Latest news with #KiaTasman
Motor 1
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Hyundai Is Building a Real Pickup Truck
The Hyundai Santa Cruz pickup debuted in the US in 2021, and it's been a solid alternative to the Ford Maverick ever since. But it's not a real pickup truck—it's a Tucson with a bed. Now, though, Hyundai has confirmed production of a real, genuinely capable pickup. It just probably won't be for America. Hyundai Australia CEO, Don Romano, confirmed to Drive that the company is working on a new mid-size ute—aka, a pickup truck. It will compete against body-on-frame alternatives in the region, like the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, and its cousin, the new Kia Tasman. 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz Photo by: Hyundai "I'm confident a ute will be on the schedule," Romano said in the interview. "But I'm not certain on the time. The time will depend on the type of ute we develop. If we use a body-on-frame platform like the Tasman, that could be soon." The details are still murky, by Romano's own admission, and it's unclear what would even power the pickup. He floats diesel, hybrid, and even fully electric options as possibilities. Given Australia's ever more stringent emissions regulations, sharing a platform with the Tasman seems unlikely. But, Hyundai could look to General Motors for help; the duo recently inked a deal for joint truck and van production. "We would look at what is available from GM,' Romano told Drive. "My goal is to keep looking forward, and we have a strategic alliance with GM, but not just on utes. We want to have a number of options, and GM is part of that." Hyundai hopes to have its new pickup in production in Australia within the next three years. As for the Santa Cruz, don't expect any major changes to the compact pickup for the US. The tiny truck just recently got a facelift. 69 More Truck Stuff Is This Ram's Compact Truck for America? America Is Falling Out of Love With Huge Trucks: Report Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Hyundai to decide on ute future by the end of 2025
Korean automaker Hyundai will finalise its plans for a brand new ute by the end of this year, according to local boss Don Romano. Hyundai is one of the few mainstream automakers to have never offered a ute in Australia – a missed opportunity given the popularity of the body style Down Under. But after years of speculation, it appears the brand will soon nail down plans for a ute that will serve both Australian and overseas markets. "We're not there, we're going to be there this year," Mr Romano – the new CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) – told CarExpert when asked about plans for a pickup. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 2020 concept render "We're going to come up with a solution that everybody can say, 'yeah, this works for me'. The nature of the upcoming model remains unclear, with several options still on the table. A battery-electric (BEV) ute is already in development, and its likelihood of being sold in Australia was bolstered by a trademark filing for the Ioniq T10 nameplate here last year. Alternatively, the new ute could be spun off the recently launched Kia Tasman, given Kia is part of the Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai already sells the petrol-powered Santa Cruz (pictured below) – based on the Tucson SUV – in the US, but it hasn't been earmarked for right-hand drive production thus far. And, given the unfavourable exchange rate and impact of tariffs, that's unlikely to change any time soon. Mr Romano hopes for a mid-size, body-on-frame ute that can serve as a competitive rival to the best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in Australia. However, he remains open to other styles of vehicle if it will speed up the development process. "We're going to have to find that common denominator that's going to fit both Australia and global. So there'll be some compromise – that compromise could be a diesel, could be a hybrid, it could be a plug-in hybrid," said Mr Romano. "Whether we go with an electric ute, it would not be my preference, but I would take it and that is something that is already under development. "What I think we need is something that competes against the number one and number two in the market, and they're dominant players. "That's [mid-size, body-on-frame] what sells here, that's what customers want. I think every major manufacturer has one, and I don't think you can be a viable brand without one. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Tasman body-on-frame – it's a great infrastructure to build from. I have concerns with diesel, although I would take a diesel short-term if I know that the evolution was going in a different direction. "We know what we want to build, we could build it off of that. How long would it take? Probably longer than I have." While a decision is set to be made before the calendar flicks over to 2026, there are still plenty of boxes to tick before a ute with Hyundai badging arrives in local showrooms. Nevertheless, Mr Romano emphasised that the issue is a top priority for the marque. "Almost all my discussions, all the meetings that I'm having are to provide input in this area. They wouldn't be asking for the input at my level unless there was a serious need," concluded Mr Romano. "In terms of the timeline, I've never seen our company so committed to figuring this problem out and coming up with a solution, and that goes right up to the top." MORE: Hyundai ute: Do we finally have a name? Content originally sourced from: Korean automaker Hyundai will finalise its plans for a brand new ute by the end of this year, according to local boss Don Romano. Hyundai is one of the few mainstream automakers to have never offered a ute in Australia – a missed opportunity given the popularity of the body style Down Under. But after years of speculation, it appears the brand will soon nail down plans for a ute that will serve both Australian and overseas markets. "We're not there, we're going to be there this year," Mr Romano – the new CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) – told CarExpert when asked about plans for a pickup. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 2020 concept render "We're going to come up with a solution that everybody can say, 'yeah, this works for me'. The nature of the upcoming model remains unclear, with several options still on the table. A battery-electric (BEV) ute is already in development, and its likelihood of being sold in Australia was bolstered by a trademark filing for the Ioniq T10 nameplate here last year. Alternatively, the new ute could be spun off the recently launched Kia Tasman, given Kia is part of the Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai already sells the petrol-powered Santa Cruz (pictured below) – based on the Tucson SUV – in the US, but it hasn't been earmarked for right-hand drive production thus far. And, given the unfavourable exchange rate and impact of tariffs, that's unlikely to change any time soon. Mr Romano hopes for a mid-size, body-on-frame ute that can serve as a competitive rival to the best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in Australia. However, he remains open to other styles of vehicle if it will speed up the development process. "We're going to have to find that common denominator that's going to fit both Australia and global. So there'll be some compromise – that compromise could be a diesel, could be a hybrid, it could be a plug-in hybrid," said Mr Romano. "Whether we go with an electric ute, it would not be my preference, but I would take it and that is something that is already under development. "What I think we need is something that competes against the number one and number two in the market, and they're dominant players. "That's [mid-size, body-on-frame] what sells here, that's what customers want. I think every major manufacturer has one, and I don't think you can be a viable brand without one. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Tasman body-on-frame – it's a great infrastructure to build from. I have concerns with diesel, although I would take a diesel short-term if I know that the evolution was going in a different direction. "We know what we want to build, we could build it off of that. How long would it take? Probably longer than I have." While a decision is set to be made before the calendar flicks over to 2026, there are still plenty of boxes to tick before a ute with Hyundai badging arrives in local showrooms. Nevertheless, Mr Romano emphasised that the issue is a top priority for the marque. "Almost all my discussions, all the meetings that I'm having are to provide input in this area. They wouldn't be asking for the input at my level unless there was a serious need," concluded Mr Romano. "In terms of the timeline, I've never seen our company so committed to figuring this problem out and coming up with a solution, and that goes right up to the top." MORE: Hyundai ute: Do we finally have a name? Content originally sourced from: Korean automaker Hyundai will finalise its plans for a brand new ute by the end of this year, according to local boss Don Romano. Hyundai is one of the few mainstream automakers to have never offered a ute in Australia – a missed opportunity given the popularity of the body style Down Under. But after years of speculation, it appears the brand will soon nail down plans for a ute that will serve both Australian and overseas markets. "We're not there, we're going to be there this year," Mr Romano – the new CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) – told CarExpert when asked about plans for a pickup. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 2020 concept render "We're going to come up with a solution that everybody can say, 'yeah, this works for me'. The nature of the upcoming model remains unclear, with several options still on the table. A battery-electric (BEV) ute is already in development, and its likelihood of being sold in Australia was bolstered by a trademark filing for the Ioniq T10 nameplate here last year. Alternatively, the new ute could be spun off the recently launched Kia Tasman, given Kia is part of the Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai already sells the petrol-powered Santa Cruz (pictured below) – based on the Tucson SUV – in the US, but it hasn't been earmarked for right-hand drive production thus far. And, given the unfavourable exchange rate and impact of tariffs, that's unlikely to change any time soon. Mr Romano hopes for a mid-size, body-on-frame ute that can serve as a competitive rival to the best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in Australia. However, he remains open to other styles of vehicle if it will speed up the development process. "We're going to have to find that common denominator that's going to fit both Australia and global. So there'll be some compromise – that compromise could be a diesel, could be a hybrid, it could be a plug-in hybrid," said Mr Romano. "Whether we go with an electric ute, it would not be my preference, but I would take it and that is something that is already under development. "What I think we need is something that competes against the number one and number two in the market, and they're dominant players. "That's [mid-size, body-on-frame] what sells here, that's what customers want. I think every major manufacturer has one, and I don't think you can be a viable brand without one. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Tasman body-on-frame – it's a great infrastructure to build from. I have concerns with diesel, although I would take a diesel short-term if I know that the evolution was going in a different direction. "We know what we want to build, we could build it off of that. How long would it take? Probably longer than I have." While a decision is set to be made before the calendar flicks over to 2026, there are still plenty of boxes to tick before a ute with Hyundai badging arrives in local showrooms. Nevertheless, Mr Romano emphasised that the issue is a top priority for the marque. "Almost all my discussions, all the meetings that I'm having are to provide input in this area. They wouldn't be asking for the input at my level unless there was a serious need," concluded Mr Romano. "In terms of the timeline, I've never seen our company so committed to figuring this problem out and coming up with a solution, and that goes right up to the top." MORE: Hyundai ute: Do we finally have a name? Content originally sourced from: Korean automaker Hyundai will finalise its plans for a brand new ute by the end of this year, according to local boss Don Romano. Hyundai is one of the few mainstream automakers to have never offered a ute in Australia – a missed opportunity given the popularity of the body style Down Under. But after years of speculation, it appears the brand will soon nail down plans for a ute that will serve both Australian and overseas markets. "We're not there, we're going to be there this year," Mr Romano – the new CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) – told CarExpert when asked about plans for a pickup. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 2020 concept render "We're going to come up with a solution that everybody can say, 'yeah, this works for me'. The nature of the upcoming model remains unclear, with several options still on the table. A battery-electric (BEV) ute is already in development, and its likelihood of being sold in Australia was bolstered by a trademark filing for the Ioniq T10 nameplate here last year. Alternatively, the new ute could be spun off the recently launched Kia Tasman, given Kia is part of the Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai already sells the petrol-powered Santa Cruz (pictured below) – based on the Tucson SUV – in the US, but it hasn't been earmarked for right-hand drive production thus far. And, given the unfavourable exchange rate and impact of tariffs, that's unlikely to change any time soon. Mr Romano hopes for a mid-size, body-on-frame ute that can serve as a competitive rival to the best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in Australia. However, he remains open to other styles of vehicle if it will speed up the development process. "We're going to have to find that common denominator that's going to fit both Australia and global. So there'll be some compromise – that compromise could be a diesel, could be a hybrid, it could be a plug-in hybrid," said Mr Romano. "Whether we go with an electric ute, it would not be my preference, but I would take it and that is something that is already under development. "What I think we need is something that competes against the number one and number two in the market, and they're dominant players. "That's [mid-size, body-on-frame] what sells here, that's what customers want. I think every major manufacturer has one, and I don't think you can be a viable brand without one. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with the Tasman body-on-frame – it's a great infrastructure to build from. I have concerns with diesel, although I would take a diesel short-term if I know that the evolution was going in a different direction. "We know what we want to build, we could build it off of that. How long would it take? Probably longer than I have." While a decision is set to be made before the calendar flicks over to 2026, there are still plenty of boxes to tick before a ute with Hyundai badging arrives in local showrooms. Nevertheless, Mr Romano emphasised that the issue is a top priority for the marque. "Almost all my discussions, all the meetings that I'm having are to provide input in this area. They wouldn't be asking for the input at my level unless there was a serious need," concluded Mr Romano. "In terms of the timeline, I've never seen our company so committed to figuring this problem out and coming up with a solution, and that goes right up to the top." MORE: Hyundai ute: Do we finally have a name? Content originally sourced from:
CNET
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- CNET
Kia EV Truck: Here's Everything We Know So Far About the New Electric Pickup
If you're considering an electric vehicle, but still need room to haul things, there's a new Kia electric vehicle coming to North America that you may want to consider. The plucky Kia Tasman truck last year had a polarizing design, but it was still considered a success. Now, Kia is celebrating by releasing a second pickup truck. Details are fairly slim right now, but some conclusions can be drawn from the company. "Kia plans to introduce an EV pickup truck based on a new EV platform designed for both urban and outdoor use," the company said in April. "The vehicle will feature best-in-class interior and cargo space, a robust towing system, off-road capabilities and advanced infotainment and safety features." The inclusion of off-road capabilities would set the EV apart from the Hyundai Santa Fe, which is the only pickup truck that Kia or its sister company sells in the US. It'll be on a new EV platform, so it will also be set apart from the company's current EV offerings, like the Kia EV6. The infotainment will likely be similar to current Kia EVs and vehicles like the dual-display technology in the more recent Sportage SUV. Kia last week also showcased its more affordable EV sedan, with CNET on hand to see the latest 2026 Kia EV4. Will the Kia electric pickup truck succeed in the US? Per the statement, Kia is expecting to sell roughly 90,000 of these new EV pickups per year, a lofty goal in a market where the Ford F-150 Lightning is barely hitting 30,000 units sold. By most accounts, it's an ambitious sales goal to hit for a vehicle that'll represent Kia's first attempt at appeasing the US truck buyer market. However, there is still room for optimism. "The models built on the eGMP line sold over 100,000 units in 2024," said Liz Najman, director of market insights at Recurrent, a company that offers independent insights on EV performance. "Moreover, like the EV6, Kia pickups will likely be made in the US, helping avoid costly tariffs that will drive up prices for consumers. It is likely that price will be a major factor for consumers in the coming years." Najman also said trucks were the two top-selling vehicles in 2024, so it's possible Kia can reach these sales goals, provided that the automaker can hit that sweet spot of competitive pricing and capability. "Electric vehicles are seeing strong sales numbers when they deliver on what customers want," she said, highlighting that with electric car sales, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Jeep Wrangler PHEV each sold over 50,000 units in 2024 and the Tesla Model 3 and the Model Y sold over 150,000 and 370,000 units, respectively.
Daily Maverick
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
SA military manufacturer pivots to Kia partnership to cover loss of iconic Toyota V8
Milkor has relied on Toyota's robust Land Cruiser 79 series chassis for its Frontier border patrol vehicles, but Toyota's decision to discontinue the V8 powertrain has forced SA's premier private military contractor to seek alternatives. Kia has offered the South African private military manufacturer Milkor its Tasman platform on which to build its border patrol vehicles when the Toyota Land Cruiser-based Frontier 4×4 project runs out of engines. Milkor has relied on Toyota's robust Land Cruiser 79 series chassis since its inception, but Toyota's decision to discontinue the V8 powertrain has forced SA's premier private military contractor to seek alternatives. 'The 79 series obviously is moving away from the 4.5 V8, moving to a 2.8 diesel,' explained Daniel du Plessis, Milkor's marketing and communications director. While the smaller 2.8-litre diesel engine might suffice for standard 4×4 configurations, it creates significant challenges for more advanced applications. 'In the 6×6 configuration, it makes it extremely difficult because you have an automatic gearbox now, which is very difficult to have a through shaft for the external for the third axle,' said Du Plessis. Toyota's V8 sunset timeline Toyota's plans to discontinue the venerable 4.5-litre turbodiesel V8 engine, which has powered the Land Cruiser 70 Series for 18 years, began with the 76 Series wagon in August 2024, and will be followed by the single- and double-cab 79 Series (the Frontier base) models in August 2025. In its place will be a 2.8-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel, already used in the Hilux and Land Cruiser Prado. This is to bring these mighty steeds in line with stricter emissions standards and changing market demands. Despite the imminent change, Du Plessis said the current Land Cruiser-based operations were secure in the short term. 'Our engagement with Toyota directly was that we don't need to worry about it for now,' he said. 'At least for the next two years, we will most likely continue using this. But the obvious alternative is the Kia in the near future.' Kia Tasman to the rescue The Kia Tasman, a rugged new pickup with a face only a devout bakkie fanatic would love, was unveiled in military trim earlier this year at Idex 2025 in Abu Dhabi and has emerged as Milkor's chosen replacement platform. The partnership was initiated by Kia's military division, based in South Korea. 'They approached us essentially to co-develop the system, and we proposed this platform. So, we'll do the first prototype development of that quite soon,' said Du Plessis. The Tasman appears well-suited to Milkor's needs, requiring minimal modifications to serve as the basis for the Frontier. 'The Tasman essentially will be the undercarriage. There are no real upgrades needed to it. It's actually a very rugged vehicle,' said Du Plessis. 'Might be some suspension issues and components which we'll need to change, but essentially getting a stock-standard Kia Tasman chassis with a few modifications, and then we just pop the same body on to it. 'The engine is actually quite powerful. It's also produced by Kia themselves, so also a diesel engine.' The powertrain in question is most likely from the long-serving Hyundai R family of 2.2-litre common rail diesel, which has been the beating heart of flagship Kias since its Korean sibling rescued it from bankruptcy in 1998. Worthy successor? The Tasman, Kia's first serious entry into the bakkie market, appears to possess the capabilities necessary for specialised applications. The military variant features a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine in a 150kW and 441Nm of torque state of tune, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It can carry a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes and tow trailers weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. With 252mm of ground clearance, an electronic locking differential, and the ability to ford water up to 800mm deep thanks to its snorkel, the Tasman offers impressive off-road credentials that align well with Milkor's requirements. What makes the Tasman particularly appealing as a long-term platform is its modular ladder-frame chassis, which Kia has designed to accommodate multiple powertrain options, and its eight to 12-year predicted lifespan. According to Roland Rivero, general manager of product planning at Kia Australia, the company is actively 'studying and reviewing' both hybrid and fully electric variants of the Tasman. As Toyota closes the chapter on its iconic V8 diesel engine, Milkor's partnership with Kia represents an adaptive strategy to ensure the continued evolution of its specialised vehicle offerings, maintaining its capability to serve defence and security needs across Africa and beyond. What's the deal with the Frontier? The Milkor Frontier is designed specifically for border surveillance operations, targeting law enforcement agencies, gendarmerie, and border management authorities. The vehicle features ballistic protection — capable of stopping an AK-47 armour-piercing round — while maintaining the agility required for difficult terrain. With a range of up to 800km thanks to extended fuel tanks, the Frontier can be customised with various accessories, including weapon systems and command and control suites. Milkor has morphed into a full-service military and defence contractor with its flagship 380 drone now reaching full production. DM
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Kia Tasman ute pre-production review
There's an ugly truth that will challenge Kia's strange-looking Tasman. Cars are fashion statements. Tough looks and the rugged promise of adventure are vital elements of a successful four-wheel-drive pickup. Kia is a new-to-the-class manufacturer with no proven history off-road. And the Tasman's styling has not been received warmly. Fittingly, given the bumpy road ahead, the new Kia Tasman ute has incredibly well-sorted suspension. I've driven just about every ute on sale today. Having been bounced around by models that work reasonably well on smooth roads but ride like an empty box trailer on broken surfaces, it's clear that there's a little bit of magic under the surface of the Tasman. It remains composed over rocky territory, finds traction where rivals might slip or suffer, and does a remarkable job isolating you from the world outside. Kia has invested a lot of time and money testing the Tasman and its rivals back-to-back to understand what makes them tick. The idea is to make the Tasman so great to drive that potential customers can't say no. We've only driven a pre-production model for about half an hour on a private four-wheel-drive course, so it's too early to say whether the Tasman represents a new benchmark across the board. But I can say that there are truly impressive elements that set it apart in a crowded market. Which is just as well, because there's not a lot of superficial appeal to the Tasman. Look at it. This is a weird-looking truck. The funny little headlights pushed to the extreme edges of the front end are unconventional at best, the rounded, moustache-like free-floating grille is an odd choice, and plastic cladding over the wheel arches do it no favours when finished in contrasting black plastic. People called it 'hideous', 'atrocious' and 'the worst ute I've seen'. It's a little better in the metal – but it doesn't look like a car that will sell on style alone. There's an argument that utes are not meant to be fashionable. That these are rugged workhorses designed for farms, construction sites, four-wheel-drive adventures and brave missions into the unknown. Except we all know people with tough-looking utes who never really take them off-road. Macho pick-ups are in fashion. Just look at the school pick-up line or shopping centre carpark. And look again for dents, scrapes and dried mud paying testament to a life of adventure. More than a few of these things never venture beyond tar. Which is one of the reasons Kia hasn't over-invested in an enormous motor to win bragging rights. It has the same engine as the Kia Sorento or Carnival, a proven 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that makes an adequate 155kW and 441Nm. That's enough to reach 100km/h in 10.5 seconds. This preview drive wasn't perfect A steep climb exposed an issue in pre-production cars that would slow to a near-stop before shifting down from third to second gear in low-range four-wheel-drive mode. We could get around that by using paddle shifters to manually select second - but you shouldn't have to. Kia should be able to sort that with a software update. It can tow 3.5 tonnes Other numbers include up to 350kg of down ball weight when towing, 800mm of claimed water wading depth, 252mm of ground clearance and a minimum 1014kg of total payload. An eight-speed automatic transmission with multi-terrain drive modes benefits from clever electronics including sophisticated traction control and a drive system that matches Ford's Ranger with full-time all-wheel-drive, switchable low-range four-wheel-drive and an electronically locking rear differential in the range-topping Kia Tasman X-Pro priced from $74,990 plus on-road costs. That's the car we sampled during a brief preview drive. Though the motor can feel strained at times, especially compared to more powerful rivals, the Tasman's suspension and electronics have a level of polish rarely found in this class of vehicle. And the interior is a triumph. Comfortable seats and easily accessed features – there are plenty of buttons, so you don't have to use a touchscreen for everything – work in its favour. Twin 12.3-inch digital displays feel more Audi than Aldi, and there are clever touches everywhere you look. Like Household PowerPoints in the tray and back seat, or a cool little graphic of the car and its key dimensions moulded into the centre console, or a rear bench that can slide, tilt, and even tumble away to reveal additional storage space. It's a clever car – and the appeal lies far beneath the surface. Kia Australia chief executive Damien Meredith reckons the Tasman has the potential to take a big bite out of the ute market. The goal is to sell 20,000 next year. The targets are people who might have been ready to buy a Ranger, HiLux, Amarok, Navara, Triton, D-Max or BT-50. 'We believe that what we have done from a brand point of view, and a dealer point of view, it's going to be on the shopping list,' he said. 'The product, the brand and the pricing strategy will deliver what we require.' KIA TASMAN X-PRO WARRANTY: 7-yr, u'ltd km THIRST: TBC SAFETY: TBC TOWING: 3500kg
