Km450???

I don't know if this has been brought up before, but has anyone seen the Kia KM450 trucks (a modern remake of the M715)? they look pretty interesting (just like a slightly updated version of the M715). Kia apparently also makes Deuce and a Halfs and quite a few other military vehicles...I found the KM420 to be pretty cool looking as a light military vehicle.

I'm really wondering if there is going to be any way to get any of these in the US at all.

KM450:



KM420:




--Wintermute

here's what they make

They've actually expanded their product line a bit more now. Here's the latest matrix of their military trucks:



--Wintermute

i think a company was trying to import them but i dont know what happened to them. It would probably be cheaper in the long run to throw a 4BT and a set of faster axles under a truck thats already here. I do like the flowing fenders, looks like a jeep commanche

they make deuces in production now? or sell them?

I just wonder if Kia bought AM General's tooling or did they reverse engineer the trucks from scratch? Many of the new production deuce parts like windshield inner frames are actually made for these trucks.

I wonder how they will put a 4 cyl engine in the Deuce .....ok with a 20 speed trans ........lol . They don't buy any tooling from anyone they copy the patton from the records building and start pumping them out. They have no copy rite laws in Asia and aren't subject to punishment either. Thats where 99 % of the knock offs come from.

Scarecrow1 said:

They don't buy any tooling from anyone they copy the patton from the records building and start pumping them out. They have no copy rite laws in Asia and aren't subject to punishment either. Thats where 99 % of the knock offs come from.

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In relation to any truck that is more than 20 years old, this wouldn't matter anyways. Utility Patents in the US have a 20 year lifespan. After that, whatever your invention was is freely available for all to use without paying you any royalties or even providing you credit for the invention.

Outside of anything that is over 20 years old though, yes, asia (specifically China, Taiwan and Thailand (Korea is actually much lower in production of knockoffs than many other asian countries largely due to a large US influence on their government and industry).

Aside from all of that, the trucks may look alike, but they are not the same, different engines, diffs, frames, etc... etc... etc...

--Wintermute

Scarecrow1 said:

I wonder how they will put a 4 cyl engine in the Deuce .....ok with a 20 speed trans ........lol .

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Also, from Kia's military vehicles page regarding the KM50 series (their deuce and half models):

"All vehicles are equipped with a six cylinder, 236hp diesel engine, a five-speed transmission and two-speed transfer case which transmits power to the front and rear axles"

--Wintermute

If I'm not mistaken KIA got permission from the US government to produce the KM450.

Yup, they did. I actually got ahold of the Kia military division and they said they aren't allowed to produce them for civilian usage. Basically, they won't ship one to the US for a civvy purchase because the US gov won't let them. Kinda sucks...I'd love to have one of those sitting next to my M715

--Wintermute

Actually there's at least 6 in the US. Cummins Military Systems had them at their auction in Augusta in various conditions. They went pretty cheap.

hndrsonj said:

Actually there's at least 6 in the US. Cummins Military Systems had them at their auction in Augusta in various conditions. They went pretty cheap.

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****, wish I had known. I would have bought one . Let me know if any come up for sale anywhere else. I'll pick one up then

--Wintermute

Febriary 27th, 2012.

BOYS!

It is now time to start working on our representatives to get the law amended on these trucks, as NOBODY is producing a new M715 or M35A2 in the states, we aren't going to be hurting any current producers... If KIA can sell cars here, we need to get at least these two trucks brought in as utility vehicle.....

saddamsnightmare said:

Febriary 27th, 2012.

BOYS!

It is now time to start working on our representatives to get the law amended on these trucks, as NOBODY is producing a new M715 or M35A2 in the states, we aren't going to be hurting any current producers... If KIA can sell cars here, we need to get at least these two trucks brought in as utility vehicle.....

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Yep, Just as soon as they let us sell Chevy & Ford trucks there!

Very cool now if they sold us replacement parts for Equipment to up date it.
Or new sheet metal would be ++ win fenders doors cabs ECT.

MArch 2nd, 2012.

Gents:

Be careful what you wish for..I don't believe S.Korea forbids the importation of Chevy's or Ford's, but ask yourself, how many 6 and 8 cylinder cars and trucks (much less V-10's) are you going to sell in a country where gasoline is probably already $5.00 a gallon? You may be wanting a diesel pickup based on the M715 shortly when diesel and gas hits $5.00 a gallon here and stays there.... Besides which, ask GM how well it did selling a miniature car in China under license, and the chinese copied it without license, like their copies of our hummer...(HMMWV)...
The only way to beat them is to build better, cheaper and more efficient...

What is worrying me is what is going to happen when India and China all have vehicles for more then half their present populations? So far you have not see gasoline or diesel spike like it will do then... Just a thought.


opcorn:

saddamsnightmare said:

MArch 2nd, 2012.

Gents:

... how many 6 and 8 cylinder cars and trucks (much less V-10's) are you going to sell in a country where gasoline is probably already $5.00 a gallon? .


opcorn:

Click to expand...

Actually quite a lot. They have about everything over here Chevy, Cadillac, Ford (Mustangs all over), Lincoln... all of the European brands as well. I saw a Dodge Stealth a few weeks ago.

Tons of propane vehicles and I do like the diesel vehicle choices.

Most GM/Ford trucks are US Military or Americans stationed here.

Do you think GM actually used the "stimulus" to help their US plants or did they use it to buy interest in foreign companies? Lots of little former Daewoo designs with the Chevy bowtie here.

How about a Km450 rocket truck?