- Per VW, the Amarok is destined for Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa and South America.
- Asia is also not included as a market for the Amarok.
- The pickup has a powerful yet small turbo-4, with output of 160 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque.
SAO BERNARDO DO CAMPO, Brazil — The Volkswagen Amarok, a four-wheel-drive crew-cab pickup built in Argentina, won't be coming to U.S. shores. So says Brazil media relations manager Gilberto dos Santos in response to an inquiry from Inside Line.
Late last month, a Car and Driver blog reported that the Amarok was expected to come to the U.S., although not soon. Dos Santos responded to IL: "Volkswagen is not planning currently to market the Amarok in the U.S.. It is destined for South America, Europe, Russia, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Capacity of the General Pacheco manufacturing plant in Argentina is 100,000 units yearly, and the planned demand will be fully met. Other markets such as the U.S. and Asia are not in the company's plans."
During the international launch in early February in Argentina, VW Commercial Vehicles officials told IL that the Amarok would not go the U.S. — to our and many journalists' astonishment, since the U.S. is the world's largest pickup market, and the small but powerful turbodiesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is aligned with the engine downsizing trend favoring both better fuel economy and fewer carbon dioxide emissions. Besides, it is powerful and torquey enough to pull heavy trailers and handle off-road driving with ease.
Torque is a hefty 295 pound-feet from 1,500-2,000 rpm, while output is 160 horsepower at 4,000 rpm. It goes freely to 5,000 rpm, unlike a diesel engine. It has a total combined weight of 5.5 metric tons, so it can pull up to 3,343 pounds.
Inside Line says: Volkswagen would do well to reconsider this marketing strategy. — Bob Sharp, Correspondent
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mr42hh says:
01:24 AM, 08/30/2010
The Amarok is not a compact truck - it's exactly as large as a 2004 F-150.
welshdog says:
10:34 PM, 08/28/2010
Thank goodness they dropped this thing, It is patently obvious that it would never succeed here. It's only half a truck. Plus American makers have done these half pickup, half SUV models too - and they failed. Finally a smart move on VWs part for the US market.
the_gasser says:
10:11 AM, 08/27/2010
Volkswagen of America did a business case and found that in order to make a profit selling the Amarok in the U.S., the truck would have to immediately become the second best selling compact pickup in the U.S., behind the Ranger and ahead of the Tacoma. Its not realistic to expect that the truck will hit the market and immediately outsell the Tacoma.
It's disappointing that we won't get this vehicle, but you've got to give VWoA credit for making a good business decision.
johnmarco says:
09:26 AM, 08/27/2010
Too bad. An attractive, mid sized pick up with an efficient turbodiesel would be just the ticket. But the real reason VW is not importing this truck is not given: they are planning on rebodying the Ram, changing the instrument binnacle, and charging a $45k base price.
mlindstrom says:
08:06 PM, 08/26/2010
US should remove the chicken tax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax)..
kevin118 says:
05:41 PM, 08/26/2010
They want to sell the $85K Phaeton in the US market, a car which won't sell in volume because of the the brand's low-mid market position. But they refuse to bring in the Amarok, a truck that could achieve some serious market share in the light pickup segment if promoted properly. I'll never understand VW in America. They roared from 1965 until 1975, and have never been a major force since. To be a leader in the US market, you need pickup trucks (observe the Big 3, Toyota and Nissan).
juan_mx says:
02:10 PM, 08/26/2010
Is it built in Argentina or in Brazil?
Does Mr. Bob Shap know that Argentina and Brazil are different countries?
tdiluv says:
12:19 PM, 08/26/2010
The US is definately a big truck market as fuel is so inexpensive and it only costs about 75 dollars for a 25 gallon fill up! Someday a smaller truck market may develop and VW would have this product ready.
It will be interesting when MAHINDRA comes in soon with their small diesel truck as to whether they take off in sales or not!
zoomzoomn says:
12:19 PM, 08/26/2010
Not surprising, really. Yes, the US is a big pickup market, but small trucks are not selling that well here. Seems that truck buyers like 'em big here in the States!!!
compressor says:
12:08 PM, 08/26/2010
jonmc - Those numbers ($25k) are not possible. No manufacturer achieves thoses numbers now, based on MSRP.
Look at how well Tacoma's sell. Standard tow rating is 3500 lbs. I think withteh tow package, this increases to ~6,000 lbs. Double cab price with the V6 is well over $31k with no other options added.
VW could easily compete in this market with this truck. The interior is far superior to any current midsize truck on the market. If it proves to be reliable, a small diesel offering would sell well. Pricing woudl only need to be competitive with the Tacoma and Frontier double cabs.
BTW - the ranger has not been competitive in this market for some time. I personally like the size of the truck, but its not a double cab and does not attract the same buyer.