Kia's diesel ute plan leaked: Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger fighter to be body-on-frame with "multiple powertrain options" - Reports

More details are beginning to emerge around Kia’s huge pick-up announcement, with international reports now pointing to a proper HiLux-sized ute that will have both internal combustion and electric applications.

In the official announcement, Kia made reference to to new electric utes, including a "dedicated" EV truck, and a new mid-size ute model destined for “emerging markets”. It was thought both models would be exclusively electric.

But reports are now appearing that the smaller, mid-size ute will be built on an internal-combustion architecture that will then be electrified, meaning the diesel-powered Kia ute could be closer than we thought.

America’s Automotive News is quoting a “source familiar with the plans”, who has told them that, while the planned full-size pick-up will likely be a dedicated EV built on the brand’s e-GMP platform, the brand is exploring a body-on-frame architecture with multiple powertrain options for the mid-size ute destined for emerging markets.

The move would allow Kia to capitalise on diesel and petrol powertrains, before swapping to electrification when the timing is right in emerging markets, like South African, Asia and diesel-hungry Australia.

The reports match Kia Australia’s own view that diesel utes are far from done in markets like our own.

"Look at Asia, the Middle East market, the African markets, Latin America, even Russia," Kia Australia's Chief Operating Officer, Damien Meredith, told us at the launch of the EV6 electric vehicle.

"The dominance of EVs is specifically western Europe. That's where the focus is, and the legislation is. And they’re not a pick-up market.”

Kia has also said, though not talking specifically about utes, that it expects EV take-up to reach 50 per cent of sales by 2030, but that even then petrol and diesel will play a big role.

"Australia is a big country, and there will still be a requirement for diesel, and there will still be a requirement for petrol," Mr Meredith said.

"As manufacturers start ramping up with EVs and hybrids, it make sense that the production of ICE is going to come down."

If the US reports are accurate, then Kia’s mid-size HiLux fighter will be a true dual-cab ute offering, with an eventual choice between ICE and electrification.

For now, though, watch this space.