Kia’s New Tasman Faces Issues After Only Three Months | Carscoops

      Sales are declining and discounts are increasing as Kia's new truck struggles to attract buyers in Australia's competitive pickup market.

      Kia has set a target to sell 20,000 Tasman pickups in Australia next year. However, sales have fallen short, with only 2,262 units sold over the past three months. Key competitors include the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max.

      Prior to its launch, there were concerns about how buyers would respond to the Kia Tasman's bold and controversial design. Now, a few months post-launch, the sales figures are not meeting Kia's expectations. The slower-than-anticipated sales have led the company to implement significant price reductions in Australia, which is a vital market for this new truck.

      Currently, buyers can purchase the high-end Tasman X-Line for AU$67,990 ($44,400) drive-away, which is AU$3,000 less than its original starting price of AU$70,990 ($46,300).

      Additional Value Offered

      Moreover, all X-Line models now come with the Sports Pack included at no additional cost, a package that typically adds AU$3,971 ($2,600) to the price. The package features a soft tonneau cover, tubular side steps, metallic paint, and a sports bar, representing good value for those interested in these extras.

      Overall, it is possible to acquire the Tasman X-Pro with these added features for AU$6,971 ($4,500) less than its launch price three months ago. It's important to note that these savings will only be available until October 31, assuming the current inventory does not sell out beforehand.

      Lackluster Sales Performance

      As highlighted by Drive.com.au, Tasman sales have been sluggish, with merely 2,262 units sold in Australia during July, August, and September.

      For comparison, during the same timeframe, 14,546 units of the well-established Toyota Hilux, 13,739 Ford Rangers, and 6,654 Isuzu D-Max were sold. Furthermore, 4,797 Mitsubishi Tritons were also sold in the past three months.

      Kia has expressed a strong desire to sell 20,000 Tasmans in Australia next year. Achieving this goal would place it fourth in pickup sales, trailing the Hilux, Ranger, and D-Max. However, they will need a significant turnaround to come close to this target.

      Since late June, Kia has been steadily rolling out different variants of the Tasman, although the single-cab chassis version has yet to begin deliveries. This model could potentially become one of the lineup's better performers, particularly among fleet buyers who prioritize practicality over aesthetics.

      Next week, we will have the chance to test drive the Tasman X-Pro for the first time, so stay tuned for our upcoming full review.