Volkswagen is turning to China for the South American spec next-generation Amarok bakkie after early statements confirmed that it will be partnering up with SAIC to build the model from 2027. 
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Volkswagen is set to launch a new generation of its Amarok bakkie by 2027. While this timeline might seem premature for the local market considering it only arrived in 2023, it seems that this model will be separate from South Africa’s and will be available exclusively in South America. Despite this, it signals a departure from the German automaker’s previous collaboration with Ford on the current Amarok model which shares its platform with the Ford Ranger. Most significantly, the auto giant Volkswagen is now partnering with Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC to develop this new iteration.
Related: 222 kW Volkswagen Amarok Is On Its Way to SA!
To facilitate this project, VW is investing $580 million (R11 billion) to upgrade its Pacheco plant in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. This facility has been producing the first-generation Amarok since 2010. The investment aims to modernize the plant’s operations and align the new Amarok with the specific needs of South American consumers.
While specific technical details are limited, reports suggest that the new Amarok may share components with SAIC’s Maxus Interstellar X – a model available in China with both diesel and electric powertrains. This collaboration could introduce a monocoque chassis design, differing from the traditional ladder-frame construction of previous Amarok models.
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The company will continue producing the current Amarok model in partnership with Ford at the Silverton plant in South Africa however Volkswagen’s decision to develop a region-specific replacement for the first generation alludes to the fact that it tailors its products for individual markets.
Since this announcement, digital renders have already emerged anticipating what the Chinese collaboration could look like in the metal. Using the Ranger-based Amarok as a foundation, the artist has used Volkswagen’s digital sketch to to demonstrate what the front fascia could look like. A proposed look at the interior has also been completed and it is expectedly centred around screens.
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