Kia has indicated its new ute for Australia and possibly New Zealand will be called “Tasman”.
An advertisement featuring the ute with Australian sporting legends picking a name in a pub called The Tasman aired at the NRL rugby league 2024 season launch in Las Vegas, says WhichCar?, with carsales also mentioning the ute in January.
Expressions of interest are open on Kia’s Australian website.
The website also includes Kia’s ute teaser.
The Kia ute is expected to be launched later this year before arriving in Australia and probably New Zealand as well in 2025.
First Kia ute arrivals are forecast to be a four-cylinder turbo diesel with electrified variants due later.
Kia reportedly aims to sell about 20,000 units annually in Australia.
The Kia ute has been seen in a South Korea car park by Woopa TV while Korean New Auto Post has also published photos.
“Kia Australia has always been very candid about our desire to bring a light commercial vehicle (LCV) to the local market, so it is with great excitement that we are taking an important step towards it becoming a reality,” says Kia Australia chief executive Damien Meredith.
Kia New Zealand says it doesn’t have anything to advise at the moment, “but watch this space” – indicating the ute may go there too.
