Volkswagen recently announced the development of a new small ute, but unfortunately, it is unlikely to make its way to Australian shores. The German automaker confirmed that a “new pick-up” is in the works at its factory in Brazil, with a significant investment of $AU830 million in the production facility.
This new ute, known as a ‘half-tonne Bakkie’, is set to replace the current Saveiro model that has been in production since 2008. While it is expected to be sold in South American and African markets, there is speculation that it may be badged as the Taroko based on new trademark filings by Volkswagen. The car maker’s naming convention, which favors models starting with ‘T’, aligns with this potential name choice.
Although the upcoming ute will likely only be produced in left-hand-drive, there is a glimmer of hope for a right-hand-drive version in the future. Volkswagen’s South Africa Managing Director hinted at the possibility of manufacturing a right-hand-drive half-tonne ute in that market. However, there are no plans to convert a left-hand-drive model manufactured in Brazil for the Australian market.
Despite the potential for a right-hand-drive version, Volkswagen Australia has stated that the small ute is not currently being considered for the local market. The company’s focus remains on other models, and there are no immediate plans to introduce the new ute to Australian showrooms.
In conclusion, while Volkswagen is expanding its lineup with a new small ute, Australian customers will have to wait to see if a right-hand-drive version will become available in the future. For now, the focus remains on the South American and African markets for the upcoming ‘half-tonne Bakkie.’