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Here in the United States, Volkswagen has spent the last few decades concentrating on zippy compacts, nouveau-retro rides, and the occasional big-boned people mover. Abroad, however, VW cranks out a greater range of models—and has plans for even more, like the small pickup truck called the Volkswagen Tarok seen here. According to VW of America CEO Scott Keough, though, a compact pickup like the Tarok could make its way to our shores eventually—and it could be the deal of the year when it arrives.
“We can come in with an extremely smart price point,” Keough told Autoblog during the New York Auto Show. “I think you could put a vehicle like that in the marketplace for [the] mid-20s with proper engine, proper everything.”
Keough cited the uptick in people seeking exploration-ready vehicles as one reason why the time might be right for VW to jump into the American truck market.
“We do see a big trend in terms of outdoor enthusiasm,” Keough said. “Do I see more opportunity than I did before? I do.”
Assuming said vehicle would be as well-equipped at Keough’s quote suggests, a price point in the mid-$20,000 range would mean the VW truck could be thousands cheaper than comparable versions of other compact trucks like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.
That said, the VW pickup is expected to be something of a different animal than the burly body-on-frame trucks Americans are used to. The Tarok—which will go on sale in South America later this year, but just so happened to co-star VW’s booth at the NY Auto Show alongside the Atlas Basecamp Concept—is based on the same MQB platform as the VW Jetta and Golf compacts, the Atlas SUV, and the Audi TT roadster, among many, many other vehicles. At 193.5 inches long, it’s nearly a foot and a half shorter than the Honda Ridgeline, the other four-door unibody pickup truck on sale in the US these days. Like the defunct Chevrolet Avalanche, the cargo bay can be extended into the cabin to carry longer items, stretching the 47.5-inch bed out an additional 25.8 inches.
