Volkswagen could offer its own version of the Ford Everest SUV – but as a full battery electric vehicle – as part of its deal with the Blue Oval.
Under the partnership, Ford took the lead on the development of the utes, with the second-generation Amarok based on the new Ranger that was designed and engineered in Australia.
But VW had previously ruled out offering its own version of the popular Everest large off-roader, saying it had little need for such a model in its line-up.
However, Volkswagen Commercial product manager Petr Sulc told Australian journalists that, despite the partnership agreement not initially including an SUV version of the Amarok, it could potentially work if both models had electric powertrains.
“This was not the scope of the previous negotiations, so it was really what we were telling them we are not interested in. Again, I can imagine that if we should approach for the battery electric vehicle, then it is [making] sense.”
Volkswagen has all but confirmed an electric version of the Amarok would come around 2025 as VW prepares for strict Euro 7 emissions regulations.
Mr Sulc said it made sense to offer more than one body style of the electric Amarok to ensure the company gets a decent return on investment.
“Because you … will not be able to fulfil the volume requirements to utilise the investment only with one type of the car. Because 80 per cent is similar, if you have a look at Everest and Ranger, the front side is the same, the platform is the same, so you have the better scale if you are having two areas.”
The Everest has been a success for Ford, with the Ranger-based large SUV sitting in second place in Ford’s Australian line-up by sales, and in fourth in the hotly contested sub-$70,000 large SUV segment.
A number of other manufacturers offer similar ute-based SUVs, like the D-Max-based Isuzu MU-X, the Triton-based Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and the HiLux-based Toyota Fortuner.
Mr Sulc said an electric ute and SUV pair would not compete internally with VW’s reborn Scout brand.
Volkswagen announced earlier this year that it would resurrect the long-dead Scout brand that will produce a large pick-up and SUV for the North American market, as rivals for things like the Rivian R1T and R1S.
While the Scout models will compete with larger pick-ups and SUVs like the Ford F150 and Expedition, the Amarok and its SUV twin will be a size smaller.
An electric Amarok-based SUV could be a unique proposition in Australia, with few manufacturers of ute-based SUVs committing to EV versions. Although Jeep is planning on launching off-road capable models in the form of the Recon, and possibly, an electric Wrangler.
VW and Ford have a partnership to build commercial vehicles for each other, with Ford taking the lead on the Ranger and Amarok twins, and the Transit Custom and Transporter.
VW takes the lead on the smaller Caddy and Tourneo, and it will spin off a Ford-badged small SUV from its MEB electric vehicle architecture.
Keyword: An electric Volkswagen Amarok-based SUV? Watch out Rivian because it just might happen!