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Spy Shots: 2010 Volkswagen Robust pickup

Spy Shots: 2010 Volkswagen Robust pickup

Kenneth Hall July 7th, 2008 Kenneth Hall By Kenneth Hall Author July 7th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 In its quest to overtake Toyota in the sales race, especially in the lucrative U.S. market, Volkswagen is developing a new pickup truck to expand its line-up. These latest spy shots, depicting the new pickup, shows that VW will be targeting the midsize truck market. This particular variant features a short tray and quad-cab chassis. VW is keen to strengthen its image in the U.S., where sales of pickups are still high compared to the rest of the world. However, VW’s plan may be a little late as rising fuel prices and a slowing economy has seen the pickup truck market fall dramatically over the past quarter. The carmaker has now reportedly killed its U.S. and European plans for the upcoming pickup. To overcome this, the new model will likely be sold in global markets and to keep costs down production will be handled at a plant in Argentina. A premium version will also be launched although it will be sourced from a plant in Germany. VW is yet to even confirm the development of a pickup, let alone a new name for the vehicle, but most sources claim it will be called the Robust when it goes on sale next year. New Volkswagen Robust spy shots July 2008Volkswagen Robust pickup spy shots2010 Volkswagen Robust pickup spy shots
Spy Shots: 2010 Volkswagen Robust pickup

Spy Shots: 2010 Volkswagen Robust pickup

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In its quest to overtake Toyota in the sales race, especially in the lucrative U.S. market, Volkswagen is developing a new pickup truck to expand its line-up. These latest spy shots, depicting the new pickup, shows that VW will be targeting the midsize truck market. This particular variant features a short tray and quad-cab chassis.

VW is keen to strengthen its image in the U.S., where sales of pickups are still high compared to the rest of the world. However, VW’s plan may be a little late as rising fuel prices and a slowing economy has seen the pickup truck market fall dramatically over the past quarter. The carmaker has now reportedly killed its U.S. and European plans for the upcoming pickup.

To overcome this, the new model will likely be sold in global markets and to keep costs down production will be handled at a plant in Argentina. A premium version will also be launched although it will be sourced from a plant in Germany. VW is yet to even confirm the development of a pickup, let alone a new name for the vehicle, but most sources claim it will be called the Robust when it goes on sale next year.

New Volkswagen Robust spy shots July 2008
Volkswagen Robust pickup spy shots
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2010 Volkswagen Robust pickup spy shots
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Tags: Spy Shots

Posted in: Volkswagen, Spy Shots


Comments (15 total)

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  1. By Turkle #1, Posted: 5/28/2008

    Here in the U.S. instead of people calling this a "V-Dub", it will quickly be called the "V-Dud!" Even before we started stating that we were in a fuel crisis, I simply would not expect a truck from VW. When I think of this company I do not, in any remote way, think of a truck. I thought it was product suicide for them to sell a mini-van. This notion that a truck from VW will sell in the U.S. is sad.

  2. By Gus #2, Posted: 5/28/2008

    I don't know, I think there is still a good demand for mid size trucks, but usually the people buying them are contractors, etc.
    I think it will be a quality product, but you might be right, it might be a tough sell to get people to think of VW when thinking of something like this.

  3. By Rafel #3, Posted: 5/28/2008

    Maybe is a product for Mercosur(Argentina, Brasil,Uruguay,etc), not for USA or Europe.
    I think it'll be a cheap truck.

  4. By HECTOR #4, Posted: 5/28/2008

    Wouldn't it be easier for VW just to set fire to a huge pile of cash? Because that's what they're doing... I would have thought they'd look at the Honda Ridgeline and the Ford Sportract and learn the lesson.

    And yes Rafel, it'll be a cheap truck with VW prices. So not cheap at all.

  5. By NaBUru38 #5, Posted: 5/28/2008

    Rafel, am I mistaken or you are Uruguayan like myself?

  6. By Alan #6, Posted: 5/29/2008

    Don't think it's a good move at all with ever increasing petrol price. And the design of the side panel, with a line between cabin and tray doesn't look even remotely VWish. With Sirocco, Passat CC, Tourag and the failed Phaeton all trying to push the brand more up market, why would VW all of a sudden come out with a cheap truck to change that image? Not sure about USA, but i believe here in Australia, VW has sort of become slightly premium in it's image. Sort of better than your Honda, Toyota, but just below BMW, Audi

  7. By Jim #7, Posted: 5/29/2008

    The truck market is probably headed back to primarily utility buyers, those who need a truck for work or recreational purposes. What we may see over the next few years is an increase in pay load capacity in mid size trucks. For instance Toyota's Tacoma has a payload of approx. 1500#, while the equivalent Hilux, sold throughout the world has a payload of around 2200# with similar gas mileage.

    If this V-dub comes as a car masquerading as a truck it'll rot on the dealer lots.

  8. By Rafel #8, Posted: 5/29/2008

    Naburu, I'm spanish ;)

  9. By NaBUru38 #9, Posted: 5/31/2008

    I had thought so because you mentioned my country instead of larger, more populated ones. So thanks for considering us so important! :)

  10. By craigs #10, Posted: 6/19/2008

    I'm from South Africa and VW has had VW pick ups in SA since I was a little kid. They never sold as well as a Toyota truck but they were good sellers.

  11. By Renton #11, Posted: 7/7/2008

    Other websites had this truck listed as Not coming to the US or Europe now.

    anyone else hear this blurb?

  12. By Renton #12, Posted: 7/7/2008

    Oh....if I read TFA all the way through....

  13. By Sheldon #13, Posted: 7/17/2008

    Here's an interesting take on the VW Robust:

    http://smashgods.com/2008/07/07/vw-robust-this-really-is-your-fathers-automobile/

  14. By  Ethan Elms #14, Posted: 9/17/2009

    Do any of you really follow VW? To start, almost every article on this truck states that it won't be sold in the U.S. But even if it was, it would still end up being an awesome truck. The one in the pictures above is obviously totally basic, which is why it looks terrible, but the pictures that VW has released of it are great.
    http://www.thetorquereport.com/vw_truck_concept.jpg
    Somebody said that it might just end up being a truck based off of one of their cars but it definitely won't. They'll put their engineering from the Touareg and the Touareg 2 they used in the Dakar Rally, which is by far the most intense and challenging motorsport in the world. If they can manage to place 1st and 2nd in that then they'll surely make one kick-ass truck.
    As for the whole image issue, yes it would be difficult to sell their trucks here, but VW does have genius marketing strategies. For example, they put up a publicity stunt for the Touareg 2 where they pulled a 155-ton aircraft a few hundred yards with a TDI version. Let's see Dodge or GM muster up the courage to try towing anything remotely similar to that.
    http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/22/touareg-v10-tdi-tows-a-747/
    VW isn't about to make a disappointing product.

  15. By DIB #15, Posted: 11/4/2009

    Apparently no one on here has heard or seen a vw rabbit truck. They have been around since the early 80's. I think the new one will be quite successful.

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