Kia rules out early Tasman facelift

Kia has confirmed it will not fast-track a facelift for the polarising Tasman ute, despite a softer-than-expected launch and the brand’s recent backflip on its original 20,000-unit sales ambition.

Australian product planning general manager Roland Riviero explained a fast-tracked update simply wasn’t possible, noting “how the product life cycle planning works and development tooling … it’s not something that you can just wave a magic wand and turn around very, very quickly”.

He also confirmed the Tasman will “be in line with the usual product life cycle stages around three years”.

And while online forums have been vocal about the ute’s styling – with one Reddit user saying it’s “a face only a mother could love” – Kia remains firm in defending its bold design approach.

When asked whether a redesign could be brought forward, Rivero was unequivocal, saying the ute will largely remain as is: “The Tasman that you see today … is the look of the Tasman.”

This position follows Kia’s recent shift away from its early 20,000-unit annual sales goal once linked to the model’s global business case.

Kia Australia COO Dennis Piccoli said the brand is focused on sustainable, steady growth rather than chasing large numbers.

“We’re not racing towards this 20,000 … we’ve always been about consistency and growing … that is the plan.”

He also made clear Kia has no intention of relying on Tasman to carry the brand, adding “we’re not relying on any particular car … other players become a model-line company.”

Meanwhile, the brand is reducing overlap across its wider range with the upcoming deletion of the Niro nameplate.

Kia’s stance now contrasts noticeably with the confident tone used when the Tasman first launched.

Rather than chasing rapid market dominance, the brand says its focus is on choosing the right volumes for its business and letting the ute find its natural place in the segment.

“You finish where you deserve,” marketing boss Dean Norbiato said.

With Tasman locked into the standard three-year product enhancement cycle, its design won’t change anytime soon.

Momentum is instead expected to build as additional variants – including cab-chassis and fleet-oriented models – arrive next year, opening the door to government, business and trade buyers.

In that context, Tasman should become a steady, long-term contributor to Kia’s line-up rather than the headline act it was once framed to be.

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