Volkswagen says US pickup is back on the table

kjclow said:

That's the main reason that the ridgeline will only pull 5000 pounds. It is a unibody construction based on the accord frame.

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'Course the Ridgeline drives real nice AND can tow something when the mood (rarely) strikes.

Personally, if you're gonna buy a truck, get the real deal.

TDIFred said:

what, no gauchos in Albuquerque?

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Well, maybe off of Rio Grande, but they all drive Fords.

German_1er_diesel said:

Isn't the ridgeline Accord based? The Amarok is a body-on-frame platform. And there will be a standard cab Amarok soon... With a longer bed.

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The Ridgeline doesn't share its chassis with the Accord.

the trouble is VW is looking at the wrong end of the US truck market, they need to shoot smaller,

the VW Pointer Pickup is perfect for the US market, as Ford and Chevy dropped their smaller truck lines.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1005782a mini-truck is what the US needs, with a 2.0L TDI power plant it would "Smoke" Fords F-150 fuel economy numbers.

LRTDI said:

The Ridgeline doesn't share its chassis with the Accord.

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But it is a unibody. And it may well be dead.

VW AMAROK Bombs in Brazil

The TTAC Brazilian correspondent cite the lack of an automatic transmission and VW arrogance for the poor reception of the Amorok: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/vw-and-peugeot-do-brasil-we’ve-got-the-pickup-blues/#more-365496

VLS_GUY said:

The TTAC Brazilian correspondent cite the lack of an automatic transmission and VW arrogance for the poor reception of the Amorok: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/vw-and-peugeot-do-brasil-we’ve-got-the-pickup-blues/#more-365496

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In Brazil, now, only the top-of-the-line Highline is available. No bas trim, no mid-priced "Trendline".

Aussie family member of mine told me to look at the Ford Ranger over there. Its good looking 3.0 diesel..... Dang.

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/Cont...e=FOA/DFYPage/Ford-Default&site=FOA&c=DFYPage

VLS_GUY said:

The TTAC Brazilian correspondent cite the lack of an automatic transmission and VW arrogance for the poor reception of the Amorok: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/vw-and-peugeot-do-brasil-we’ve-got-the-pickup-blues/#more-365496

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The reporter whining about the lack of an automatic just sounded pathetic...

LRTDI said:

Aussie family member of mine told me to look at the Ford Ranger over there. Its good looking 3.0 diesel..... Dang.

http://www.ford.com.au/servlet/Cont...e=FOA/DFYPage/Ford-Default&site=FOA&c=DFYPage

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Sigh... another nice diesel. I'd take one of those too... of course I doubt Ford would ever bring that here... hmm, might cut into their F150 sales...

domboy said:

Sigh... another nice diesel. I'd take one of those too... of course I doubt Ford would ever bring that here... hmm, might cut into their F150 sales...

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Stupid 75% chicken Tax.

Amarok tdi

Spotted this in St. Wolfgang, supposed to be a new release and all of the dealers are coming in to get ready.

We had a VWfest today and VW importer presented several Amaroks.

Guys, it's huge. Not as Tundra of course, but I didn't expect VW to produce such a car. Really strange, that VW doesn't want to sell them across the pond.

The Australian Rangers are pretty sweet! Sure wish we got those here instead of this lame Amarok thing.

One interesting thing I noticed is that the fuel door is on the left side, while it's on the right side on most other VWs. I actually like the idea that its not a small truck. If I decide to spend the money some day, then I might want the slightly larger size.

At least it has an actual frame instead of a unibody setup. This by itself places it far ahead of that violet and posie retriever called the Ridgeline.

What a great looking pickup. I wouldn't even mind if it was a unibody setup since that usually equates to better handling and ride quality. But with unibody construction, you'll sacrifice payload and towing capacity. I wouldn't mind having a quad cab Amarok with a manual transmission. There must be a real good reason why VW elected not to bring this beast to NA soil. Or maybe the Government won't allow it because they're secretly trying to protect the NA pickup market. The big two still owes money from the bail out. Perhaps this is why we don't have a diesel hilux or diesel tacoma.

Quanger said:

There must be a real good reason why VW elected not to bring this beast to NA soil.

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There is one, and it's called "chicken tax".

Here's a few from St. Wolfgang last week:

German_1er_diesel said:

There is one, and it's called "chicken tax".

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So in order to respond to chicken tax, manufacturers have to build or atleast assemble their vehicles on american soil?

Now thats rubbish.

USA/Canada/Mexico. Protectionism at it's best.

VW Amarok

I've just been to the VW dealer in my town and have had a chance to check out the new Amarok. It seems like a really robust pickup. If it doesn't suffer from reliability issues, it should be a great truck, here are the specs and prices we have in Mexico:

http://www.amarok.com.mx/

It's only available as a double cabin right now, so Startline price under 25k, 4x4 highline just under 35k. This puts the Startline version near the Toyota Hilux and the Highline near the Tacoma 4x4 TRD, with the promise of much better fuel mileage and nice power (163hp, 400nm@1500rpm). The promise is that it gets an average of 35mpg. My only concern is that it's a biturbo CR engine that meets Euro IV emissions, but mexican diesel is not yet ULSD...

Will see if I can get a test drive next week, might be a good replacement for my 2006 MK4, but in one or two years when we can see if it's really as good as it promises to be...

About the price in the US, it will be interesting because the Toyota cars and trucks are like 30% cheaper in the US than in Mexico (don't know why Toyota and Honda are so expensive down here). However, VW and other brands have similar prices for other models. Do you think the Amarok will be able to compete in the US with pricetags in this range?

Regards

Quanger said:

So in order to respond to chicken tax, manufacturers have to build or at least assemble their vehicles on American soil?

Now thats rubbish.

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Just another sign that when our government starts a new tax, they never let go, but we can Thank the unions and the big auto makers in Detroit for keeping a 1964 era tariff alive for 45 years.
The currently best way around it I have read is Ford's Transport (weird shrunken Mini-van cargo thingy) they import all of them with 4-seats, as passenger vans, remove and recycle the seats, and equip them as cargo vans.

Importers used the Chassis-Cab and box importing where they imported the Truck body, motor and frame, as a single assembled unit and installed the box or bed in the US. (the Chevy Luv was a result of this method, which they closed the loophole in 1980's)...

Read more -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax

Really like the looks of the chrome addition. I can picture one of those in my driveway right now. If VW would assemble them at the new Chattanooga plant, then we don't have to worry about the chicken tax.

More Amarok videos!

Indian market (?) ad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNhXZarVja4

South African "Amarok Challenge" marketing videos:
"Sarol Stops An Amarok"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SPz947WSb4
"The Load Made Lighter"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20dTlKbt72Y
"Fuel Efficiency"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMsoqMw98ts
"Off Road Ability"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_UMnoESHCE
"Space Oddysey"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pskDdkW8yDc
"Gugu's Standing Start"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EOjzSd_Ye0
"Towing Ability"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVQeJjRCwpg
"Up A Hill With A Ton"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW4QxHa9R6g ("Competition - what's that?")

new VWOA CEO might be what we need for the Armarok to be built here:
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/volkswagen_news/article_2777.shtml

Manufacturing the Amarok in Chattanooga makes so much sense. That's why it won't be done.

G60ING said:

new VWOA CEO might be what we need for the Armarok to be built here:
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/volkswagen_news/article_2777.shtml

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he calims to be paying attention to facebook, maybe we should all post on VW of America's wall about wanting our Amaroks.

hope u guys are right cause my truck has 90000 and will be getting a truck in a year or two

German_1er_diesel said:

More Amarok videos!

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Why oh why do I keep tormenting myself by watching those videos!?!

Man I want this machine... it'd make so much sense to sell it here. If a doggone Chrysler minivan can fit into VW's American image and lineup, surely this truck can... here in the US where trucks rule!

a "no-brainer"

Would these sell in the USA?.... LIKE HOTCAKES!

Even with added cost due to chicken tax. Or, expand Chattanooga and add an Amarok line there, and you would see them everywhere. I think I will continue to pester the sales folks at my local VW dealers, and contact VW through the website to remind them periodically. It might be the best way to convince the new CEO that he won't lose his job on the decision!

Is this just a rebadged Dodge with a VW powerplant or complete, similar to the sweet minivan on the lots?