Volkswagen Confirms Third‑Generation Amarok Will Include PHEV and BEV as Partner Talks Continue

Overview

• VW Commercial Vehicles confirmed on Tuesday that it will develop a third‑generation Amarok offering plug‑in hybrid and battery‑electric powertrains while it has not finalised which partner or platform will underpin the model.
• The current Ford T6.2‑based Amarok will stay in South African production as a diesel model with only light facelifts for the next three to four years and will not gain hybrid or electric variants.
• Volkswagen says talks with Ford to renew their pickup partnership are active but it is also assessing alternative suppliers, including Chinese operations such as SAIC/Maxus, for different regional sourcing options.
• VWCV built a one‑off seven‑seat ‘Amarok wagon’ prototype and retains interest in a ladder‑frame SUV/closed‑pickup, though executives say the concept was repeatedly blocked in the past because projected sales volumes could not justify development costs.
• Regulatory pressure and market shifts — notably Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and rising Chinese PHEV/BEV entrants — are driving the timetable and could change where and how VW sources the next Amarok, affecting local model lineups and dealer offerings.