Volkswagen has stepped back from its earlier plans to introduce fully electric or plug-in hybrid versions of the global-spec Amarok, choosing instead to stick with its familiar lineup of diesel and gasoline powertrains for now. The decision keeps the pickup rooted in its traditional formula, at least for this generation.

Unlike the South American Amarok, which still rides on Volkswagen’s own ladder-frame platform, the global model is built on the same underpinnings as the Ford Ranger.

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Ford’s pickup truck already offers a plug-in hybrid setup combining a turbocharged 2.3-liter gasoline engine with a single electric motor, producing 277 hp (207 kW / 281 PS). A modest 11.8 kWh battery enables around 40 km (25 miles) of electric-only driving.

Why Skip Electrification?

Earlier this year, reports suggested Volkswagen was seriously evaluating an electrified Amarok, especially given it already had access to the Ranger’s compatible hybrid system. Yet that interest appears to have faded.

According to Australian outlet CarExpert, Nathan Johnson, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ brand director, explained that CEO Stefan Mecha “made it clear … the PHEV and BEV Amarok is no longer being discussed at this point in time, in this generation,” emphasizing that it’s a global decision.

That doesn’t mean the idea is gone for good. Johnson hinted that the door remains open for the next Amarok, which could arrive near the end of the decade.

The current generation debuted in 2022, so a successor is still some years off, but by then electrification will likely be standard practice among midsize pickups, making a hybrid or electric version all but inevitable.

Another Hybrid Amarok Is Under Development

Volkswagen’s approach looks different in South America. There, the company continues to evolve the first-generation Amarok, which remains in production on VW’s original chassis. A refreshed version of that truck launched last year, and an all-new hybrid successor is already scheduled for 2027.

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The upcoming truck will ride on a ladder-frame chassis sourced from Chinese automaker SAIC, as part of its collaboration with Volkswagen. However, it will be manufactured at the General Pacheco factory in Argentina, backed by a $580 million investment.

Early teasers point to a close relationship with the Maxus Interstellar X, LDV Terron 9, and MGU9 pickup twins, though Volkswagen will apply its own design language to set it apart. The new hybrid Amarok will be limited to South American markets, sidestepping overlap with the global version.