Who manufactures Amarok?
The Amarok is manufactured by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, a division of the Volkswagen Group.
Introduced in 2010 as a midsize pickup, the Amarok was developed for global markets through a collaboration between Volkswagen and Ford. Production has historically been concentrated at VW facilities serving Latin America and Africa, notably in Argentina and South Africa, to meet regional demand. The current generation remains under VWCV’s oversight, reflecting the model’s role in Volkswagen’s commercial-vehicle lineup.
Production footprint
Below are the key facts about who makes the Amarok and where it is built.
Primary production locations
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV), a division of the Volkswagen Group.
- Development partnership: Ford collaborated on the original midsize pickup program during Amarok’s early development and planning.
- Primary production sites: Historically produced at Volkswagen facilities in Argentina (Pacheco) and South Africa (Uitenhage/Kariega) to serve regional markets.
- Current status: The Amarok is produced by VWCV for global markets; Ford’s direct assembly role on the Amarok has varied over time as the partnership evolved, with VWCV retaining control of production.
These points summarize who manufactures the Amarok and where its production has taken place across generations.
Summary
The Amarok is manufactured by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, part of the Volkswagen Group. Its production has historically occurred in Argentina and South Africa, and the model originated from a development collaboration with Ford.
Are Ford Ranger and Amarok the same?
Yes, the current generation Volkswagen Amarok is built on the same platform as the Ford Ranger and they are mechanically very similar. They share engines, chassis, and other key components, and are produced in the same factory in South Africa. The main differences are in the styling, interior design, and brand-specific features.
This video compares the exterior differences between the Ford Ranger and the Volkswagen Amarok: 58sCarSauceYouTube · Jun 18, 2023
- Mechanicals: The Amarok uses the same engines, drivelines, and chassis as the Ranger.
- Manufacturing: Both vehicles are built on the same production line in the same Ford factory in South Africa.
- Design: Volkswagen and Ford designers worked separately to create different body panels and styling cues to make each model unique to its brand. The interior also has distinct dashboards and steering wheels.
- Features: While both have similar technology, some features can differ between trim levels. For example, the surround view camera is only available on V6 Amaroks, but it can also be found on certain Ranger trims.
Why is the Amarok not sold in the US?
But VW has also cited the "chicken tax," a 25% tariff on imported light trucks that dates back to 1963, as a reason for keeping pickups out of the states. That extra cost would undoubtedly make any VW pickup, like the Amarok, which is similar to the Ford Ranger, a tough sell for American buyers.
What is better, Hilux or Amarok?
If you want a cabin that feels more like it belongs in an upmarket SUV, you'll want to go for the Amarok over the Hilux. But there is no getting away from the fact that the Hilux is designed to be a tool to help you through the workday, and the interior reflects that. It's not dated, but it is full of plastic.
Does the Amarok use a Ford engine?
Above this, a twin-turbocharged version of the same engine increases power to 202 horses and gets a 10-speed automatic transmission as standard. At the top of the range is a 237-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 diesel, which is actually the venerable JLR/Ford/Peugeot engine that powered the last-gen Range Rover Td6.
