Australia’s Role in Developing the 2025 Kia Tasman Ute

Mass vehicle production may be a thing of the past in Australia, but the nation's expertise and unique landscape continue to play a critical role in global automotive development. The newly unveiled 2025 Kia Tasman is a testament to Australia’s ongoing influence, with Kia entrusting its Australian team to help shape the new ute from concept to road-ready reality.

Kia Australia served as a "mini technical centre" for the Tasman's development, an unprecedented role for the local arm of the brand. According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s General Manager of Product Planning, "No other product in the Kia range has ever had this level of involvement from Kia Australia during the product development process." This influence spanned all aspects of design and testing, including off-road durability, towing capacity, vehicle dynamics, and even seating comfort. It’s no surprise then that the Tasman ute, which takes its name and even a kangaroo-inspired door mirror design from Australia, reflects a deep connection to the country.

The development of the Tasman demonstrates Kia’s desire to tailor the vehicle to the rugged Australian environment. The involvement of Graeme Gambold, Kia Australia’s Chief Engineer for ride and handling, highlights this dedication. Known for his fine-tuning of Kia’s suspension systems for Australian roads, Gambold has applied the same high standards to the Tasman, ensuring it performs comfortably on urban streets and confidently on challenging country roads.

From initial design to final tuning, Australia’s voice was present in every part of the Tasman’s creation. Mr. Rivero described a "robust yet respectful negotiation" process between Kia’s Australian and global teams, resulting in a ute with ride quality and handling comparable to Australia’s most popular models, such as the Ford Ranger. "Our initial tuning work is looking very promising, and up against dynamic benchmarks... the Tasman is competitive, offering excellent ride comfort, capable and confident cornering capability," Rivero stated.

As Australia’s automotive landscape continues to evolve, the 2025 Kia Tasman is a milestone, proudly showcasing Australia’s role in creating vehicles that stand strong on a global stage. With the Tasman, Kia has crafted a ute that blends rugged durability, Australian style, and the brand's dynamic spirit – a combination that promises to resonate with drivers both here and worldwide.