Kia Tasman Pickup Truck Achieves Strong Sales in First Month
Kia’s new Tasman pickup truck has quickly gained traction, exceeding 4,000 units sold within the first month of its launch in South Korea. This successful start suggests a possible resurgence in domestic interest in the pickup truck market.
The Kia Tasman, first introduced at the 2024 Jeddah International Motor Show, features an all-wheel-drive system and a 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, producing 281 horsepower. It is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The company announced the impressive sales figures on Sunday, stating that the Tasman was launched on February 13 in South Korea. The pickup’s initial performance represents close to 30 percent of total pickup truck sales in the country for 2024.
According to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA), five major automakers, including Hyundai Motor Co., Kia, GM Korea Co., Renault Korea Motors Co., and KG Mobility Corp. (KGM), collectively sold 13,475 pickup trucks in 2024. This segment has experienced a decline since 2019, which saw 42,619 units sold, dropping to 17,455 in 2023, largely due to a limited model selection.
Prior to the Tasman’s entry, only four pickup truck models were available in the market — two from KGM and two from GM Korea. Market analysts believe the Kia Tasman’s introduction could revitalize domestic consumer interest in pickup trucks, driven by its features and competitive advantage.
Kia’s overall global sales in February increased by 4.5 percent year-on-year, reaching 253,850 units. Domestic sales reached 46,003 units, while overseas sales totaled 207,462 units. The Sportage SUV maintained its lead in sales, with 46,287 units sold, followed by the Sorento (24,173 units) and the Seltos (24,040 units).
A representative from Kia stated that the company aims to sustain its growth with forthcoming releases, including the EV4 electric vehicle, and through continued expansion of the Tasman pickup truck.
