The Mercedes X-Class isn’t the only pickup truck that’s getting the chop in 2020 – Volkswagen is also about to stop selling the Amarok in Europe.
First launched back in 2011, the Amarok is a popular pickup throughout this part of the world, and UK sales in 2019 were higher than they were in 2018 (3,839 versus 3,443).
Despite this, production will end in May 2020, and we won’t see another Volkswagen pickup on the market until 2022. Here’s why.
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When did VW discontinue the Amarok?
The announcement was actually made a while ago when Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles confirmed that the Hanover factory where the Amarok is built for Europe would be repurposed to build the ID Buzz electric van.
This requires some reorganisation of the plant – hence production of the Amarok is being halted well ahead of the predicted on-sale date for the ID Buzz, which is currently expect in 2021.
Why did VW discontinue the Amarok?
You can see the official reasoning above. However, it’s hard not to draw conclusions that the pending introduction of tough new emissions regulations in September 2020, which dictate what the CO2 average should be across van makers’ entire range of vehicles, might also have something to do with it.
As with all pickups, the Amarok produces a lot of CO2 emissions – something its powerful V6 engines do nothing to help.
The coming CO2 average target for light commercial vehicles is 147g/km; the very best the Amarok V6 can manage is 231g/km. You can see the problem here.
Cancelling it completely will make it much easier for VW to meet the target. The fines for not doing so are extremely high.
When does the Amarok go off sale?
Adding fuel to the fire, so to speak, although production stops in May 2020, the last day you will actually be able to register a new Amarok is 31 August 2020.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK says it plans to build up enough stock to satisfy demand right up until this point.
Depending on how well VW has judged this, there may be bargains to be had as the deadline approaches – but if you really want a new Amarok, we suggest it’s probably best if you don’t play chicken. As news of the end of production spreads, a surge in demand could also occur.
Is Amarok production ending globally?
No. Outside of Europe, Volkswagen will continue to produce the Amarok in Argentina. You won’t be able to buy one of these officially in the UK, though.
Will there be another VW Amarok?
There will, but not until 2022, and it won’t be built by Volkswagen.
Instead the second-generation Amarok will be based on the next Ford Ranger, becoming the first fruits of the strategic alliance between VW and Ford to cooperate on the design, development and production of light commercial vehicles.
We’ve got info on the new model, including the first official pictures, in our dedicated 2022 Volkswagen Amarok news story.
Also read:
>> 2022 VW Amarok – first official details
>> Mercedes X-Class officially discontinued
>> Ford discontinues Ranger 3.2
>> Volkswagen Amarok full review
>> Ford and VW form strategic alliance to build new vans and pickups
