Kia is upping the variety of pickup truck fashions it makes, taking it from one to 2. Final 12 months, the corporate introduced its plucky Kia Tasman, which it considers a hit, regardless of the polarizing design. And Kia is celebrating by releasing a second pickup: an electrical automobile that, in contrast to the Tasman, is coming to North America.
“Kia plans to introduce an EV pickup truck primarily based on a brand new EV platform designed for each city and outside use,” the corporate stated in a press release final week. “The automobile will characteristic best-in-class inside and cargo area, a sturdy towing system, off-road capabilities and superior infotainment and security options.”
Particulars proper now are pretty slim, however some conclusions will 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 present the one pickup truck Kia or its sister firm sells within the US proper now.
It’s going to be on a brand new EV platform, so it will even be set aside from the corporate’s present EV choices, just like the Kia EV6. The infotainment will seemingly be just like present mannequin Kia EVs and autos, just like the dual-display expertise within the more moderen Kia Sportage SUVs.
Will a Kia EV pickup succeed within the US?
Per the press launch, Kia is anticipating to promote roughly 90,000 of those new EV pickups per 12 months, 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 automobile that’ll symbolize Kia’s first try at appeasing the US truck purchaser market. Nevertheless, there may be nonetheless room for optimism.
“The fashions constructed on the eGMP line bought over 100K models in 2024,” stated Liz Najman, director of market insights at Recurrent, an organization that provides unbiased insights on EV efficiency. “Furthermore, just like the EV6, Kia pickups will seemingly be made within the US, serving to keep away from pricey tariffs that can drive up costs for customers. It’s seemingly that value will likely be a significant factor for customers within the coming years.”
Najman additionally stated that vans had been the 2 top-selling autos in 2024, so it is attainable that Kia can attain its gross sales targets, offered that the automaker can hit that candy spot of aggressive pricing and functionality.
“While you have a look at electrical automotive 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 stated. “Electrical autos are seeing robust gross sales numbers after they ship on what clients need.”
