- Kia aims to sell 20,000 Tasman pickups in Australia next year.
- Sales have fallen short, with 2,262 units sold over three months.
- Major rivals include Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Isuzu D-Max.
Even before the Kia Tasman made its debut, questions were swirling about how buyers would react to its bold and divisive design. Now that it’s been on sale for a few months, the results aren’t exactly what Kia had hoped for. Sales have been slower than expected, prompting the brand to introduce meaningful price cuts in Australia, its most crucial market for the new truck.
It’s currently possible to pick up the high-end Tasman X-Line for AU$67,990 ($44,400) drive-away, AU$3,000 down from its original AU$70,990 ($46,300) starting price.
Adding Value Too
Furthermore, all X-Line versions now include the Sports Pack at no extra cost, a bundle that usually tacks on AU$3,971 ($2,600) to the sticker price. The package adds a soft tonneau cover, tubular side steps, metallic paint, and a sports bar, making it a decent deal for anyone already eyeing the accessories list.
Read: Kia Wants To Build Something That Sounds A Lot Like A Land Cruiser Rival
All up, it’s possible to get the Tasman X-Pro with these accessories for AU$6,971 ($4,500) less than when it was launched three months ago. Importantly, these savings will only be available until October 31, if the current stock doesn’t sell out before then.
Slow Sales
As noted by Drive.com.au, sales of the Tasman have been slow, with just 2,262 examples sold in Australia during July, August, and September.
To put that into perspective, over the same period, 14,546 examples of the ancient Toyota Hilux, 13,739 Ford Rangers, and 6,654 Isuzu D-Max were sold. Additionally, 4,797 Mitsubishi Tritons found new homes during the past three months.
Kia has been vocal about wanting to sell 20,000 Tasmans in Australia next year. If it were to achieve that, it’d place it fourth in pickup sales behind the Hilux, Ranger, and D-Max. However, it will need to stage a remarkable turnaround if it is to get anywhere near its target.
Kia has been gradually introducing variants of the Tasman since late June, though the single-cab chassis version has yet to begin deliveries. That model could become one of the lineup’s stronger performers, particularly among fleet buyers who value practicality over polish.
Next week, we’ll have our first opportunity to jump behind the wheel of the Tasman X-Pro, so be sure to stay tuned for our full review soon.
