en.Wedoany.com Reported - South Korean automaker Kia confirmed at its 2026 CEO Investor Day that it plans to launch its first pickup truck, the Tasman, in the United States before 2030. The mid-size truck was already launched in South Korea last year and is slated for expansion into markets including Australia, the Middle East, and Africa, but North America had not previously appeared on the launch market list.

Kia views pickup trucks as a key growth pillar for the market, targeting annual U.S. sales of 1.02 million trucks and a 6.2% market share by 2030. The company also plans to further expand its pickup truck lineup, adding hybrid electric and extended-range electric variants in the future. Some U.S. auto dealers have already listed the 2026 model year on placeholder pages on their websites, though Kia has yet to reveal specific details regarding its U.S. launch.

Kia stated that the Tasman is designed to adapt to diverse lifestyles, positioned as a cargo truck, family vehicle, and off-road companion, with a design prioritizing driving stability, ride comfort, off-road performance, and payload capacity. The vehicle offers a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds and is equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems such as Lane Keeping Assist 2. Kia conducted approximately 18,000 rounds of testing across 1,777 different types of conditions for the Tasman, covering extreme temperatures, steep slopes, underwater handling, high-speed stability, and off-road capability.

The Tasman will be offered in single and double cab configurations with two trim levels, featuring exterior styling with balanced proportions, three-dimensional surface treatments, and rugged lines, while the interior is equipped with a panoramic widescreen display. The model will compete against vehicles such as the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma. Kia's sister company, Hyundai, also previewed a mid-size SUV and pickup platform named Boulder at the 2026 New York International Auto Show, which is likewise scheduled for delivery before 2030.

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