Summary
- KG Mobility’s Musso EV pickup will be Korea’s first EV truck
- The Musso EV shares underpinnings with the KGM Torres EVX
- Expected to beat Hyundai and Kia to market with a debut in the first quater of this year
- The Musso EV features all-wheel drive and a dual-motor powertrain
- KG Mobility plans to sell the Musso EV pickup outside South Korea, with right-hand-drive versions for Australia and the UK.
Article
KG Mobility’s Musso EV Pickup: Korea’s First EV Truck
KG Mobility’s Musso EV pickup is set to be Korea’s first electric truck, beating out competitors Hyundai and Kia in their home country. The vehicle features unibody construction and shares the same underpinnings as the KGM Torres EVX, a crossover with a 73.4 kWh battery that allows for up to 287 miles of WLTP range. The Musso EV is expected to officially debut in South Korea in the first quarter of the year, putting KG Mobility at the forefront of the EV truck market in the region.
KG Mobility: Rebranded and Revived
Formerly known as SsangYong, KG Mobility underwent a rebranding after filing for bankruptcy in 2020 and finding a new owner. With roots dating back to 1954, SsangYong was a popular manufacturer of crossovers and SUVs, with one of its well-known models being the Musso. The Musso is now being transformed into an EV-only sub-brand within KG Mobility, with the Musso EV being the brand’s first electric pickup. With a design closely aligned with the concept unveiled in 2023, the Musso EV is set to make a significant impact in the EV truck market.
KG Mobility’s Musso EV Pickup: Powertrain and Performance
Underneath its stylish pickup body, the Musso EV shares the same platform as the Actyon and Torres models. The Torres EVX, a smaller SUV with an electric variant, features a single 190-horsepower motor and a 73.4-kilowatt-hour battery, providing it with a WLTP range of 287 miles. While details about the Musso EV’s powertrain are still under wraps, it’s confirmed to feature all-wheel drive, hinting at a dual-motor setup that promises impressive performance and capability.
International Expansion and Market Reach
KG Mobility plans to sell the Musso EV pickup outside of South Korea, with Australia and the UK set to receive right-hand-drive versions of the model. However, it remains unclear if the pickup will reach other markets such as Europe. Designed as a lifestyle truck rather than a heavy-duty offering, the Musso EV will cater to a specific market segment looking for a stylish and eco-friendly alternative to traditional pickups.
Competitors in the EV Pickup Market
While KG Mobility leads the charge with the Musso EV pickup, competitors such as Kia and Hyundai are also working on electric pickup trucks. Kia is developing an electric version of the Tasman pickup, while Hyundai’s electric truck project may be based on a platform supplied by General Motors. With Kia focusing on markets like Australia and the Middle East, Hyundai’s electric truck could cater more towards North American consumers with a possible range-extender feature.
The Future of Electric Trucks
As the EV market continues to expand, the introduction of electric pickup trucks marks a significant shift towards sustainable transportation. With KG Mobility’s Musso EV leading the way in Korea and Kia and Hyundai gearing up for their own EV truck releases, the future looks bright for electric vehicles in the pickup segment. Consumers can expect more options, increased range, and improved performance as automakers embrace electrification and sustainable mobility solutions.
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