Kia Tasman ute launches in NZ
Stepping into the already crowded ute market, it’s important to bring your best game. Kia look to have done just that with the arrival of its first ute, the Tasman, at a recent event in Wellington.
First came Kia Motors New Zealand’s launch of the Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models in March, and now the company reports strong interest in the all-electric Niro EV recently unveiled in Korea.
“The acceptance of the hybrid and plug-in hybrid Niro models by New Zealand buyers has been exceptional,” says Todd McDonald, general manager of Kia Motors NZ.
“There is a place in the market for a well-designed SUV with astonishingly low fuel consumption”.
The Niro EV is powered by Kia’s next-generation electric vehicle powertrain.
Equipped with a high-capacity 64kWh lithium-polymer battery pack, the Niro EV is reckoned to do at least 380km on a single charge or up to 240km when paired with an optional 39.2kWh battery system.
Described as sporty and versatile, the vehicle is the work of Kia’s design centres in California and Namyang, Korea.
It will be launched in the home market in late 2018 and in NZ in 2019.
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