Next-Generation Volkswagen Amarok May Not Be Based On Ford Ranger

October 24, 2025 12:47 pm

The all-new 2023 Volkswagen Amarok debuted back in 2022 as that automaker's version of the Ford Ranger, with which it shares the Ford T6 platform, though both trucks do have their differences - most notably, exterior styling. This is one of several mashups that stemmed from a partnership agreement forged between the two automakers years ago, a thus-far successful effort to share resources and trim costs. Thus, it's somewhat surprising to learn that the next-generation Volkswagen Amarok may not continue to share mechanicals with the Ranger.

When asked about the current, second-generation Volkswagen Amarok at the Munich Motor Show, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles global CEO Stefan Mecha told Drive that the pickup has "another five years" left in its lifespan, adding that it's "too early to say" what its successor might look like. "I think we have a running project, and it's always good to talk to the partner that you work with," Mecha added.

"I wouldn't, let's say, put it in a hierarchy or prioritize this [or this], I think we look at all options available, but definitely we'll talk to Ford, because we are on good terms." As far as whether or not VW sells enough Amarok pickups to justify investing in a new, in-house replacement, the exec added "I think that's difficult. When we made the decision for the Amarok, definitely scale was one of the reasons. The Ranger is a very good product, so we put this together, the strengths that we have."

Mecha's predecessor, Carsten Intra, previously hinted that the automaker was deciding whether or not it wanted to continue to utilize the Ford Ranger as the basis for the third-generation Volkswagen Amarok, or develop its own unique model in-house. "As we have a good partnership with Ford, and we have a very strong company, we would look first of all in those two baskets before we go to someone else," Intra said, "so I doubt that we need someone else than Volkswagen [and] Ford, our … good partnership that we have."

As Ford Authority previously reported, Volkswagen has ditched plans to create an all-electric version of the current-generation Amarok, as well as a potential plug-in hybrid. Such things could very well arrive as part of the pickup's next generation, but as of now, it's unclear if that will happen.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.