During the recent Kia Tasman Desert Test Drive Experience in Jordan, Ihsan Abubaker, COO of iQ Cars, interviewed Mr. Ahmed Soudodi, VP of Product & Marketing at Kia Middle East & Africa (MEA). The conversation followed a challenging drive from the Dead Sea through Wadi Araba and Al Bayda, ending in Petra, where the Tasman was tested across desert trails, steep climbs, and mountain passes.

Q: How important is the Iraqi market for Kia?

Ahmed Soudodi: “The Iraqi market is one of our top three markets in the Middle East and Africa. We’ve been the number one brand in Iraq for quite some time, with nearly 20 years of strong investment from our partners in Baghdad and Erbil. This year alone, our share has reached almost 29% — a clear sign of growth and the loyalty of Iraqi customers.”

Q: Who is the Tasman designed for?

Ahmed Soudodi: “Tasman is a lifestyle pickup with dual usage. It’s for someone who needs a capable truck for work during the week but also wants the comfort and luxury of an SUV for family and leisure over the weekend. Iraq is expected to become the number one market for Tasman sales in the Middle East.”

Q: Toyota Hilux dominates Iraq’s pickup segment. How will Kia compete?

Ahmed Soudodi: “We know Hilux owners are among the most loyal in the world. But Tasman offers something different. It disrupts the pickup segment with bold design, best-in-class technology, space, towing capacity, and off-road capability. We respect Toyota, but we are confident Tasman will carve out its share of the market.

We also have a strong SUV base in Iraq, selling over 16,000 Sorentos annually. Many of these customers could see Tasman as their next upgrade.”

Q: How important is digital marketing and marketplaces like iQ Cars for Kia?

Ahmed Soudodi: “Our strategy is mobile-first, social-first. We’ve already run campaigns like ‘Tribes of Arabia’ and continue to invest across TV, out-of-home, and digital platforms — from Google and Meta to TikTok. Local platforms like iQ Cars are also an important part of our communications in Iraq."

Conclusion

As highlighted in this interview with Kia MEA, Iraq is set to play a pivotal role in the success of the Tasman. With its dual-purpose design, advanced features, and bold positioning, Kia aims not only to challenge established players but also to redefine the pickup market for Iraqi drivers.

Explore Kia cars now on www.iqcars.net