It’s been a very long time coming. At a media panel on the 2026 New York Worldwide Auto Present (NYIAS), Volkswagen Group of America’s CEO Kjell Gruner simply mentioned he “wouldn’t rule out” the concept of a pickup for the American market. That assertion alone has despatched heads spinning.
The information comes after Hyundai not too long ago revealed its body-on-frame-constructed Hyundai Boulder Concept. However it appears that evidently the sheer dimension of the pickup truck market within the US has confirmed onerous for VW to disregard anymore.
Now, for these of you who might not be privy, Volkswagen has had a confirmed pickup truck in its portfolio since 2010 referred to as the Amarok. The one downside is that VW has saved the pickup for export to Australia, South America, and Asia. It has by no means been on sale within the States … but!
Volkswagen
The Amaraok is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 333 lb-ft (451.4 Nm) of torque. That’s only a tad bit greater than the likes of the 270 hp, 310 lb-ft (420 Nm) Ford Ranger.
And whereas the prospect of a midsize pickup does sound attractive, the German carmaker is seemingly wanting on the prospect of smaller pickup vehicles, as Motor1 not too long ago identified. Why? To know that, you’d want to take a look at the final path VW has taken.
Volkswagen’s present portfolio relies round its modular automobile platform. Every little thing from compact hatchbacks to full-size SUVs, hybrids, and even its electrical automobiles shares one widespread issue. That’s, unibody development.
Volkswagen
Unibody vehicles, such because the Golf, are put along with a single cab and chassis as an alternative of fastening a physique and engine to a body like body-on-frame vehicles within the USA do. So it is smart that VW is wanting on the small pickup truck class that might make use of the identical unibody development.
So whereas it most likely wouldn’t be a full-size body-on-frame truck like Ford and Chevrolet make, it may very nicely be an MQB-based B- and C-class automobile, more than likely with a 2.0-liter TSI engine. And who is aware of, it may very nicely be produced within the USA to keep away from costly taxes and maintain pricing aggressive.
Meaning it could immediately compete with the departing Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick, which, by the best way, holds a monopoly of types in compact truck gross sales in years previous. Don’t overlook the Slate barebones Truck that’s supposed to come back at a US$25,000 value level.
Volkswagen
Gruner said that “each [unibody or body-on-frame] might be profitable” and that it depends upon the appliance when requested what path VW would possibly take with the brand new pickup. “It relies upon a bit on what we need to do with it, as a result of body-on-frame helps, in fact, if you wish to go extra off-road and rugged, versus on-road positioning [with] unibody. Additionally, you may leverage present unibody platforms. So … they’ve professionals and cons. There’s not one clear-cut answer.”
In a rustic the place pickup vehicles account 30% of all new vehicles bought yearly, may we see a contemporary face in any case? VW’s 2019 Tarok concept as soon as hinted at a transfer on this very path. Might it’s a reference level for what the corporate is hinting at?
Solely time will inform. Certain are thrilling occasions for this section.
By way of: Motor1
