Kia says buyers are bracing for Tasman controversy

The Kia Tasman has sparked a lot of debate since its recent debut, and much of it has to do with its looks. In a segment where most of its rivals look pretty conventional, Kia adopted a more exotic design theme for its first pickup truck, and received its fair share of criticism for it. However, the company says consumers are embracing the fun styling.

Speaking to members of the Australian media recently, Kia’s local marketing general manager Dean Norbiato said surveys about the Tasman released since its unveiling showed a change in perceptions of it. He said this reflected expressions of interest in the truck having increased from 15 to more than 60 a day.

Read: Will Kia’s Tasman accessories make you forget its weird looks?

“You all know the comments about the launch from an aesthetic perspective, but we’re really starting to see a narrative shift in terms of perspective,” he told Drive. “The more people saw it and spent time with it, we saw a divergence of opinions from when we originally launched it. We also did some customer research. We did a week-long study with Tasman and we were informed on the feedback. “We are confident in our overall sales targets for this model and its specifications.”

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Nobiato added that Tasman was more popular with those who saw it in person, rather than just online, adding, “As a business, we have a responsibility to gain more share in the market and get people Familiar design. Because it’s boxy and big, and the interior is particularly eye-catching.”

While we’re not entirely convinced that the Tasman’s actual exterior looks better (at least until we see it in person), there’s no doubt that the interior is refreshingly modern for such a vehicle. Like other Kia models, it comes with a digital dashboard and infotainment screen along with honeycomb mesh air vents. There are also plenty of chunky parts, including the steering wheel and interior door handles.

The success of the Tasman will ultimately depend on how many cars Kia can sell. In Australia, one of the most important markets for trucks, the brand hopes to capture around 10% of local sales in this segment, equivalent to approximately 20,000 to 25,000 units per year.