Daijiworld Media Network - Seoul

Seoul, Mar 9: Kia has sold over 4,000 units of its first-ever pickup truck, the Kia Tasman, in less than a month since its launch, raising hopes for a revival of South Korea's declining pickup truck market.

According to company officials, the Tasman, which debuted on February 13, achieved this milestone within just 17 days, accounting for nearly 30% of all pickup trucks sold in South Korea in 2024, reports Yonhap news agency.

The overall pickup truck market has been shrinking, with sales dropping from 42,619 units in 2019 to just 17,455 in 2023. Market experts believe the Tasman’s arrival could reinvigorate demand.

Before the Tasman's release, only four pickup models were available in South Korea—two from KG Mobility and two from GM Korea.

The Tasman, which made its global debut at the 2024 Jeddah International Motor Show in Saudi Arabia, features an all-wheel-drive system, a 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine delivering 281 horsepower, and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Meanwhile, Kia’s total sales for February rose 4.5% year-on-year, reaching 253,850 units, driven by strong demand domestically and overseas. The Sportage SUV was the brand’s bestseller, followed by the Sorento and Seltos.

Kia officials stated that they plan to sustain growth momentum with upcoming model launches, including the EV4 electric vehicle and further expansion of the Tasman pickup.