Volkswagen Weighs Pickup Truck Option for U.S. Market
Volkswagen is currently debating the introduction of a new pickup truck to its U.S. lineup, but the potential vehicle would need to share components with existing models and feature a unibody construction. According to Kjell Gruner, president and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America, the automaker is discussing the possibility as one of its growth options.
“That’s one of the growth options we are discussing,” Gruner said during a roundtable interview at the New York auto show. While no official decision has been made, the discussion is ongoing this year. Gruner emphasized the need to find synergies with other vehicles in the market from both platform and manufacturing perspectives to make the pickup truck viable.
If Volkswagen proceeds with an electric powertrain for its pickup truck, Gruner indicated that it would likely include a range-extender gas engine to recharge the battery on the go. “For a pickup truck, I think that’s what consumers would want,” he stated.
No Affordable EVs for U.S. Market
Contrary to Volkswagen’s plans for small, affordable EVs in Europe, Gruner confirmed that these models, including the ID.1 and ID.2, will not be imported to the U.S. market. “These products are too slow [for the U.S. market],” Gruner said, adding that importing them would result in a niche product that is too expensive for what it offers.
