Tough Kia Tasman ARB Accessories – Can New Mods Save Sales?

For a truck that launched with massive global hype, the Kia Tasman is facing a harsh reality check. While it promised to disrupt the dominance of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux, sales figures in key markets like Australia are lagging significantly behind targets. Now, in a bid to win over skeptical buyers, the brand is getting a serious assist from the aftermarket heavyweights. A new suite of Kia Tasman ARB accessories has just been unveiled, transforming the polarizing pickup into a trail-ready beast. But will a tougher look be enough to turn the tide?

Sales Slump: Why the Tasman Needs Help

The numbers don’t lie, and right now, they are painting a mixed picture for Kia’s first ute. In Australia, a critical battleground for midsize trucks, the reception has been lukewarm.

Since its introduction, the Tasman has averaged only about 625 sales per month. This is a far cry from Kia’s initial ambitious target of 20,000 units annually (later revised to 10,000), putting them on track to fall well short of their goals. Buyers seem hesitant, sticking to the tried-and-true Japanese and American rivals that have dominated the segment for decades.

A Tale of Two Markets

Interestingly, it’s a different story on home turf. In South Korea, the Tasman is a certified hit, racking up over 4,000 orders in just the first 20 days of launch. However, the Korean market for pickups is relatively small. To ensure the long-term survival of the platform, the Tasman needs to succeed globally, not just domestically.

Enter ARB: Toughening Up the Korean Pickup

If the Tasman’s controversial styling was a hurdle for buyers, these new Kia Tasman ARB accessories might be the solution. Australian outfitter ARB has developed a full suite of protective and functional gear that gives the truck the rugged jawline it was missing.

This isn’t just a cosmetic package; it’s legitimate overlanding hardware designed to handle the harshest conditions.

Kia Tasman fitted with ARB accessories — Source: ARB

The Summit MkII Bull Bar and Protection

The centerpiece of the collection is the Summit MkII steel bull bar. It replaces the plastic front bumper with heavy-duty steel protection that integrates perfectly with the Tasman’s safety sensors and cameras. It is joined by:

Summit Side Steps and Rails: Protecting the rocker panels from rock strikes.
Underbody Skid Plates: Shielding vital drivetrain components.
Recovery Points: Essential for serious off-roading.

Suspension and Tray Upgrades

The transformation goes deeper than steel bars. The partnership includes suspension upgrades from Old Man Emu, likely featuring their MT64 shock absorbers to fix the truck’s ride and handling for heavy loads.

For the ultimate work-and-play setup, the demo vehicle features a custom MITS alloy flatbed and canopy system, replacing the standard tub. Add in a roof rack with LED spotlights and a Redarc 12-volt battery system, and the Tasman looks less like a quirky commuter and more like a serious tool for the Outback.

Expert Analysis: Is It Enough?

As a journalist, I think this collaboration is a brilliant move. The Kia Tasman ARB accessories address the single biggest complaint about the truck: its looks. By covering the controversial front grille with a rugged bull bar and lifting the stance, ARB has essentially “fixed” the design for traditional truck buyers.

However, there is still a glaring hole in the strategy: The USA. Despite the Tasman’s capabilities, Kia has confirmed it will not be sold in the pickup-hungry US market, largely due to the “Chicken Tax” tariffs. While rumors persist of a separate, US-specific electric truck in the future, the Tasman is currently fighting with one hand tied behind its back by missing out on the world’s largest truck market.

Conclusion

The arrival of these Kia Tasman ARB accessories proves that the platform has serious potential. The gear looks fantastic, functions perfectly, and gives the truck the rugged credibility it desperately needs. While it might not single-handedly save the sales targets in Australia, it shows prospective owners that the Tasman is a serious platform worth building on.

What do you think? Does the ARB treatment fix the Tasman’s looks, or would you still pick a Ranger? Share your thoughts below!

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