Kia Australia Confirms Upcoming Ute with All-Australian Commercial

Introduction

Kia Australia has officially announced the imminent arrival of its long-awaited ute/pickup truck and has unveiled a commercial to build excitement around it.

The Commercial

The commercial features 20 of Australia’s most renowned sports stars, such as Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin, John Aloisi, and Alexander Volkanovski, each suggesting a name for the upcoming pickup.

The Name

Although Kia has not yet revealed the official name of the ute, it is widely speculated to be called the Kia Tasman. This name draws inspiration from the Tasman Sea that separates Australia and New Zealand.

Powertrain and Launch

Kia has been developing the ute since early 2019 and plans to launch it next year. Positioned as a competitor to the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, the Kia Tasman is expected to offer a range of powertrains, including a diesel option featuring the company’s 2.2-liter CRDi turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Expressions of Interest

Kia Australia is now accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) on their website for both private and fleet customers. Those who sign up will receive regular updates leading up to the Australian launch in 2025.

Future Developments

Aside from the Tasman, Kia is also working on another pickup for the U.S. market, which will be an all-electric vehicle based on the E-GMP platform.