Kia elevated the variety of pickup vehicles in its lineup from zero to at least one with the announcement of its plucky Kia Tasman in 2024. Regardless of its polarizing design, Kia considers the truck a hit and is celebrating by releasing a second pickup truck: an electrical car that, in contrast to the Tasman, is coming to North America.
“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,” the corporate mentioned in a press release this week. “The car will characteristic best-in-class inside and cargo house, a strong towing system, off-road capabilities and superior infotainment and security options.”
Exterior of the announcement, particulars are pretty slim, however some conclusions could be drawn from Kia’s statements. The inclusion of off-road capabilities will set the upcoming EV aside from the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is at the moment the one pickup truck Kia or its sister firm sells within the US proper now.
It will be on a brand new EV platform, so it will even be set aside from the corporate’s current EV choices, just like the Kia EV6. The infotainment will possible be much like present mannequin Kia EVs and automobiles, just like the dual-display know-how within the newer Kia Sportage SUVs.
Can a Kia-made EV pickup succeed within the US?
Per the press launch, Kia is anticipating to promote roughly 90,000 of those new EV pickups per yr, a lofty aim in a market the place the Ford F-150 Lightning is barely hitting 30,000 models bought. By most accounts, it is an bold gross sales aim to hit for a car that’ll characterize Kia’s first try at appeasing the US truck purchaser market. Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless room for optimism.
“The fashions constructed on the eGMP line bought over 100K models in 2024,” mentioned Liz Najman, director of market insights at Recurrent, an organization that gives unbiased insights on EV efficiency. “Furthermore, just like the EV6, Kia pickups will possible be made within the US, serving to keep away from expensive tariffs that can drive up costs for shoppers. It’s possible that value shall be a significant component for shoppers within the coming years.”
Najman additionally mentioned that vehicles had been the 2 top-selling automobiles in 2024, so it is doable that Kia can attain its gross sales objectives, offered that the automaker can hit that candy spot of aggressive pricing and functionality.
“Once you have a look at electrical automobile gross sales, each the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Jeep Wrangler PHEV bought over 50K models in 2024, and naturally the Mannequin 3 and the Mannequin Y bought 150K+ and 370K+ models,” Najman mentioned. “Electrical automobiles are seeing robust gross sales numbers once they ship on what prospects need.”
