ShieldAfrica 2021: Kia Wad Motors displays KM450 truck.

The Malian Car dealer and manufacturer Wad Motors sells and assembles Kia military vehicles. It displays at the International Land Defense Exhibition Shield Africa 2021, the Kia KM 450 light military truck.

The South Korean Kia KM 450 light military truck (Picture source Army Recognition)

The vehicles are assembled by Wad-Youngsan Industrie, founded by Wad Motors with the Korean company Youngsan, for which a factory was built in Banankoro, about 30 km from the Malian capital Bamako.

Since 2016, the plant is busy with the custom production of military vehicles. Wad Motors was named 2016 Partner of the Year by Kia.

The South Korean Kia KM450 is a 1-1/4-ton cargo light military truck that was developed in Korea for the transportation of cargo and soldiers. It has been renovated with new functions that include a high horsepower engine and power train, and a new ergonomic design that allows for the convenience and safety of the operation of devices and instruments.

The Kia KM450 can run at a maximum road speed of 104 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 700 km. It can carry a total of 12 military personnel and has a maximum loading weight of 2,500 kg with a total gross weight of 5,650 kg.