Volkswagen brought the Tarok pickup truck concept to the 2019 New York Auto Show before its production debut in South America saying that it has no plans to sell it in the U.S. However, Volkswagen of America CEO Scott Keogh says that the Tarok would make sense in North America with "an extremely smart price point."

The Volkswagen Tarok doesn't have much of a business case now

Smaller than the Amarok, which also isn't available in the U.S., the Tarok is a compact truck that looks a lot like an SUV with a small bed and a sporty roof. But despite the smaller-than-usual bed, it has an innovative interior that allows items to be stored under the second-row seats through a panel wall that separates the bed from the passenger compartment. It also has a small-displacement four-cylinder engine and limited off-road capability. Given the current market trends, the Tarok wouldn't make much sense in the U.S., despite the fact that it would compete on its own in a new niche. But Scott Keogh thinks that it might actually stand a chance with the proper strategy.

The key lies in the MQB platform and an affordable sticker

Keogh says that although the U.S. truck market is tough to break in because of popular choices from Ford, Chevrolet, Ram, and Toyota, there is an opportunity in the lower-priced region. "I do see an opportunity where these trucks have all moved into the $50,000s and the $60,000s and beyond. And that is the price of an expensive luxury car. I think there’s an opportunity and I think can come in with an extremely smart price point," he said according to Motor1. Keogh added that a vehicle like the Tarok would be successful in a "marketplace in the mid-$20,000, with proper engine, proper everything."

With compact trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma priced between $21,300 to $25,700, a mid-$20,000 Volkswagen would make sense. However, because the Tarok is a bit smaller, Volkswagen needs to find other ways to make it appealing.

And this is where the MQB platform comes. Used in a wide variety of vehicles, the MQB platform is very flexible, and it can be paired to a wide range of engines. "We could get upwards of 250 or 300 horsepower if we wanted to do it," Keogh added.

Engine

1.4-liter four-cylinder

Horsepower

147 HP

Transmission

6-speed automatic

Drivetrain

4Motion all-wheel-drive

Payload

2,271 Lbs


Is Volkswagen bringing it to the U.S.?

Although it's scheduled to go on sale in South America by the end of 2019, the Tarok isn't coming to the U.S. anytime soon. Volkswagen isn't ready to make this step yet, and it will probably take another couple of years before a decision will be made. And if a U.S.-spec truck is greenlighted, it might be a different vehicle with a different nameplate. But only time will tell.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Tarok Concept.

Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Pickup.

Read our full review on the 2018 Volkswagen Amarok.