Pickups don't necessarily need to be pretty, but it's certainly beneficial if they aren't too unconventional. Kia acknowledges that its long-awaited debut in the truck segment is somewhat unconventional in design. However, the brand promises a solution for those who find the standard Tasman's appearance too quirky. Specifically, those peculiar wheel arches will look more conventional with an official body part that has already been designed.

Speaking with Carsales magazine, Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith expressed his excitement about the Ford Ranger rival getting a less eccentric profile: "It's excellent news. I can assure you that the accessory [fender flare] will be available at launch." The so-called "Tom Selleck mustache" will be optionally replaced with extended fender flares that surround the entire wheel arch. This should make the Tasman appear less polarizing and more rugged after the additional cladding is installed. Alternatively, customers can order the workhorse with standard fenders color-coordinated with the rest of the body. The body-colored piece is expected to blend in better than the unpainted panel.

Kia teased the production-ready Tasman last week in shadowy images without the colorful camouflage. The world premiere is just around the corner, as the pickup is set to debut on October 29 at the 2024 Jeddah International Motor Show. Initially, we'll likely only see the double cab, but a single cab and a barebones chassis cab are reportedly in the works.

The Tasman may not make its way to the US due to the 25% Chicken Tax, which would inflate its price. Kia's inaugural truck will be manufactured in South Korea and primarily target Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. A better chance of seeing an electric pickup in North America would require production at the Georgia factory to avoid the Chicken Tax.

Although we often refer to the Tasman as Kia's first truck, that's technically incorrect. The Bongo, a cabover truck, has been sold in South Korea since 1980. The fourth-gen model, updated recently, will continue for a few more years. The Tasman will be Kia's first pickup with a broader global presence.

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