Volkswagen’s Potential Rival to Ford Maverick: Introducing the Udara?

Ford Maverick Competitor Name Revealed in Trademark Filing

A recent report by CarBuzz indicates that Volkswagen may be planning to release a new pickup truck, as evidenced by a recently filed trademark application. The renowned German car manufacturer has sought to secure the rights to the name “Udara” from the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), potentially signaling the arrival of a fresh addition to their lineup.

Although there is currently no additional information available aside from the official filing, various indications suggest that it will indeed be a small pickup truck resembling the Tarok concept shown below. Volkswagen Brazil has allegedly been working on a compact truck known as the VW247, but according to Brazilian publications like Automotive Now, it is also referred to as the Udara project.

According to reports, the Udara is larger than the Saveiro, another compact truck produced by Volkswagen Brazil. This leads us to believe that the new arrival will be comparable in size to the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.

Volkswagen has remained silent about the Udara, or any diminutive truck for that matter, but it is likely to thrive in the South American market. If VW can nail down the cost, a compact pickup has the opportunity to excel in the USA too. The success of the Ford Maverick hybrid serves as evidence, as the undersized vehicle continues to generate impressive sales numbers on a monthly basis.

While Volkswagen may not be known for producing trucks in the United States, they have found success with their Amarok midsize pickup in other parts of the world. This model is now built upon the platform of Ford’s Ranger. Despite this success, Volkswagen has yet to release a pickup truck in the US market. However, there are plans for VW-owned Scout Motors to introduce their own Scout Pickup in 2026.

Volkswagen may have its sights set on dominating the highly profitable truck market, and beginning with the compact category would be a strategic move. This sector is still in its early stages, with only two competitors currently present but numerous others poised to enter. Reports suggest that Ram has plans for their own offering, known as the Rampage, while whispers persist about a potential Toyota Stout revival.

It has been rumored that the Udara will utilize the MQB A0 platform, which also serves as the foundation for various compact vehicles within the VW Group, such as the Volkswagen T-Cross, Polo, Virtus, and Audi A1. This indicates that the upcoming Udara will likely have a smaller size compared to the Tarok concept.

The production of the new VW truck designed for babies is anticipated to commence within the next three years, with a scheduled debut in 2026. The initial release will feature standard models powered by internal combustion engines, while the hybrid versions will be introduced at a later date.