They will share a platform and mechanical components, but not styling.
This is part of the announced 8 million trucks and commercial vehicle alliance between Ford and VW.
There are no indications that it will come to North America.
This is great news if you live almost anywhere else than in North America. Although Volkswagen has teased us with a small-midsized pickup before, the Tarok Concept at the 2019 NY Auto Show, they’ve never committed to launching something like it here. Now that the new Volkswagen Amarok will share a platform with the new Ford Ranger, it could happen. Right?
A new Ford Ranger is expected to be launched in late 2021 or early 2022 for these other markets, namely Australia. This Ranger should eventually replace the one we currently have in North America which means that an Amarok based on the Ranger could comply with our regulations…
2020 Volkswagen Amarok | Photo: Volkswagen
Unfortunately, despite our wishes, here’s the reality, as reported by carsguide.com.au. Thomas Sedran, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “For us as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, our sights with the Amarok successor are on our main markets, above all in the EMEA economic area (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). Ultimately it is our customers who will benefit, as without the cooperation we would not have developed a new Amarok.”
The details of Ford and Volkswagen’s alliance, publicized at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, are quickly emerging. The just announced that they will build up to 8 million medium pickups and commercial vans. And this follows a huge investment on behalf of Volkswagen into Argo AI, a self-driving startup company with strong ties to Ford, to further develop autonomous driving technology.
2020 Volkswagen Amarok | Photo: Volkswagen
2020 Volkswagen Amarok | Photo: Volkswagen
