VW Is Considering Building An Electric Pickup Truck For The U.S.
by AutoExpert | 14 February, 2023
Volkswagen is planning to develop a pickup truck for the US market, according to Hein Schafer, the SVP of product marketing strategy. This announcement comes during a product presentation ahead the release of the new 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs.
Dealers are reportedly looking forward to a Volkswagen pickup truck option to compete in the popular truck segment.
Schafer provided an overview of the company's product investment during the roundtable discussion. The current cycle of investment includes internal combustion engine vehicles such as the Cross Sport, Atlas, Tiguan, and Taos, as well as electric vehicles like the ID. Buzz, ID.4, and ID.7 sedan, as well as a midsize EV SUV that is in development.
"To double up your investment on both sides of the fence, we're a 2 to 2.5 percent [profit margin] brand, and this [product development] costs a lot of money." This explains VW's delay in producing a pickup truck until now.
"At the end of the day, we are looking at a pickup. We wanted to get our SUV portfolio right. But for sure, definitely, the next focus for us will be a pickup." Any kind of schedule is, of course, still in the far future. Volkswagen has not yet committed to making a pickup, as Schafer has clearly explained, but the company is actively considering the idea and researching potential markets.
Source: MotorTrend