Volkswagen’s New Amarok Pickup Is Coming—But Only To South America

Volkswagen is about to roll out a new generation of its Amarok pickup—but before you start dreaming of one in your driveway, know this: it’s strictly for the South American market. The truck is set to make its debut in 2027, and while midsize pickups are getting popular worldwide, VW is sticking with a regional strategy for this workhorse.

So, what does that mean for North America? Well, thanks to the infamous Chicken Tax, you won’t be seeing this Amarok on U.S. roads anytime soon—unless, of course, Volkswagen suddenly decides to build it locally. But for now, it’s a no-go for the States.

This new Amarok will replace the current South American version, which first launched back in 2009 and has been refreshed a couple of times since, in 2016 and most recently in 2024. And while it shares a name with the global Amarok, don’t expect much crossover—this version will likely be nothing like the global model, which is built on the same platform as the Ford Ranger.

Volkswagen teased the new truck with a design sketch that has some serious concept car vibes. While it’s a bit exaggerated, it gives a glimpse into the truck’s direction. Key features include full-width LED headlights, a sculpted front bumper, a beefy hood, and squared-off fenders. The truck’s stance is aggressive, but it still feels like a midsize pickup. The black roof and shark-fin D-pillar? Total GMC Hummer EV vibes, but the rest of the design stays true to the segment.

As for what makes this truck special, Thomas Schäfer, VW’s CEO, said the new Amarok will be “developed, designed, and produced in South America, for South America.” That means the design and engineering teams will focus on local preferences, terrain, and specific use cases, rather than just slapping a global model into the region.

The new Amarok will likely stick with a ladder-frame chassis and an internal combustion engine. But according to Alexander Seitz, CEO of Volkswagen Latin America, this model will set new standards in performance, innovation, and sustainability. So, there’s probably something cool coming on that front.

Production will continue at VW’s Pacheco plant in Argentina, where the Amarok has been built for 15 years now. Over 770,000 units have already rolled off the line, and the factory is getting a huge $580 million upgrade to modernize its tech, boost digital systems, and improve energy efficiency.

In addition to this South American-focused model, Volkswagen is still working with Ford on the global Amarok, which is built at the Silverton plant in South Africa.

Schäfer added, “Regional growth and localization are important elements of our global plan for the future,” noting that VW’s position in South America is “strategically important.”

But that's not all. Along with the new Amarok, Volkswagen is gearing up to release nine new models in Europe by 2027, including production versions of the ID.2all and ID.Every1 electric concepts.