Volkswagen mulls return to US pickup market after a 40-year absence

Volkswagen is exploring a return to the North American pickup-truck market as part of a broader strategy to tailor its lineup to regional demand. The automaker is considering body-on-frame pickups and SUVs, potentially including a midsize truck to compete with models such as the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon. Volkswagen’s reference to a “body-on-frame B-segment” has created uncertainty because B-segment typically describes subcompact vehicles, not truck-based pickups or SUVs, and the company has not clarified the terminology or provided product details. The move would mark Volkswagen’s return to U.S. pickups after the compact Rabbit-based truck was sold from 1979 to 1984, while the Amarok remains unavailable in the American market. The potential trucks and SUVs would complement Volkswagen’s existing cars, crossovers and electric vehicles and reflect its effort to compete more effectively in segments favored by North American buyers.