Volkswagen has officially confirmed development plans for the next-generation Amarok pickup, targeting a 2027 release with a region-specific strategy tailored exclusively for the South American market. Based on a teaser sketch, recent renderings—believed to reflect the production model closely—have sparked interest among consumers and industry watchers alike.
In a notable departure from the current global Amarok, which shares its architecture with the Ford Ranger, the upcoming version will be developed on a separate platform optimized for regional requirements. Volkswagen will produce the 2027 Amarok at its long-standing Pacheco plant in Argentina, continuing a legacy that began with the first-generation Amarok in 2009.
Designed for South America, Not North America
Volkswagen’s decision to limit the Amarok’s scope to South America reflects both strategic focus and trade policy constraints. The 25% U.S. tariff on imported pickups—known as the “chicken tax”—effectively rules out entry into the North American market, making the Amarok a South America-specific model for the foreseeable future.
The strategy also allows Volkswagen to localize the parts supply chain and tailor both product features and production capacity to regional consumer needs.
Design Evolution: More Refined, SUV-Like Characteristics
The rendering of the 2027 Amarok showcases Volkswagen’s latest family design language, incorporating split headlamps and sleek horizontal LED daytime running lights. Compared to the aggressive teaser sketches, the rendering presents a more refined front fascia, paired with practical features like black cladding, side steps, and roof rails to enhance utility.
The rear design features wide-set tail lamps and prominent Amarok lettering across the tailgate, aligning with the styling trend of contemporary pickup trucks. Traditional door handles and oversized side mirrors round out the rugged-yet-approachable profile.
Inside, the Amarok takes a surprisingly premium turn. A floating-style center console, ambient lighting, and a digital triple-screen layout—including a central infotainment display, digital cluster, and passenger-side interface—echo the sophistication found in upscale SUVs. Despite its commercial-class origins, the interior is positioned to appeal to family and leisure buyers.
Amarok vs. Tasman: A Tale of Two Strategies
Volkswagen’s regional focus contrasts Kia’s approach with its recently announced Tasman mid-size pickup. Designed for global rollout—including key markets in Oceania, Southeast Asia, and potentially Europe—the body-on-frame Tasman prioritizes modularity with a shared global platform and drivetrain.
The Amarok, meanwhile, represents a more insular strategy: bespoke production, a unique parts ecosystem, and localized design. As a result, the two models may become symbolic competitors—Volkswagen’s South America-centric Amarok versus Kia’s globally ambitious Tasman—representing divergent philosophies in the evolving global pickup segment.
Strategic Investment and Market Ambitions
Volkswagen is making significant investments to upgrade its Pacheco facility to support Amarok production, signaling its intent to reassert its presence in the competitive mid-size truck segment. While the outgoing Amarok was co-developed with Ford for global use, the 2027 model represents a deliberate pivot to regional specialization.
Kia, meanwhile, is reportedly exploring European and Korean market entries for the Tasman, potentially pitting the two trucks against each other in select overlapping regions.
As global interest in mid-size pickups grows—spanning both commercial and recreational use—Volkswagen’s Amarok and Kia’s Tasman are shaping up to define the next era of regionalized versus globalized truck development. Consumers will watch closely as the two automakers chart their distinct paths forward.
