Kia’s long-awaited one-tonne bakkie is expected to be revealed in 2024 and go into production in South Korea in the first half of 2025.
- The Australian division of Kia is heavily involved in the project, and it is rumored that the vehicle will be called Tasman.
- It is uncertain if the bakkie will be offered in South Africa, but Kia SA is unlikely to pass up the opportunity to enter that market.
- There may also be a Hyundai version of the bakkie, and Hyundai SA has expressed interest in introducing such a vehicle when it becomes available internationally.
- Early prototypes of the new Kia one-tonner have been spotted using body parts from the Kia Mohave, but the production model is expected to have a different design.
- The powertrain options for the Kia bakkie are not yet confirmed, but the 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine currently used in the Sorento is a likely candidate, considering the popularity of diesel bakkies in Australia.
- A fully electric variant of the Kia bakkie is also expected, as Kia has announced its plans to increase sales of fully electric vehicles in the coming years.
- Kia is aiming to sell over 800,000 fully electric vehicles per year by 2026 and 1.2 million by 2030.
- The bakkie is being developed as part of Kia’s strategy to tap into the growing global EV market and cater to emerging markets.
- More details about the Kia bakkie, including its design, features, and powertrain options, will likely be revealed closer to its official launch.