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Kia Australia says it’s too early to guage the gross sales efficiency of its first ute, the Kia Tasman, as a result of the complete lineup is but to be launched.
Kia has lengthy publicly acknowledged a goal of 20,000 annual gross sales for the Tasman in Australia, a quantity that might have been ok for fourth place in 2024 behind the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.
Following its July launch, the Tasman’s present month-to-month gross sales common of 625 equates to 7500 gross sales a 12 months, whereas its greatest results of 806 in September would equate to an annual tally of 9672 – nonetheless lower than half the 20,000 aim.
To this point, solely dual-cab variations of the Tasman have been launched, with cheaper single-cab and cab/chassis derivatives but to be rolled out.
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“It’s tough for us to say if we’re glad as a result of in the mean time we’ve not completely, absolutely launched,” Kia Australia’s GM of product planning RolandRivero informed CarExpert.
“Not each seller has taken supply of a dual-cab cab/chassis, and quite a bit are ready on the [cheaper] single-cab cab/chassis, which would be the entry-level level for Tasman,” he defined.
“Tradies like your sparkies, chippies, plumbers and alike are inclined to favour the cab/chassis, offering them with extra customisation and practicality. Moreover, we’ve solely simply launched the physique builder’s information, which is vital for a lot of fleets with particular physique construct wants, that’s a key addition for Tasman.”
BYD launched its first ute, the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV), in a single dual-cab mannequin grade in February, and since then it has proved significantly extra standard than the Tasman, averaging 1763 gross sales a month to this point this 12 months.
Kia can also be nonetheless ready for a five-star ANCAP security score for cab/chassis Tasman fashions, which is remitted by many company and authorities fleet patrons.
At the moment, solely 4×4 dual-cab variations of the Tasman have a five-star ANCAP score, though this doesn’t but apply to the premium X-Line and X-Professional variants – nor 4×2, single-cab, or double-cab/chassis automobiles.
“We’re nonetheless to roll out the price-leader 4×2 single-cab/chassis, the place there’s a a lot greater alternative for fleets,” Mr Rivero stated.
“As soon as we add extra S and SX cab/chassis physique types, and the physique builder’s information, we’ll begin to acquire some traction amongst fleet gross sales and different patrons.”
MORE: Discover the Kia Tasman showroom
