Volkswagen is reportedly working on a Volkswagen Pickup Truck designed for American buyers, marking what could become the company’s biggest expansion into the U.S. truck market in decades.
Reuters reports that the new pickup is expected to arrive before the end of the decade and would be assembled at Volkswagen’s manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen has not confirmed the project, and a company spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.
The reported Volkswagen Pickup Truck would not simply bring the Amarok to American dealerships. Reuters says Volkswagen is planning a separate pickup for the U.S. market, while the Amarok will continue serving customers in Europe, Australia and other international markets.
The report comes as Volkswagen reshapes its global vehicle lineup. The automaker recently announced plans to reduce the number of models it sells worldwide, but Reuters says the Volkswagen Pickup Truck remains part of its North American product plans despite that broader strategy.
Chattanooga Reportedly Chosen for Production
Reuters says Volkswagen plans to build the Volkswagen Pickup Truck at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, facility. The factory already produces vehicles for North American customers and would add the pickup if the reported project moves forward.
Volkswagen has not announced a production schedule, investment plans or annual output for the truck. The company has also not disclosed when it expects manufacturing to begin.
Platform Details Have Not Been Disclosed
Reuters did not identify the platform planned for the Volkswagen Pickup Truck.
Volkswagen already has experience building pickups with Ford. The Amarok sold outside North America shares its basic architecture with the Ford Ranger through an existing partnership between the two companies. Reuters did not report whether the planned Volkswagen Pickup Truck will use a similar arrangement, and neither Volkswagen nor Ford has commented on that possibility.
Volkswagen has also not released information about engine choices, drivetrain options, towing capacity, payload ratings, battery plans, pricing or trim levels. Those details are expected to remain unknown until the company formally announces the project.
Volkswagen Sales Recover After a Slow Start to 2026
The Reuters report arrives as Volkswagen’s U.S. business shows mixed sales results.
According to Reuters, Volkswagen’s total U.S. sales fell 13 percent between 2024 and 2025. The company also opened 2026 with a difficult first quarter, recording a 16.1 percent year-over-year decline.
Sales improved during the second quarter. Volkswagen reported a 24.9 percent increase compared with the same period last year, allowing the automaker to finish the first half of 2026 with an overall sales gain of 2.3 percent.
Reuters also says Volkswagen’s share of the U.S. vehicle market stands at about 4 percent, highlighting the company’s relatively small position compared with larger domestic and Japanese rivals.
Key Numbers Behind Volkswagen’s U.S. Pickup Plan
| Market Fact | Latest Data |
|---|---|
| Pickup trucks’ share of U.S. light-vehicle sales | Nearly 20% |
| Average transaction price of full-size pickups | Nearly $70,000 |
| Volkswagen U.S. market share | 4% |
| Volkswagen U.S. sales (2024–2025) | Down 13% |
| Volkswagen U.S. sales (Q1 2026) | Down 16.1% YoY |
| Volkswagen U.S. sales (Q2 2026) | Up 24.9% YoY |
| Volkswagen U.S. sales (First Half 2026) | Up 2.3% YoY |
| Planned production location | Chattanooga, Tennessee (reported) |
| Expected arrival | Before the end of the decade (reported) |
Reuters Reports Leadership Change in North America
The Reuters report also says Volkswagen is preparing a leadership change for its North American operations.
According to the report, Marco Schubert will become Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Group of America and Volkswagen Brand North America. He is expected to replace Kjell Gruner, who has led Volkswagen’s North American business since December 2024.
Schubert has spent more than 30 years in the automotive industry and more than two decades with Audi. Before the reported appointment, he served as Audi’s board member responsible for sales and marketing.
Volkswagen has not announced the leadership change and declined to comment when Reuters requested a response.
Volkswagen Declines to Comment
Volkswagen has not confirmed the reported Volkswagen Pickup Truck or released any information about its platform, powertrain, dimensions, pricing or launch schedule. Reuters also did not identify whether the truck will use a new architecture or share components with another vehicle.
Reuters separately reports that Marco Schubert is expected to succeed Kjell Gruner as Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Group of America and Volkswagen Brand North America. Schubert most recently served on Audi’s management board with responsibility for sales and marketing.
Volkswagen declined to comment on both the reported Volkswagen Pickup Truck project and the reported leadership changes when contacted by Reuters.
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