Jun 14, 2026 – 9.00amProfits at Korean car maker Kia’s Australian business fell by more than a third last year amid growing competition from Chinese-made vehicles and after a marketing campaign for its new Tasman ute failed to draw in buyers despite the backing of several high-profile sports stars.Kia took a big step out of its traditional market of SUVs and sedans when it introduced the Tasman in mid-2025 in a bid to grab a slice of the ute market, which commands about 20 per cent of total new vehicle sales.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles