Volkswagen Australia said supply of its new Amarok was “moderate” as it closely monitored demand of its first new-generation dual-cab in 12 years.
With supply issues befalling its engineering partner Ford and its dual-cab Ranger – leading to lengthy queues and blow-out wait times – the difference might be in that Volkswagen produces its Amarok in a South African factory, whereas Ford depends on Ranger production from Thailand.
Volkswagen is shooting for 8000 Amarok sales this year but is aiming for 10,000 in 2024 which would eclipse the previous model’s best year of 9290 units in 2018.
The new-generation Volkswagen Amarok is made in South Africa
This figure would also make Amarok not just the best-selling vehicle in the Volkswagen range, but in the entire Australian Volkswagen Group, which includes the likes of Audi, Skoda and Cupra.
“The outgoing Amarok is still performing strongly right at the end of its lifecycle,” Volkswagen Australia spokesperson Daniel DeGasperi told Chasing Cars.
“That says a lot about how much demand there is. After 12 years of sales we have a huge carpark of Amarok owners who will be keenly awaiting a new model.”
‘Moderate’ supply, three to six month wait for ‘build to order’
Volkswagen dealers across the country are receiving Amaroks, ensuring there is available supply and shorter wait times provided “you’re not fussy about colour or a particular option pack”, said DeGasperi.
Supply is expected to increase as the year goes on, and if demand exceeds around 8000-10,000 units, Volkswagen said there was no reason it couldn’t press for more supply.
Customers purchasing a build-to-order vehicle could expect to wait three to six months at this stage.
Wait times on build to order Amaroks are expected to be around three to six months
The previous Amarok was made in Argentina, but the new generation is assembled exclusively in Ford’s Silverton plant in South Africa, alongside the Ranger. Australian-delivered Rangers are sourced solely from Ford’s Rayon plant in Thailand.
“The downside is we do pay five percent duty because we don’t have a free-trade agreement with South Africa, but the upside is we can also get ships to Australia more frequently and more easily than the previous Amarok,” said DeGasperi.
“We can see ships leave South Africa and get to Perth within three weeks. It’s a really easy boatload over.”
Ranger pricing benefits from Thailand’s free trade agreement with Australia.
The top-spec Aventura and Panmericana grades are attracting most of the attention right now
Early customers opting for pricier grades
Volkswagen expects the $66,990 Style to eventually comprise 60 percent of Amarok sales, but initial orders are concentrating on pricier Panamericana and Aventura grades.
“People who have been eagerly awaiting Amarok, when you launch the first all-new model in 12 years the head versus heart decision goes firmly towards heart often and that’s why Panamerican and Aventura have been so strong,” said DeGasperi.
The new Amarok comes in five grades – base Core, Life, Style, Panamericana and top-spec Aventura – with three powertrain options, a 2.0-litre turbodiesel inline-4, a 2.3-litre petrol inline-4 and a turbodiesel 3.0-litre V6. Pricing ranges from $50,990 for the manual four-cylinder diesel Core to $79,990 V6 Aventura.
