Image from WorldCarFans.
Update : The Robust have been officially given the name VW Amarok.
Volkswagen Australia revealed that VW is seeking Australia's input for its 2010 pick-up truck. The project is known internally as RPU, short for Robust Pick Up. Set to launch of late 2009, the Robust is set to compete directly against segment leader Toyota Hilux.
Argentina has been targetted as one of the production hubs and the vehicle will be exported to USA, South Africa, Asia-Ocenia region.
Just as the Hilux has spawned an SUV, the Fortuner, the VW Robust is also expected to spawn a sub-Touareg class SUV known internally as Namib. In Thailand, the world's second largest pick-up market, there is a specific PPV regulation which taxes truck based SUVs less than passenger car based ones. Hopefully VW is developing the Namib with this in mind.
An Brazilian magazine (I think) published the renderings below on the Robust (some call it Taro II) and the Namib. It is unclear how reliable are these pictures so just take them on surface value.
Though this is VW's first truck developed with its own resources, this is not the first truck sold by VW. Between 1989 and 1996, VW had an agreement with Toyota to rebadge the Toyota Hilux as VW Taro. The deal was intended to allow VW to penetrate into the commercial truck segment while Toyota was seeking to enter the European market, which VW is very strong in but Toyota had very little presence in.
Related link :
VW Amarok teaser site launched
Hilux Facelift and 2010 VW Robust
Fortuner Facelift
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