New Kia Tasman bakkie heads to SA to compete against Ford Ranger
Kia SA CEO Gary Scott says the Tasman will be sold locally but has not confirmed when it will arrive
23 April 2024 - 09:52
by Denis Droppa
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Under the disguise the Tasman has a boxy shape with a snub nose, prominent wheel arches and chunky tyres. Picture: SUPPLIED
Kia has shown the first official image of its new Tasman bakkie, and confirmed the one-tonner will come to SA to compete against the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.
On Monday the Korean carmaker released a picture of the double cab shrouded in colourful camouflage and said the bakkie will be launched in select markets including Africa, Australia, Korea and the Middle East.
Kia SA CEO Gary Scott said the Tasman would be sold locally though he did not confirm when it would arrive.
Speaking at the local launch of the facelifted Picanto hatchback in Cape Town on Monday, Scott said the bakkie “must be relevant for SA” and he did not want it to be a low-volume vehicle.
Most imported bakkies have traditionally not fared well in SA, selling in small numbers compared to the locally built Hilux, Ranger and Isuzu D-Max.
Kia has achieved local sales success with its K2500 and K2700 workhorse single cabs but the Tasman will be the first time it enters the highly competitive leisure double cab segment.
Kia did not reveal technical details of the Tasman but it is expected to have diesel power and a 3,500kg towing capacity to match its main rivals.
The Tasman’s bright camouflage wrap was developed in collaboration with Australian and New Zealand mixed media artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop, and is called “The Path Never Taken”.
Under the disguise, the Tasman has a boxy, monolithic shape with a snub nose, prominent wheel arches and chunky tyres.
Watch this space for more details as they become available.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
New Kia Tasman bakkie heads to SA to compete against Ford Ranger
Kia SA CEO Gary Scott says the Tasman will be sold locally but has not confirmed when it will arrive
Kia has shown the first official image of its new Tasman bakkie, and confirmed the one-tonner will come to SA to compete against the likes of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.
On Monday the Korean carmaker released a picture of the double cab shrouded in colourful camouflage and said the bakkie will be launched in select markets including Africa, Australia, Korea and the Middle East.
Kia SA CEO Gary Scott said the Tasman would be sold locally though he did not confirm when it would arrive.
Speaking at the local launch of the facelifted Picanto hatchback in Cape Town on Monday, Scott said the bakkie “must be relevant for SA” and he did not want it to be a low-volume vehicle.
Most imported bakkies have traditionally not fared well in SA, selling in small numbers compared to the locally built Hilux, Ranger and Isuzu D-Max.
Kia has achieved local sales success with its K2500 and K2700 workhorse single cabs but the Tasman will be the first time it enters the highly competitive leisure double cab segment.
Kia did not reveal technical details of the Tasman but it is expected to have diesel power and a 3,500kg towing capacity to match its main rivals.
The Tasman’s bright camouflage wrap was developed in collaboration with Australian and New Zealand mixed media artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop, and is called “The Path Never Taken”.
Under the disguise, the Tasman has a boxy, monolithic shape with a snub nose, prominent wheel arches and chunky tyres.
Watch this space for more details as they become available.
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