kia stated one mannequin will probably be for rising markets whereas the opposite is a devoted EV pickup.
Within the US, the place SUVs and vans dominate gross sales, Kia stated, “Electrical variations of those fashions will probably be produced domestically.”
Now, it’s official. An govt confirmed that Kia will launch an EV model of the Tasman pickup. In keeping with CarBuzz, Kia’s head of selling for South Africa, Christo Valentyn, stated throughout a media occasion earlier this month, “I’m in all probability not presupposed to say this, however… an electrical one is coming.”
At 5,410 mm lengthy, 1,930 mm extensive, and 1,870 mm tall, Kia’s Tasman is barely smaller than the Ford F-150 Lightning (5,885 mm lengthy, 2,029 mm extensive, and 1,961 mm tall). Will probably be a direct rival to the Toyota Tacoma and Hilux.
Is Kia launching an EV pickup within the US?
That is the primary time Kia has formally confirmed an electrical Tasman is within the works. Though Kia stated its modular platform was versatile sufficient to suit totally different powertrains, an EV model was by no means talked about.
The electrical pickup was already noticed testing within the US earlier this yr (see the video under). Though it’s arduous to verify, the check mule doesn’t look like the Tasman. It seems to be to have a design nearer to Kia’s three-row EV9 SUV.
Kia’s electrical pickup will compete towards a rising variety of EV vans, together with the Ford F-150 Lightning, Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, Chevy Silverado EV, and extra. It’s additionally anticipated to problem world top-selling gasoline and hybrid pickups just like the Toyota Hilux.
Will Kia launch its EV pickup within the US? That’s but to be confirmed. Nevertheless, it will solely make sense after Kia’s guardian firm, Hyundai Motor Group, not too long ago began manufacturing at its large new manufacturing plant in Georgia.
Kia is already constructing the three-row EV9 in Georgia. With America’s love for pickups, Kia’s electrical Tasman is anticipated to make its technique to the states.
Valentyn added that “you need to be respectful of the segment-leaders,” referring to Ford and Toyota. To compete, it would doubtless must be constructed within the US.
Kia is launching the Tasman in Korea within the first half of 2025, adopted by Australia, Africa, The Center East, Saudi Arabia, and different markets. In some abroad markets, like Australia, a plug-in hybrid model is anticipated to launch.
Would you purchase an electrical Kia pickup over Ford’s F-150 Lightning or Tesla Cybertruck? Tell us within the feedback under.
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