Kia is toying with the American pickup truck market, with this mid-size light-duty pickup. Looking very GM-like, with Cadillacesque taillamps, the Mojave extended cab features a power-operated load floor and a flip-open rear window with a sliding load surface that allows extension of the six-foot bed, similar to the Chevy Avalanche's midgate. The flat bed floor has no wheel well intrusion, but it's very shallow, and the tailgate opens level to the floor. The overly concept-like interior includes a DVD audio system. Engine is a 3.8L/280-hp forced-induction V-6, but Kia also is looking at four-cylinder and V-8 engine options for a future truck. Kia obviously is very serious about becoming a more mainstream, full-line automaker, but the automaker emphasizes that it doesn't have a North American factory planned that could build body-on-frame trucks. The Mohave is based on the body-on-frame Sorento SUV; Kia/Hyundai's upcoming Alabama plant is set up for strictly unibody cars and trucks.
