Kia confirms it will build 'class-leading' pickup truck for U.S. market

SEOUL, South Korea (WKRC) - Kia confirmed it will build a pickup truck for the American market.

According to Jalopnik, Kia confirmed it will build an all-electric pickup truck for the North American market during CEO Investor Day in Seoul this week.

The outlet reported that the new pickup will not be the Kia Tasman, which was designed for the Asian, Australian and Middle Eastern markets.

The South Korean automaker unveiled details regarding the Tasman, the brand's first ever pickup truck, last year in October, inviting consumers to 'give into a new dimension' with "purposeful design and cutting-edge technology" that would "redefine standards in the sector."

The global launch for the vehicle was confirmed for 2025.

During talks on investor day, executives discussed how Kia planed to expand its business over the next five years, with a key driving factors being "meeting diverse market needs" and tapping into new segments with EVs.

"In North America, Kia plans to introduce an EV pickup truck based on a new EV platform designed for both urban and outdoor use. With this innovative model, Kia targets mid-to-long-term annual sales of 90,000 units and a seven percent market share. The vehicle will feature best-in-class interior and cargo space, a robust towing system, off-road capabilities, and advanced infotainment and safety features," a press release reads.

According to Jalopnik, Kia's CEO confirmed at the Seoul Mobility Show last week that the new truck would compete against midsize pickups like the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Tacoma.

The outlet noted that Nissan announced earlier this week that the Japanese automaker was working on a new EV platform for a lightweight truck.

Ford also is working on bringing its own all-electric midsize truck to the American market, which will offer an alternative to the F-150 Lightning.