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VW Amarok in the US?

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Maybe.
Originally, the compact pick-up truck was designed mostly for the south American market.
But now VW is said to be considering the US as well.

The Ford Ranger is on its way out, and Toyota and Nissan trucks aren’t that compact anymore.

I think there could very well be a market for these in the US . If the price is right AKA:Cheap.

What do you think?

Conversation 22 comments

  1. In a heartbeat. This is what I need. I don't need gobs of options. Just the basic truck, like the old Chevy S10.

  4. Conceptually this is obviously based upon the FORD Explorer SportTrack, as much as it is visually a blatant rip-of of the Ford Explorer SportTrack… VW – I Am Disappoint!

  6. First one (Ford, VW, …?) to offer a small pickup with a regular cab, long bed, 4wd, a stick shift AND a turbodiesel four cylinder gets my business.

  7. Just don't expect any of the victims who purchased the Rabbit pick-up to get in line…..they're still going through the healing process.

  8. Three letters: TDI. I have been wanting a small, limited frills, economical truck for about 10 yrs. The only quality offerings are the too-big Tacoma/Frontier. I'm driving an 11 year old Ranger until something like this comes out. PLEASE HURRY VW!!!

  9. They'll sell a few–heck, even the Honda Ridgeline sold a few; and look at what a pathetic mess that was!

  10. Just don't expect any of the victims who purchased the Rabbit pick-up…….
    Is that why i see so many of them still on the road here in so cal ? and if ya got the diesel ya get over 50 mpg in a pickup ! they were also on the market 30 years ago, wow how we havent advanced ! sik . Now for the VW Amarok , i heard VW cant bring it here cause it would have to be priced at over 30k to make any money on it….. soo and overpriced unreliable electric gremlin sounds like a sales flop ~ friends dont let friends buy VWs anymore !

  11. I just don't see this being too cheap but then again, the upcoming Mexican built Jetta and mid size sedan will be built to a cheaper price point than currently…That being said I don't know about VW cutting corners even more than they do…

  12. Anyone who thinks that Ford pioneered the 4 door pick-up hasn't been paying attention to South America for the past 2 decades.

    This would be a great $20k and up model to compete with the Mahindra. They have to offer the diesel though. It would make a great tow vehicle for small sports cars.

    Go for it VW.

  13. Ripoff of the Subaru Baja which had to be much better than anything VW throws together. If the Baja was a slow seller, this POJ would be a "no" seller in the US.

  14. Yes, if the price is low this little truck could do quite well. However, to get the price down VW will have to:

    1. Offer a stripped down version … and they won't be able to "go Jetta-esque" by sticking a wimpy, low output 2.0 litre four in this truck.

    2. Find a way around the 25% chicken tax … they'll have to assemble the trucks in North America (partially or completely) or find a way to classify the Amarok as a passenger car (rather than a light truck).

    The old Volkswagen Caddy (ie, the early 1980's VW Rabbit based truck) still has a strong (if small) following in North America. If this Amarok is marketed properly (low selling price, available diesel engine) VW should have no trouble finding buyers in North America.

  15. When people buy trucks they go to those brands that have been making them for years. It will flop like the Phaeton.

  16. since Ford Explorer Sport Trac wont be no longer in production, VW Amarok would be an option to purchase… but now VW is cutting their costs – realibility of VW would be an ongoing issue for Americans… what future holds for VW? We will see…

  18. Well, it is a VW so that means two things:

    1. It will be priced higher than everyone else and offer nothing more.

    2. It will be insanely unreliable.

    This thing would be a flop in the US.

    "Anonymous said…

    They'll sell a few–heck, even the Honda Ridgeline sold a few; and look at what a pathetic mess that was!

    August 19, 2010 4:32 PM"

    The Ridgeline wasn't a pathetic mess though, that was all an unearned reputation from stupid rednecks that never drove it.

    I knew two people who owned them, both of which came out of bigger trucks. One was a F-150, the other a Silverado HD with a Duramax.

    Both said the Ridgeline was hands down the best vehicle they have ever owned.

  19. "I knew two people who owned (Ridgelines), both of which came out of bigger trucks. One was a F-150, the other a Silverado HD with a Duramax… Both said the Ridgeline was hands down the best vehicle they have ever owned."

    Isn't this a bit like saying that the Smart is "hands down the best vehicle out there" because it gets more MPG than your S-Class Mercedes??? Apples-to-orange, my friend. Lets see how that Ridgelind tows the 5th-wheel trailer that a Silverado HD Duramax is intended to tow.

    Compared to Ranger, Colorado, and the weakest Dakota; Ridgeline is a major dissappointment on so many levels. But if you're stuck on Hondas; I guess at least it's not a 5-door Accord crosstour Hatchback (hunchback?)

  20. Reality is that (while I don't personally like them) Ridgeline apeals to the needs of 99% of truck buyers. Where it doesn't meet 99% of the needs of truck buyers is image.

    I know a PILE of people who own a truck that rarely / never use the bed, never use the towing, have never been off road beyond a gravel road.

    If Honda had made the Ridgeline an image vehicle – it would have sold boat loads.

  21. Nissan Frontier, the safest truck available in roof crash tests You tube it!) is the only truck on the market . it's solid , tough and durable.

  22. Anyone who thinks that Ford pioneered the 4 door pick-up hasn't been paying attention to South America for the past 2 decades.

    FYI: Dodge started mass-producing 4-door pickups in Detroit in 1963.

    "If Honda had made the Ridgeline an image vehicle – it would have sold boat loads…"

    And if Ridgeline had wings it could fly.

    But it was what it was: weak, slow, goofy-looking, cheap hard plastics, too small,–in a word–USELESS. Mabey THAT'S why the Honda didn't sell.

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