Kia still mulling hybrid, EV power for Tasman ute
"I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'.
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West Australian
26-05-2025
- West Australian
Qantas bulks up New Zealand flights over peak summer holidays
Qantas will bulk up its trans-Tasman routes by an extra 60,000 seats over the peak summer holiday period. The 20 per cent boost in capacity throughout December and January will see the Sydney-Christchurch and Melbourne-Auckland routes gain seven additional flights each per week, with Sydney-Auckland getting six more. The Sydney-Wellington route will get five extra flights a week; Melbourne-Christchurch and Brisbane-Queenstown another three each; and Melbourne-Queenstown two more. The Flying Kangaroo said the increase would see it operate more than 3.3 million seats across the Tasman between January 2025 and January 2026, supporting tourism growth in both NZ and Australia. Additionally, Qantas the same day announced it would soon introduce its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on flights between Auckland Brisbane, bringing Premium Economy to the route and increasing premium seat choices for customers by up to 80 per cent. The 787 Dreamliner service will initially operate three times a week from August and increase to daily from October. This marked Qantas' second 787 service between Australia and NZ, in addition to flights between Auckland and Sydney as part of the airline's direct service to New York. Qantas international chief executive Cam Wallace said the increased capacity meant Qantas would have the most frequency between Australia and NZ in one of the busiest travel periods of the year. 'This capacity boost represents almost 60,000 more seats compared to last summer, giving our customers additional choice and more convenience as well as supporting tourism and economic growth in both markets,' he said. Tourism New Zealand regional director Australia Andrew Waddel said the extra flights across all four major ports would mean even more options for travellers to kick start their Aotearoa getaway. 'We know Australians are interested in exploring the country's tranquil coastlines, world-class cycling trails and unique food and wine, and the longer days and warmer weather make it a fantastic time of year to experience it all and more,' he said. It comes just weeks after Qantas revealed it would launch direct flights from Perth to Johannesburg and Auckland from early December. The flights would operate three times a week on an Airbus A330, offering 224 economy and 27 business class seats.
The Australian
11-05-2025
- The Australian
Spark data centre portfolio catching Stonepeak's eye
Data centre valuations have reached giddy heights in the past year as funds seek to gain exposure to the assets because of big demand for data storage in artificial intelligence. Stonepeak appears to be continuing its unrelenting march when it comes to investing in the Australian and New Zealand infrastructure space, with the global group believed to be weighing a move to buy Spark's data centre portfolio that may sell for about $800m. The US infrastructure investor that counts former Macquarie banker Darren Keogh in its top ranks is considering a purchase of Australia's largest diagnostic imaging provider, I-Med, and recently fended off competition from Williams and GIP to acquire a 40 per cent interest in Woodside's Louisiana-based LNG Infrastructure. Stonepeak is listed in New York with more than $US50bn of assets under management and it joins groups like Canadian pension fund CDPQ and private equity firms like KKR, EQT and Pacific Equity Partners in considering a purchase of the assets across the Tasman. The data centres are up for sale through Jarden. The process has launched but is in its early stages as Spark seeks to get money through the door to pay down debt. The data centre revenue increased 13.6 per cent in the six months to December to $NZ25m, as billing of Spark's 22MW capacity increased. Data centre valuations have reached giddy heights in the past year as funds seek to gain exposure to the assets because of big demand for data storage in artificial intelligence. Spark's data centre annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation is about $NZ30m. Last year, the sale of a stake in the Morrison-owned Canberra Data Centres valued the asset at about 30 times earnings. That valuation uplift was fuelled by an earlier bullish valuation for the $24bn AirTrunk Australian data centre deal last year, sold to Blackstone and its backers. Spark has about 15 data centres and it is located in a cost-effective way to get into the heart of New Zealand's core telecoms network, allowing both domestic and international services to customers. Spark is New Zealand's largest telco and listed in both Australia and New Zealand. Its share price is down about 50 per cent in the past year.
The Advertiser
09-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Kia still mulling hybrid, EV power for Tasman ute
It may seem odd that the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute will soon be launched only with a diesel engine, and without any form of electrified powertrains. That's especially so given the Korean brand's well-stocked inventory of petrol-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicle technologies, and the number of competitors adding hybrid drivetrains. But the carmaker's first pickup is expected to eventually become available with at least EV power. Speaking with CarExpert at the a local prototype drive for the Tasman, Kia Australia's general manager for product Roland Rivero said the Tasman's new bespoke ladder-frame platform accommodates multiple powertrain types. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "So what's on the cards of being studied and reviewed, there's definitely hybrid and [full] electrification. When, is still very much TBC," Mr Rivero said. "I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'. "Tasman will have a long model life. Traditional [light commercial vehicle lifecycles] are anywhere from eight to 12 years – expect to see the same for Tasman, and to sustain demand and appeal for such a long period of time, you can't sit on your laurels." Mr Rivero added that the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis is a "fairly modular platform" which can "underpin numerous powertrains". For now, however, Australia is only getting a Euro 5 emissions-compliant version (ie: no AdBlue) of the carmaker's 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Mr Rivero ruled out Australian availability of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in the Korean market, citing pressure from the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will see carmakers financially penalised for not meeting average emissions caps from July 1, 2025. The turbo-petrol motor available abroad could, however, be implemented in a future hybrid drivetrain. Last month the Hyundai Motor Group – parent of the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – detailed the next generation of its hybrid technologies, hinting at its future product plans. Debuting in the new Hyundai Palisade large SUV, which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid system, the new set of electrified technologies are claimed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as general driveability. You can read more about it here, but the takeaway relating to the Tasman is a small note in the release stating that a rear-wheel drive-biased version of the 2.5 turbo hybrid is in the works for a 2026 introduction. While this is likely being developed primarily for the Genesis luxury division, it could also be tailored to the Tasman ute, given it already employs the non-hybrid version of that powertrain. As for a battery-electric version, Kia South Africa's head of marketing, Christo Valentyn, told CarBuzz in December last year that a Tasman EV was definitely "coming", though he didn't give an indication on timing. "I'm probably not supposed to say this, but… an electric one is coming," Mr Valentyn reportedly said at a media roundtable. Kia confirmed globally in 2022 that it was working on two utes: "a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets", the latter of which is understood to be a battery-electric Tasman derivative. An electric Tasman would give Kia a rival for the upcoming LDV eTerron 9, while other brands like Ford have indicated globally that they're working on electric utes of their own to compete in this segment. There are also an increasing number of traditional hybrid (GWM Cannon Alpha and Toyota Tundra) and plug-in hybrid (BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T) utes either already on sale here or coming to Australia. Are you hanging out for a Tasman Hybrid or EV? Tell us in the comments section! MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman review – Prototype off-road driveMORE: Everything Kia Tasman Content originally sourced from: It may seem odd that the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute will soon be launched only with a diesel engine, and without any form of electrified powertrains. That's especially so given the Korean brand's well-stocked inventory of petrol-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicle technologies, and the number of competitors adding hybrid drivetrains. But the carmaker's first pickup is expected to eventually become available with at least EV power. Speaking with CarExpert at the a local prototype drive for the Tasman, Kia Australia's general manager for product Roland Rivero said the Tasman's new bespoke ladder-frame platform accommodates multiple powertrain types. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "So what's on the cards of being studied and reviewed, there's definitely hybrid and [full] electrification. When, is still very much TBC," Mr Rivero said. "I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'. "Tasman will have a long model life. Traditional [light commercial vehicle lifecycles] are anywhere from eight to 12 years – expect to see the same for Tasman, and to sustain demand and appeal for such a long period of time, you can't sit on your laurels." Mr Rivero added that the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis is a "fairly modular platform" which can "underpin numerous powertrains". For now, however, Australia is only getting a Euro 5 emissions-compliant version (ie: no AdBlue) of the carmaker's 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Mr Rivero ruled out Australian availability of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in the Korean market, citing pressure from the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will see carmakers financially penalised for not meeting average emissions caps from July 1, 2025. The turbo-petrol motor available abroad could, however, be implemented in a future hybrid drivetrain. Last month the Hyundai Motor Group – parent of the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – detailed the next generation of its hybrid technologies, hinting at its future product plans. Debuting in the new Hyundai Palisade large SUV, which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid system, the new set of electrified technologies are claimed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as general driveability. You can read more about it here, but the takeaway relating to the Tasman is a small note in the release stating that a rear-wheel drive-biased version of the 2.5 turbo hybrid is in the works for a 2026 introduction. While this is likely being developed primarily for the Genesis luxury division, it could also be tailored to the Tasman ute, given it already employs the non-hybrid version of that powertrain. As for a battery-electric version, Kia South Africa's head of marketing, Christo Valentyn, told CarBuzz in December last year that a Tasman EV was definitely "coming", though he didn't give an indication on timing. "I'm probably not supposed to say this, but… an electric one is coming," Mr Valentyn reportedly said at a media roundtable. Kia confirmed globally in 2022 that it was working on two utes: "a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets", the latter of which is understood to be a battery-electric Tasman derivative. An electric Tasman would give Kia a rival for the upcoming LDV eTerron 9, while other brands like Ford have indicated globally that they're working on electric utes of their own to compete in this segment. There are also an increasing number of traditional hybrid (GWM Cannon Alpha and Toyota Tundra) and plug-in hybrid (BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T) utes either already on sale here or coming to Australia. Are you hanging out for a Tasman Hybrid or EV? Tell us in the comments section! MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman review – Prototype off-road driveMORE: Everything Kia Tasman Content originally sourced from: It may seem odd that the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute will soon be launched only with a diesel engine, and without any form of electrified powertrains. That's especially so given the Korean brand's well-stocked inventory of petrol-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicle technologies, and the number of competitors adding hybrid drivetrains. But the carmaker's first pickup is expected to eventually become available with at least EV power. Speaking with CarExpert at the a local prototype drive for the Tasman, Kia Australia's general manager for product Roland Rivero said the Tasman's new bespoke ladder-frame platform accommodates multiple powertrain types. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "So what's on the cards of being studied and reviewed, there's definitely hybrid and [full] electrification. When, is still very much TBC," Mr Rivero said. "I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'. "Tasman will have a long model life. Traditional [light commercial vehicle lifecycles] are anywhere from eight to 12 years – expect to see the same for Tasman, and to sustain demand and appeal for such a long period of time, you can't sit on your laurels." Mr Rivero added that the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis is a "fairly modular platform" which can "underpin numerous powertrains". For now, however, Australia is only getting a Euro 5 emissions-compliant version (ie: no AdBlue) of the carmaker's 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Mr Rivero ruled out Australian availability of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in the Korean market, citing pressure from the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will see carmakers financially penalised for not meeting average emissions caps from July 1, 2025. The turbo-petrol motor available abroad could, however, be implemented in a future hybrid drivetrain. Last month the Hyundai Motor Group – parent of the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – detailed the next generation of its hybrid technologies, hinting at its future product plans. Debuting in the new Hyundai Palisade large SUV, which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid system, the new set of electrified technologies are claimed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as general driveability. You can read more about it here, but the takeaway relating to the Tasman is a small note in the release stating that a rear-wheel drive-biased version of the 2.5 turbo hybrid is in the works for a 2026 introduction. While this is likely being developed primarily for the Genesis luxury division, it could also be tailored to the Tasman ute, given it already employs the non-hybrid version of that powertrain. As for a battery-electric version, Kia South Africa's head of marketing, Christo Valentyn, told CarBuzz in December last year that a Tasman EV was definitely "coming", though he didn't give an indication on timing. "I'm probably not supposed to say this, but… an electric one is coming," Mr Valentyn reportedly said at a media roundtable. Kia confirmed globally in 2022 that it was working on two utes: "a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets", the latter of which is understood to be a battery-electric Tasman derivative. An electric Tasman would give Kia a rival for the upcoming LDV eTerron 9, while other brands like Ford have indicated globally that they're working on electric utes of their own to compete in this segment. There are also an increasing number of traditional hybrid (GWM Cannon Alpha and Toyota Tundra) and plug-in hybrid (BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T) utes either already on sale here or coming to Australia. Are you hanging out for a Tasman Hybrid or EV? Tell us in the comments section! MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman review – Prototype off-road driveMORE: Everything Kia Tasman Content originally sourced from: It may seem odd that the Kia Tasman dual-cab ute will soon be launched only with a diesel engine, and without any form of electrified powertrains. That's especially so given the Korean brand's well-stocked inventory of petrol-electric (HEV) and battery-electric (EV) vehicle technologies, and the number of competitors adding hybrid drivetrains. But the carmaker's first pickup is expected to eventually become available with at least EV power. Speaking with CarExpert at the a local prototype drive for the Tasman, Kia Australia's general manager for product Roland Rivero said the Tasman's new bespoke ladder-frame platform accommodates multiple powertrain types. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "So what's on the cards of being studied and reviewed, there's definitely hybrid and [full] electrification. When, is still very much TBC," Mr Rivero said. "I think the focus right now for all the markets that [Kia Global] has developed the Tasman [for] is 'we've given you the starting point, achieve your respective business plans and what you've promised to achieve with Tasman, and we can look at what needs to be done to sustain that or grow in the years to com'. "Tasman will have a long model life. Traditional [light commercial vehicle lifecycles] are anywhere from eight to 12 years – expect to see the same for Tasman, and to sustain demand and appeal for such a long period of time, you can't sit on your laurels." Mr Rivero added that the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis is a "fairly modular platform" which can "underpin numerous powertrains". For now, however, Australia is only getting a Euro 5 emissions-compliant version (ie: no AdBlue) of the carmaker's 154kW/440Nm 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, matched to both 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains. Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard. Mr Rivero ruled out Australian availability of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine offered in the Korean market, citing pressure from the Australian Government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will see carmakers financially penalised for not meeting average emissions caps from July 1, 2025. The turbo-petrol motor available abroad could, however, be implemented in a future hybrid drivetrain. Last month the Hyundai Motor Group – parent of the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands – detailed the next generation of its hybrid technologies, hinting at its future product plans. Debuting in the new Hyundai Palisade large SUV, which is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol hybrid system, the new set of electrified technologies are claimed to improve performance and efficiency, as well as general driveability. You can read more about it here, but the takeaway relating to the Tasman is a small note in the release stating that a rear-wheel drive-biased version of the 2.5 turbo hybrid is in the works for a 2026 introduction. While this is likely being developed primarily for the Genesis luxury division, it could also be tailored to the Tasman ute, given it already employs the non-hybrid version of that powertrain. As for a battery-electric version, Kia South Africa's head of marketing, Christo Valentyn, told CarBuzz in December last year that a Tasman EV was definitely "coming", though he didn't give an indication on timing. "I'm probably not supposed to say this, but… an electric one is coming," Mr Valentyn reportedly said at a media roundtable. Kia confirmed globally in 2022 that it was working on two utes: "a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets", the latter of which is understood to be a battery-electric Tasman derivative. An electric Tasman would give Kia a rival for the upcoming LDV eTerron 9, while other brands like Ford have indicated globally that they're working on electric utes of their own to compete in this segment. There are also an increasing number of traditional hybrid (GWM Cannon Alpha and Toyota Tundra) and plug-in hybrid (BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha Hi4-T) utes either already on sale here or coming to Australia. Are you hanging out for a Tasman Hybrid or EV? Tell us in the comments section! MORE: 2025 Kia Tasman review – Prototype off-road driveMORE: Everything Kia Tasman Content originally sourced from:
