KG Mobility (KGM) has officially launched the country's first electric pickup truck, "Muso EV." The Muso EV is the first model of KGM's new integrated pickup brand, "Muso."
Kwak Jae-sun, chairman of KGM, held a new car launch event for the "Muso EV" at the company's headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on the 5th, and said, "The Muso EV is especially meaningful because it is the first vehicle I directly oversaw the development of since taking office as chairman of KGM."
The Muso EV is the first urban electric pickup released in the country. KGM explained that it encompasses the economic efficiency of electric vehicles, the practicality of pickups, and the comfort of sports utility vehicles (SUVs).
The Muso EV is equipped with an 80.6-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade battery, allowing it to travel 400 kilometers on a single charge. It can be charged up to 80% in just 24 minutes with fast charging.
The Muso EV is categorized as an eco-friendly commercial vehicle, making its economic efficiency a highlighted advantage. It is expected that the actual purchase price will be in the upper 30 million won range due to the substantial government subsidies it receives compared to electric passenger vehicles. When considering value-added tax refunds for small businesses, it is likely to drop to the 33 million won range.
Considering the acquisition tax reductions and highway toll discounts applicable to electric commercial vehicles, the estimated fuel cost for five years (based on 20,000 km annually) is about 6 million won. The company noted that this is about 14 million won less than the fuel costs for competitors' internal combustion engine pickups (Tarsman).
The Muso EV has secured the versatility of a pickup and the spaciousness of an SUV. The deck of the Muso EV can carry up to 500 kg. The second-row seats are equipped with a reclining function that allows for sliding and adjusting the seat back.
Chairman Kwak said, "We may be smaller than global automakers, but we will secure competitiveness rapidly," and added, "Strength is the product of mass and speed; until KGM's mass increases, we have to chase at a fast pace, or we will forever become a loser. I do not want to return to the difficult past of being a loser."
He continued, "We have had many ups and downs and have not been able to release many proper products, failing to meet consumer expectations. Going forward, we will strive to fulfill all consumer demands," and added, "We will build a diverse portfolio including the Torres, Actyon Hybrid, and Rexton gasoline."