--- title: "Kia’s Launching a Body-on-Frame Truck by 2030: TDS" date: "2026-04-09" modified: "2026-04-09" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/kias-launching-a-body-on-frame-truck-by-2030-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Kia’s Launching a Body-on-Frame Truck by 2030: TDS ![Kia Tasman]() Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Quick, tight, and dense, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive headlines from around the globe and places them all in one spot. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. The first cup of coffee is gone and it's almost time for the kids to get up for school, so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Spending the week with the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek hybrid, and frankly this makes for a pretty ideal daily driver for getting from point A to point B. My kids haven't even complained about rear-seat space and the pint-sized lifted hatchback is averaging about 30 mpg in mixed suburban driving. 🛻 [Kia said]() it will launch a body-on-frame truck with hybrid and range-extended variants in North America by 2030; the announcement, which was made at Kia's annual investor day, gives insight into which powertrains we might possibly expect from [Hyundai's midsize body-on-frame pickup]() as the two are likely twinned together. ⚠️ A [new forecast]() puts production of the Scout Traveler SUV now out to September of 2028 with the Terra pickup now reportedly slated for production in March of 2030, which is four years away. 🔋 Tesla is [reportedly developing]() a smaller, cheaper EV. 🚗 [Volkswagen claimed]() it will not ditch sedans or hot hatches anytime soon. 🚕 Volkswagen's ID. Buzz robotaxi is [now hitting the streets of LA](). 💸 [Polestar is offering ]()up to a $21,000 discount on its Polestar 3 and up to $14,000 off the less expensive Polestar 4 to current Tesla drivers. *Got a news tip or feedback? Drop us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()