Volkswagen considering Beetle-based pickup?
10-06-08, 04:04 PM
#1
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Volkswagen considering Beetle-based pickup?
Will The U.S. Get A Beetle-Based Pickup?
Posted: 10-05-08 23:39 PT
A truck that makes the Toyota A-BAT (which we like) look like a Super Duty? Automotive News is reporting on whispers about Volkswagen potentially selling a new pickup in the U.S. that’s based on its upcoming second-generation New Beetle.
A Beetle-derived hauler could play a role in Volkswagen's plan to boost annual vehicle sales in the U.S. to 1 million by 2018, up from about 230,000 last year. But such a move would likely disappoint American truck shoppers hoping for something more substantial from VW.
Volkswagen recently unveiled a rugged concept version of its all-new world pickup at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany. Rumored to be called "Robust," VW's first in-house designed, engineered and manufactured pickup isn't destined for our shores. VW will only sell the new work truck in South America, South Africa, Australia and Europe.
What might a Beetle pickup look like? Several years ago, German second-stage manufacturer CargoFun created custom pickups based on the first-generation New Beetle. They featured a trunk in the tailgate and 1,000 pounds of load-carrying capacity in the cargo box. Conversion costs were high, though -- upward of $10,000, which seemed to scuttle the market for such a truck.
Maybe someone at VW has a wicked sense of humor. VW officially says the midsize Robust will be a one-ton pickup. Perhaps if a Beetle-based truck arrives in the U.S., it will try to market it as a half-ton.
Posted: 10-05-08 23:39 PT
A truck that makes the Toyota A-BAT (which we like) look like a Super Duty? Automotive News is reporting on whispers about Volkswagen potentially selling a new pickup in the U.S. that’s based on its upcoming second-generation New Beetle.
A Beetle-derived hauler could play a role in Volkswagen's plan to boost annual vehicle sales in the U.S. to 1 million by 2018, up from about 230,000 last year. But such a move would likely disappoint American truck shoppers hoping for something more substantial from VW.
Volkswagen recently unveiled a rugged concept version of its all-new world pickup at the 2008 IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany. Rumored to be called "Robust," VW's first in-house designed, engineered and manufactured pickup isn't destined for our shores. VW will only sell the new work truck in South America, South Africa, Australia and Europe.
What might a Beetle pickup look like? Several years ago, German second-stage manufacturer CargoFun created custom pickups based on the first-generation New Beetle. They featured a trunk in the tailgate and 1,000 pounds of load-carrying capacity in the cargo box. Conversion costs were high, though -- upward of $10,000, which seemed to scuttle the market for such a truck.
Maybe someone at VW has a wicked sense of humor. VW officially says the midsize Robust will be a one-ton pickup. Perhaps if a Beetle-based truck arrives in the U.S., it will try to market it as a half-ton.
10-06-08, 05:48 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Interesting, but nothing new for VW. Decades ago, they sold 2-door pickups based on the old Rabbit/Golf platform (the new Beetle, of course, is also built off the current Rabbit/Golf/Jetta platform).
10-06-08, 06:39 PM
#3
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Now who remembers the Electric VW pick-up like this I saw one in the early 1980's in a parade. In the last few month's I did see something on this somewhere.
IMHO bring back the one from the 80's.
10-06-08, 07:21 PM
#4
Super Moderator
I know those little VW pickups very well. My cousin Carlos imported one to Mexico. They were known as the VW Caddy. I was helping him buy some pieces from the U.S. for a renovation project up until the point I left Mexico.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Caddy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Caddy
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