Next Amarok to be based on Ford Ranger

[XJ Junkie]

“The Volkswagen Group and Ford are exploring a strategic alliance.
Since the Volkswagen Group and Ford announced plans to enter “a strategic alliance” back in June 2018, there has been plenty of speculation regarding the possibility that the next-generation versions of the Amarok and Ranger bakkies could share a platform.

Now a fresh report out of Europe suggests that VW is eager to save development costs on its second-generation Amarok by basing it on the Ranger, since the former is currently the only body-on-frame vehicle in the Wolfsburg-based automotive group’s line-up.

“Several” sources “familiar with the matter” told Automotive News Europe that Volkswagen was keen to base its next-gen Amarok on the Ranger platform, essentially following the lead set by Mercedes-Benz, which has built its X-Class on Nissan Navara underpinnings.

Thomas Sedran, the new CEO of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand, would not be drawn on the joint projects that the automakers had planned, but did tell Automotive News Europe that the alliance would see the two firms on equal footing.

“When we finalise this alliance, you can be assured it will be balanced. There is no junior, nor senior partner, but rather two companies at eye level that will closely co-operate with one another,” he said.

“There might be specific years where there will be a difference in production volumes, but in the sum total it is very balanced.”

“The product life cycles are a good match. We will build for them. They will build for us,” Sedran added.

Of course, a deal has yet to be officially signed, although Sedran is optimistic that it will happen before the end of 2018.

“We realised fairly quickly that it worked from a cultural perspective and there was the right chemistry with the main actors. At the end of the day, both sides need to sign, but I’m confident since it’s all been constructive and in a spirit of partnership.”

In August 2018, the head of Volkswagen Group Australia refused to rule out the possibility of the next Amarok and Ranger bakkies sharing architecture.”


http://www.carmag.co.za/news/next-gen-v ... er-report/

[Quack]

Gaan praat stront op ander forums![emoji12]


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[XJ Junkie]

I didn’t write that. Click on the link [emoji51]

[XJ Junkie]

But it does make sense.

[Mad Manny]

All the bit players need to collaborate to get decent volumes...

Fiat Fullback with Mitsubishi Triton

Nissan Navara with Merc Xerox and Renault Alaskan

Ford Ranger with VW Amarok.

[Quack]

But it does make sense.

Yes it does, now Amarok can get engine covers, fender covers, sticker covers, headlight covers, bonnet covers, fake mud, low profile tyres and the reliability of a mercury filled balloon!

And I can go back to real 4x4’s and swear at the inconvenience on a daily basis!


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[Quack]

All the bit players need to collaborate to get decent volumes...

Fiat Fullback with Mitsubishi Triton

Nissan Navara with Merc Xerox and Renault Alaskan

Ford Ranger with VW Amarok.



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Didn’t you mean small players? There is only one big player in the reliable bakkie market[emoji12]


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[XJ Junkie]

Look, VW wasn’t known for bakkies or 4x4’s. The Amarok was their first attempt & they naturally got a lot of things wrong.

McNissan was clever by using a platform from an established manufacturer, across 3 brands. This is what VW should have done in the first place.

Ford is the biggest bakkie maker in the world so it makes sense to use their expertise.

[Ginger]

All the bit players need to collaborate to get decent volumes...

Fiat Fullback with Mitsubishi Triton

Nissan Navara with Merc Xerox and Renault Alaskan

Ford Ranger with VW Amarok.



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You left out Mazda and Isuzu...

[Quack]

Look, VW wasn’t known for bakkies or 4x4’s. The Amarok was their first attempt & they naturally got a lot of things wrong.

McNissan was clever by using a platform from an established manufacturer, across 3 brands. This is what VW should have done in the first place.

Ford is the biggest bakkie maker in the world so it makes sense to use their expertise.

Ford America is the biggest bakkie maker in the world, now if VW collaborates with the Americans they have my vote[emoji12]


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[Johannes]

The new Ford Raptor , still to be released looks good ! Just had a good laugh at the bloke at Ford factory , when he said , have a look at our new tech rear suspension ? We now going to use coils instead of Leave springs . He asked me why i chuckled ?? Told him to go look at my 1992 Defender , it has coils front and rear ! He was clearly not amused !

But hey , the bakkie really looks good !!

[XJ Junkie]

Johannes, also Ssangyong did the coil springs in around 2007 & still do.

[Apocalypse]

The new Ford Raptor , still to be released looks good ! Just had a good laugh at the bloke at Ford factory , when he said , have a look at our new tech rear suspension ? We now going to use coils instead of Leave springs . He asked me why i chuckled ?? Told him to go look at my 1992 Defender , it has coils front and rear ! He was clearly not amused !

But hey , the bakkie really looks good !!

the Defender pick ups were released in 1985!but the Unimog was on coils long before that.

Interestingly - one of the reasons Merc, VW and BMW never really got a start in the small 4x4 market which flourished in the US and UK just after WW2 was that , being German war mongers, they were not permitted to develop or build 4x4s or anything that might possibly have a military application until sometime in the fifties.

The Mog was developed as an agricultural all rounder by another (new) company and only took on Merc's 3 pointed star at a later point.

[ThysleRoux]

Johannes, also Ssangyong did the coil springs in around 2007 & still do.

Chevy did rear coil springs on the C10 in the early 60's, combined with torsion bar IFS.

[Mad Manny]

So... within 10 years or so of fitting Coils bakkies disappear from the scene.
Interesting...