A high-ranking Kia executive says there’s “enough opportunity” for the Korean brand to build a bakkie, although adds such a vehicle is “a long way down the road”.

Michael Cole, chief operating officer and executive vice-president of Kia Motors America, told Motor Trend it is indeed possible for the firm to build a pick-up, considering sister brand Hyundai is (reportedly) close to unveiling the production version of its long-awaited Santa Cruz concept.

"Yeah, I think it is [possible for Kia to offer a bakkie]. I mean it's a long way down the road. We think that there's enough opportunity,” Cole told the US-based publication.

Still, he points out the firm has other priorities at the moment.

“We look at our core segments right now and we want to become a stronger SUV brand. We want to reaffirm our strength in the sedan line-up, and there are things that we still think we can do in those areas that offers us the best opportunity.

“Down the line, if we can tick all those boxes and say we've got this sorted and thinking about the electrification, and all of these other issues, could some sort of pick-up be part of the future Kia line-up? It could be, but it's not in our thinking right now.

“We're focusing on what we believe to be the core territory for us: SUVs and cars," he said.

Original article from Car