A VW electric truck might be a future possibility

KUALA LUMPUR: The electric vehicle segment is growing like anything. All automakers, be it mainstream or high-end, invest time and money on them, and VW is no different. The German automaker earlier announced its ambitious plan to introduce 79 pure electric models by 2029; most of them will ride on its MEB platform. However, with new players and growing competition, the EV landscape has been altered. In an interview with Autoblog, VW’s board member, Thomas Ulbrich, talked about the company’s future course of action in the EV segment.

In the said interview, Ulbrich noted that the company is impressed by Rivian’s effort to build an all-electric pickup. He said, “Step by step, our investigation and research makes us think it becomes more possible.”

The Amarok is the first name to pop in our heads when talking about an electric VW pickup; also, Ulbrich mentioned it in the interview. As per earlier reports, second-gen Amarok will share bits and pieces from the all-new Ranger and will be the first product coming out of the VW-Ford global alliance formed in January 2019. Currently, there are no plans to bring an all-electric Ranger. However, a plug-in hybrid Ranger model is a possibility in the future, and it will go with the Group’s strategy to offer 60 hybrids along with its EVs if the two share engines for the model.

Ulbrich, in his interview with Autoblog, said that the upcoming EVs would get an adapted version of the MEB platform. The said platform will give VW vast flexibility, as it is not only suitable for large D-segment vehicles but also upcoming stretched sedan heading to the Chinese market.

Other plans for the MEB platform include several cars that will slot below the ID.3, which is the smallest car to use the said platform. In the interview, Ulbrich said that VW plans to introduce one of these little cars by 2023-2024.

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