The Kia Tasman Pickup Truck Is Going Global… But What About America?
Key Takeaways
- Kia reveals the name of its new midsize pickup truck: Kia Tasman.
- Midsize pickup truck to launch in Korea, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East in 2025.
- While not confirmed for the US, the Tasman has been spied on US soil, suggesting strong consideration for the North American market.
It’s official: the midsize Kia pickup truck will be called the Tasman. Alright, we kinda knew this was going to be the case after trademark filings pointed to it, but Kia has now made it official. And here’s something that wasn’t confirmed: the Kia Tasman is going global and will be available in more markets than just Australia. Confirmed in an announcement earlier today, the Kia Tasman will be sold in:
- Korea
- Australia
- Africa
- Middle East
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If you’re worried that the United States isn’t on that list, then there’s a glimmer of hope, as the exact wording of the announcements says “markets such as” suggesting more markets could be under consideration, giving American Kia lovers something vastly more rugged than the Telluride SUV. As the pickup truck capital of the world, the US has to be in consideration. But for the markets confirmed, the ‘phased global launch’ will start in 2025.
Why Call It The Tasman?
Kia says the Tasman name was selected from a pool of suggestions from all its global markets but was initially proposed by Kia Australia, where the trademark filings were first identified. It’s derived from Tasmania, the ‘island of inspiration’ and the Tasman Sea, and was chosen as the perfect representation for the truck given the island’s “unique blend of diverse wilderness and cultural richness.” Kia says the name “encapsulates this spirit of adventure, reflecting the rugged nature and capabilities of Kia’s upcoming pickup truck.”
This will be Kia’s first entry into the mid-size pickup segment, having previously only dabbled in commercial vehicles. However, as we’ve explored in the past, Kia has all the necessary tools to make the Tasman a success, even if its engines at launch will be somewhat underwhelming.
OK, But Is It Coming To America?
Despite being a new entrant, Kia knows the Tasman has to get it right the first time. Describing the truck as “not just a practical work partner, the Kia Tasman redefines the concept of a lifestyle pickup to offer a suitable companion for a dynamic 24/7 lifestyle,” Kia wants the Tasman to be all things to all people. That’s perhaps why it has been developed with some of the best trucks in the business, with the Tasman spotted earlier this year being benchmarked against the Ford Ranger Raptor. That’s the same Ranger Raptor we get in the US.
While it hasn’t been confirmed for North America, the fact that American competition is being benchmarked bodes well. But you know what bodes even better? The Kia Tasman has been spied testing in California, suggesting an even greater likelihood of it coming stateside. Kia North America’s representatives have given us the usual line about not commenting on future products and refusing to discuss the pickup truck market, but at the very least, it’s a consideration for us.
