Volkswagen has released images of its new pickup truck, the new Amarok, exclusively for the South American market. This model will be developed as a completely different vehicle from the second-generation Amarok currently sold globally. In particular, the design, platform, and powertrain will be configured separately and sold globally as a localized strategy. Some have even raised the possibility of technical cooperation with China’s SAIC, drawing attention from the market.
The new Amarok in the image gives an entirely different impression from the existing model, with its vertically divided three-tier LED lights, bold bumpers, and wide wheel arches. It is the successor to the first-generation Amarok currently being sold in South America, and development is underway with the goal of mass production in 2027. Through this, Volkswagen plans to respond directly to changes in demand in the South American pickup truck market.
Collaboration with China’s SAIC: A New Partnership Strategy?
Reports suggest that Volkswagen may collaborate with China’s SAIC Motor for platform and technology components. According to media outlets in Brazil and Argentina, the new Amarok could adopt a configuration similar to the T90, a frame-body pickup under SAIC’s Maxus brand. While Volkswagen will oversee the full vehicle design, key hardware components are expected to be sourced externally, marking a new level of cooperation in the industry.
This collaboration underscores Volkswagen’s intention to create a regional model specifically for the South American market, in contrast to the global Amarok based on the Ford Ranger platform. Unlike previous strategies, this South American-focused Amarok will not be exported globally, with production confined to the region.
Performance Features: Maintaining the V6 Turbo Diesel Engine
Despite the shift in platforduction strategy, the new Amarok shift is expected to retain the popular V6 turbo diesel engine, a cornerstone of the model’s appeal in South America. This powertrain, known for its off-road capability and performance, continues to resonate with South American consumers, and its inclusion ensures that the Amarok maintains its competitive edge in a market that values rugged, high-performance pickups.
Implementing a Two-Track Strategy Global Pickup Market in Flux
Volkswagen’s approach to the Amarok now includes a dual strategy: one focused on the global second-generation Amarok, based on the Ford Ranger platform, and the other targeting regional South American markets with a new, dedicated model. The South American Amarok will be fully refreshed, from its platform to the production system, representing a significant departure from the current first-generation model produced in Argentina.
Interestingly, Volkswagen has opted not to export this South American-specific model to other markets. Instead, the global Amarok, currently produced in South Africa, will continue to serve international markets, while the new model will be tailored to local tastes and requirements. This regional focus suggests a deeper commitment to offering customized solutions based on market-specific needs, positioning the Amarok as a more competitive player against rivals like the Kia Tasman, which is poised to enter the large pickup truck market.
Ultimately, Volkswagen’s dual strategy is interpreted as an intention to secure global competitiveness through a market-specific platform rather than simple model diversification. The industry is paying close attention to what kind of response Volkswagen can elicit in the South American market through the new Amarok and whether it will affect the launch strategy of future competing models.
