New Beetle Pickup

[UnBeetable69]

Beetle based pickup for U.S. market? | GlobalMotors.net

Last month Volkswagen introduced its Pickup Concept at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hanover, Germany. Rumored to be called Robust or Taro this pickup won't be sold in the states. VW will only sell the new truck in South America, South Africa, Australia and Europe.

According to Automotive News this doesn't mean that Americans won't be seeing the VW pickup. Rumor is that Volkswagen considers selling a new pickup in the U.S. that’s based on its upcoming second-generation New Beetle.

That would be something new. Europeans are getting a big one-ton pickup truck and Americans will get a small Beetle based pickup.
What would the beetle pickup look like? Four years ago German coachbuilder FargoFun created custom pickups based on the first-generation New Beetle. They featured a trunk in the tailgate and 1,000 pounds of load-carrying capacity in the cargo box. Cost of the conversion was around $10,000 which did not make it very popular.
Below we have images of the Beetle conversion done by FargoFun. If Robust is a one-ton pickup then Beetle based pickup would most likely be a half ton and in the same category as Pontiac G8 ST.

[uwharrie]

Now how darn cute is that!
Not sure it would qualify as a Pickup ( at least not here in the South) but it is appealing in its own way!

[MAC]

Old...really old this was an experiment, not made by VW but its really nice

[hestersu]

Originally Posted by MAC

Old...really old this was an experiment, not made by VW but its really nice

And never going to be made by VW. The article referenced above is from the fall of 2008 and was really referencing a different pickup that VW was doing a concept design on. That pickup looked more like a Chevy Colorado or Avalanche.

The Beetle pickup is incredibly old and was a custom conversion. Those pictures have been around for over 7 years - maybe longer.

[MichelleRoze]

i kinda like it! But I noticed the tail gate has two license plates. One for when its up and one for when it's down....hmmm

[Chaz1138]

Too cool! I will have to show this to m redneck brother. He'll laugh his arse off!

[gt4494]

Wouldn't sell in the South. No room for a Gun Rack...

[Chaz1138]

Originally Posted by gt4494

Wouldn't sell in the South. No room for a Gun Rack...

Actually ... what about on the outside of the back window ... ???

[Lov3Bug]

I LOVE this! I'll take two please

[Bandi]

I'd love to find an NB that's been rear-ended and make a sedan delivery out of it (like a PT cruiser with no back windows. And no Chrysler problems)

[UnBeetable69]

Originally Posted by Bandi

I'd love to find an NB that's been rear-ended and make a sedan delivery out of it (like a PT cruiser with no back windows. And no Chrysler problems)

like the old type 3 panel van

[2k2tdi]

Actual new VW pick-up but not for the US.

Officially Official: Volkswagen Amarok pickup makes the scene; Autoblog

[Chaz1138]

Originally Posted by 2k2tdi

Actual new VW pick-up but not for the US.

Officially Official: Volkswagen Amarok pickup makes the scene; Autoblog

*droolz*.

I would so love to drive up to my brother's house in one of these ...

Why not sell these in the States? They must have some kind of trade agreement with Ford or Chrysler, because you don't see either company making a car that can compete with the Jetta, Golf or Bug.

[FarrisK]

Originally Posted by Chaz1138

*droolz*.

I would so love to drive up to my brother's house in one of these ...

Why not sell these in the States? They must have some kind of trade agreement with Ford or Chrysler, because you don't see either company making a car that can compete with the Jetta, Golf or Bug.

It has to do with crash standards, emissions, and the fact that VW thinks there is no desire here for a "trucklet." The last true small truck is the Ranger, and it's on its last legs.

Re: Competition, what about the Taurus, Fiesta and PT Loser?

[70autostick]

I'm sold soooper! I've been awaiting very patiently for vw to put out another pickup.For those who may be interested,I've recently restored a 1967 VW single cab,I've got some pics in my album.

[ClassicGMJunkie]

looks like VW's answer to the Holden UTE market in Oz... i'd rock it! but make it large enough to put lots of aircooled parts in the back from a swap meet score....