Volkswagen Group of America CEO Scott Keogh said the automaker is “actively looking at developing” an all-electric truck in hopes of joining the several EV pickup models already on the market or in the coming years will come to market.
“It’s something we’re actively looking at, but there’s nothing to report right now,” Keogh said in an interview, according to Business Insider. “I think it’s the opportunity of a lifetime in this segment because electrification gives you a reset moment. It gives you the opportunity to bring some, say, alternatives and some new ideas to this great segment.”
Pickup trucks are among the most popular passenger vehicles in the North American market, and EV companies are aware of this. Ford’s F-150 Lightning, Tesla’s Cybertruck, Rivian’s R1T, and GM’s Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Hummer EV will be consumer options for years to come. With the F-150 Lightning slated to launch in just over a week, Rivian’s R1T and GMC’s Hummer EV available right now, and the Cybertruck and Silverado launching over the next year, there isn’t one Indicating that there will be a lack of choice.
However, there will always be more options, and Volkswagen is considering entering the pickup market because it needs to be competitive in just about every passenger sector imaginable. With the ID.3, Volkswagen has a competitive compact vehicle. Its brother, the ID.4, led global EV sales in the first quarter. It’s even revamping its microvan and launching the ID.BUZZ after the vehicle was unveiled earlier this month.
Electric van Volkswagen ID.Buzz celebrates world premiere (photos)
In terms of what consumers might traditionally want, Keogh said the new stream of electrified options could persuade pickup truck drivers to try other manufacturers. “I think earlier a buyer would say, ‘I buy F-150, I buy Ram, I buy Silverado.’ Now they might say, ‘I’m going to buy an electric one,'” he said. “This reset moment gives a competitive chance to come into the game, whether it’s Rivian or us.”
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Volkswagen says it is “actively looking” to develop an electric truck
