Monday, June 8, 2009

Volkswagen To Offer Pickup In 2010

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Possible Volkswagen Pickup Styling

Possible Volkswagen Pickup Styling

Further solidifying their hold as Europe’s largest automaker, Volkswagen is expanding their lineup to include a mid-size pickup in 2010.  If pre-production photos are any indication the new vehicle will adopt a  Ridgeline-like profile.  The pickup will be named the “Amarok,” and therefore also continue VW’s recent use of hard-to-pronounce, nonsensical model names.

The name is a derivative of the word “wolf” in the Inuit language, but may as well mean, “unsuccessful, Frankenstein truck” to those in the United States.  Nevertheless, the truck will be built in VW’s manufacturing plant in Pacheco Argentina and will initially go on sale in South America and Europe, followed by Australia and Africa, before a possible importation to North America.  Subsequent lackluster sales and discontinuation here in the states are sure to follow.

VW Robust Concept

VW Robust Concept

Despite skepticism as to it’s success in America, it will be another major step in VW’s market share consolidation in contrast to GM’s decline on the world stage.  Both the single and double cab versions will utilize a variant of VW’s highly acclaimed common rail turbo diesel injection (TDI) and purportedly produce the best fuel economy and emissions in its class.

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport

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While the 2009 Detroit auto show was arguably the most miserable in living memory, it did have a few bright moments. Among the most notable was a delightful little mid-engined barchetta concept from Volkswagen – the Concept BlueSport Roadster. The only thing more delightful than recently driving it up and down a mountain pass on the German-Austrian border would be a decision by VW to put the diesel two-seater into production.

Such a green light might not be far away. Volkswagen bosses always intended the concept to be feasible pending a positive public reaction, which it received at Detroit and elsewhere. Volkswagen  Group policy is currently to invest strongly in new product. Rivals who are suffering more than the German automaker in the recession are cutting back on their new-car pipelines.

Volkswagen Concept Bluesport

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