Kia has confirmed critical details of the brand's upcoming ute, and seemingly inadvertently spilled on Hyundai's plans for a BYD Shark 6-fighting dual-cab.
The information was released at Kia's CEO Investor Day, which largely focused on the brand's heavy push into EVs (a total 14 models by 2030), along with autonomous technology and robotics, all of which will be fuelled by an investment in the billions.
Kia also touched on its upcoming ute that, unlike the current Tasman, will be sold in the USA. We also discovered Australia is bundled in as a "global emerging market" when it comes to Tasman.
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"Kia will also further strengthen its pickup truck lineup by 2030, following its entry into global emerging markets with the launch of the Tasman pickup last year," the brand said.
"Looking ahead, the company plans to further expand its pickup lineup by adding a Body-on-Frame pickup truck with HEV and EREV variants by 2030, targeting core markets in North America."
Hyundai has previously said that its EREV technology would deliver both range and capability in the ute space, with the brand targeting 1000kms without sacrificing towing or payload.
"The beauty of EREVs lies in combining EV driving characteristics - instant high torque and serene cabin space - with a longer range. It's kind of a modern hybrid: You can use it as an EV on a daily basis, but if you have to take a long trip, and you don't want to carefully plan your route around EV charging stations, it provides seamless driving with the ICE generating electricity for you. This freedom is generating a lot of excitement around the world," says Manfred Harrer, Head of the Vehicle Development Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Group.
"But there's more to EREVs than range. There's also the ample power for towing capacity - the energy to tow something like a horse trailer - which remains an unsolved issue with EVs.
The announcement seemingly confirms reports that stablemate Hyundai's first ute will also debut the group's EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) technology, with the brand in Australia confirming diesel would have no place in its ute lineup, and that its powertrain would be its point of difference.
"Australia doesn't need another diesel ute," Hyundai's new local chief, Don Romano, has previously told us. "I think we have to look at options. And I can't tell you whether that's a PHEV, a HEV or a BEV, but I think those are options that have to be considered. And I think those are the areas that will give us an opportunity for expansion."
Like Kia, Hyundai will also sell its ute in the USA, as well as in Australia, making it a different proposition to something like the Tasman, which has been ruled out for the USA.
It increasingly appears that this new Kia ute proposition will use a version of the Tasman's ladder-frame chassis, but it's not clear whether it will eventually replace the brand's first ute, or exist alongside it.