Kia Motors is investigating the feasibility of introducing a pickup truck in the US market. Kia Motors president Cho Nam-hong fueled the speculation when he was quoted as saying "Isn't it time for Kia Motors to make inroads into the (U.S.) pickup truck market?" Cho's answer was in response to questions surrounding the recently-announced free trade deal between the US and S. Korea. Within 10 years, the deal eradicates the hefty 25% tariff placed on trucks entering the US.
There is no word at this time regarding the size of the truck being studied, but we think it would be wise if a mid-size pickup were to come first. If one uses Toyota as a benchmark (doesn't everybody?), a Tacoma-sized pickup is best suited as an automaker's first stab into the ultra-competitive truck segment. Toyota has also shown that as well as they've done with the Tacoma, the full-size Tundra is still having trouble competing in the large truck market.
[Source: PickupTruck.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Greek Boy @ Apr 8th 2007 10:41AM
Hmmmm, another failure in the making.
I saw a Ridgline on the road about 4 months ago. It compelled me to take a closer look, which I did. I understand now why it is not selling at expected numbers - just like the Tundra and Titan are not selling. IT was ugly incarnate, albeit with a few interesting features.
EnviroBob @ Apr 8th 2007 11:06AM
Kia first showed a full size pick up on the auto show circuit a few years ago but no one seemeed to notice then.
Richie638 @ Apr 8th 2007 11:20AM
Stay Home
Jaymez @ Apr 8th 2007 11:35AM
Hello Avalanche ripoff!
The Penguin @ Apr 8th 2007 11:53AM
If Hyundai/Kia enters the pickup truck market here they will most likely encounter the same problems as Nissan, Toyota, and Honda. Nissan has had some sucess with the Frontier, but when they intoduced the Titan no one wanted to buy it and they have had to scrap plans for an expansion into the heavy duty/diesel segment. I can't even begin to talk about the problems that Toyota has had, but I can sum it up as this, the Tundra has cost them way more than they expected, and there has finally been anti Toyota backlash. The Honda Ridgeline has been a flop for many reasons, it offered many inovative features, but that isn't what Americans want. The lack of V8 power has also hurt sales here where we want the biggest and the best. If Hyundai/Kia does enter the market here it would be wise to start in the small to midsize segment where the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier have had success.
Phil @ Apr 8th 2007 11:56AM
Kia are coming on in leaps and bounds, in ten year's they could be much better than they are today, you must admit that pick up looks very stylish, if it had a Ford, Dodge or GM badge on the grille you'd say it was Hot.
I'm a Honda and Toyota fan, I think the Tundra has done well, and although its a slow start for their new model I think it will be another success story, I don't expect it to ever replace the American brand pick ups but that was never their intention or expectation.
The Ridgeline is not my favorite pick up, It looks ugly and strange, I don't like the snub plain front, the ridges in the doors, the angled top of the bed, or the one piece cab and bed, it should have had a separate bed.
I'm sure Honda are already redesigning the Ridgeline in a more traditional style, I hope so, remember Honda's first effort at the Odyssey Minivan, it was different with traditional car doors instead of sliders, their 2nd and 3rd Odysseys are the best, so don't expect Honda to sit back with the Ridgeline, I think the next Ridgeline will be a nice pick up, It wouldn't hurt to change that name either.
Nissan make great vehicles but I don't care for the Titan, its no Tundra, the Interior seems cheap to me, no appeal.
Reality Bites @ Apr 8th 2007 1:03PM
I can't imagine why the US economy is failing. Lets stop tariffs on all the other countries also. Heck, let's just ship the crap they sell over for free. NO CHARGE. Stupid Government.
Phil @ Apr 8th 2007 1:38PM
Id like to see higher tariffs on all Foreign products especially the stuff that is made in China, I'm tired of seeing Made in China on everything I try to buy, from electronics to furniture, the other day I saw cookies from China, COOKIES!
Look at everything you buy and try to buy Made in America, It isn't so easy, we are screwing ourselves out of out jobs and prosperous Future, China will be wealthy, America will be poor, I guarantee it. The Chinese are already prospering from us, they are not poor anymore.
There is no reason why the Kia pick up couldn't be built in America, just like Toyota, Honda, Nissan and other foreign makers, The American Brand name isn't the issue, Its all about keeping the jobs in America, Americans can build a good product even if it has a foreign brand name, without jobs we are nothing, NOTHING!!!
A lot of this Chinese stuff looks good but its not made to last, in 5-6 years you have to replace it and again buy Chinese, putting money in their pockets, we are Insane.
Maineiac @ Apr 8th 2007 3:04PM
'The Chinese are already prospering from us, they are not poor anymore.'
Oh Really!
China Per Capita Income $1740/year
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/gyzg/t268200.htm
Bruno @ Apr 8th 2007 3:21PM
Don't fret. When the dollar's value collapses foreign products will be too expensive to buy, and we will dust off and start making things here ourselves. China artificially props up the value of the dollar to the yuan so we can buy goods from them, but it won't go on forever. They have to sell it somewhere, they don't pay their workers enough to actually buy anything.
Phil @ Apr 8th 2007 6:02PM
"China Per Capita Income $1740/year"
In some countries $1740/year is a lot of money, its all relative to costs in their area.
Katz @ Apr 8th 2007 6:11PM
Difference is that America is blessed, China is not. If they want to maintain their leadership in the world, it's better the government worry about the values of its own country.
Barney @ Apr 8th 2007 9:11PM
In 10 years, North Americans will be no different then the rest of the world and end the idea that more is better. They may have to just settle for quality and efficiency instead. What is now claimed to be neccessary, will be considered gluttony. Pickup trucks will fall into this catagory. Big, huge, monstrous pickup trucks will fall back to the size they once were and with adequate size engines. Everyone will be looking at todays pickups and relate to them, like the big old boats with fins from the sixties.
EnviroBob @ Apr 8th 2007 11:48PM
So does that mean in 10 years I will be able to buy a Dodge Power Wagon with a 440 or a Chevy C10 with a 454 or maybe even a Ford with a 460 just like I used to? Will they still get 8 MPG like they used to or will they get 22 on the hwy like they do now with enough room for my entire family?
Barney @ Apr 9th 2007 12:18AM
"Wagon with a 440 or a Chevy C10 with a 454 or maybe even a Ford with a 460 just like I used to? "
If you think that is practical, you may want a 1960 Buick as well. If you think a 440 Magnum is adequate, then you are a fossil that will disappear as well. Bigger is better in your view but unfortunately, reading and understanding is not in your vision.
Jack Yan @ Apr 9th 2007 1:40AM
Chris, your theory makes sense. The mid-size truck is not unfamiliar to Asians, though the full-size truck is. It would not take a stretch of Hyundai–Kia’s existing talents to produce a decent mid-sizer. Even Toyota waited a long time after its US entry before attempting the full-size market.
Phil @ Apr 9th 2007 1:52AM
This mindset of big truck's is a joke, one guy in a 8mpg truck is wasteful, the future price of oil will limit people's ability to buy such thing's, of course there is always someone that has more money than common sense.
The rest of the world operates without such wasteful status item's, because we have money and our oil is cheap some people think its our right to use all the oil available, What happens when we cant afford the oil and other countries can, Im sure then we will want them to limit their use of oil.
Get your head out of the sand, we need to conserve.
Katz @ Apr 9th 2007 9:43AM
#16,
Is there any difference?
The Other Bob @ Apr 9th 2007 12:02PM
I have often asked which is more wasteful, the person who drives 15 miles to work in a 15 mpg vehicle, buring one gallon or a person who drive 30 miles to work in a 30 mpg vehicle also buring one gallon?
The person drving the 15 mpg truck will be seen as wasteful, but he/she lives closer to work, which is more responsible.
I drive a small truck and live 3.4 miles from work. I know people with Hybrids who literally live 60+ miles from work. Who's the enviro?
As far as Kia goes, it seems to me they could sell a bunch of small, cheap trucks to the commercial market.
Bryan @ Apr 9th 2007 2:59PM
Phil..The Tundra has never been a success story. And Kia is wasting their time if they think they can make a truck that will do well.