For a variety of reasons, including the long-standing “Chicken Tax,” Volkswagen has never imported the Amarok, a midsize pickup that competes globally with models like the Ford Ranger. Now, with production of the ID.4 ending in Chattanooga, the automaker is freeing up space that could be used to build a “Made in America” pickup.
- The pickup could be built alongside the Atlas in Tennessee
- It would share a unibody architecture
- A 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder with 282 horsepower is expected
- Towing capacity could reach 5,000 lb
A Strategic Shift Driven by Market Pressures
Volkswagen is navigating a period of major transformation as it works to secure its future. Political changes in the United States have triggered significant disruption across the automotive industry, and Volkswagen must adapt quickly.
In this context, the brand has ended U.S. production of the ID.4. Existing inventory should sustain the model until at least 2027, ahead of its refresh under the ID. Tiguan name. With that shift, Volkswagen will adjust production of the next-generation Atlas for 2027.
Volkswagen to Stop Production of the ID.4 in Tennessee Later This Month
However, additional capacity remains available, opening the door for a new product. This is where the pickup truck concept resurfaces. The idea is not new. Back in 2018, Volkswagen unveiled the Atlas Tanoak concept, envisioned as part of a three-vehicle lineup alongside the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport.
Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Pickup Concept 2018A Long-Standing Ambition
In 2018, Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, told Car and Driver that a pickup was under consideration for North America. “That’s one of the growth options we are discussing.” Ultimately, the project never materialized.
Today, Volkswagen is clearly prioritizing higher-volume vehicles, a logical move given the dominance of pickup trucks in North America. As part of the Atlas renewal strategy, the company confirmed that ending ID.4 production would allow the introduction of “a new product intended specifically to meet U.S. consumer needs and in line with the new focus on high-volume vehicles.”
Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Pickup Concept 2018Six years later, Gruner remains cautious but consistent. Speaking to Motor1.com at the New York Auto Show, he stated: “I wouldn’t want to rule it out at all… a pickup truck is not ruled out.”
Platform and Powertrain
To optimize costs, Volkswagen is expected to follow a similar strategy to Honda with the Pilot and Ridgeline. The goal is to minimize engineering changes and streamline production.
Honda Ridgeline TrailSport 2026As a result, the pickup would likely be based on the MQB platform, featuring a unibody structure rather than a traditional body-on-frame layout. Power would come from an updated EA888 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 282 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system would be standard.
Volkswagen Atlas 2027Towing Capacity and Market Position
One potential drawback for some buyers is towing capability, expected to match the Atlas at 2,268 kg (5,000 lb). This would place the truck directly against competitors like the Honda Ridgeline.
As a result, Volkswagen’s pickup would likely occupy a more niche position compared to traditional American and Japanese rivals, many of which offer significantly higher towing capacities.
