VW's new small bakkie to be called 'Tukan'

Q: What is the Volkswagen Tukan, and where will it be built?

The Tukan is a new Brazilian-built bakkie scheduled for production in 2027. It will be a unibody model sized between the Saveiro and the Amarok, potentially based on the Tarok concept.

Q: Is the VW Tukan confirmed for the South African market?

No, there is currently no confirmation for a South African launch. The vehicle is being developed as a left-hand-drive model for Brazil and the costs of right-hand-drive conversion remain a major hurdle for local introduction.

Q: What is the status of the 'third model' and the small bakkie for the Kariega plant?

VW is focused on launching a new small SUV in 2027. While the bakkie derivative faced a setback due to platform changes in Brazil, VW is still investigating a half-tonne bakkie option that could eventually be produced at the Kariega plant if a strong enough business case is made.

Volkswagen in Brazil has released a teaser image of the German brand’s upcoming new bakkie, which will wear the “Tukan” nameplate in that market…

VW to call new Brazilian-built bakkie the “Tukan”
Production scheduled to start in Brazil in 2027
Teaser image show bakkie’s “Canary Yellow” paint

Back in mid-2024, Volkswagen announced a significant investment in its São José dos Pinhais factory in Brazil, finally confirming plans to build a “new pick-up” at the facility. Now the German firm has released a teaser image revealing that the new bakkie’s name will be “Tukan”.

The teaser image gives us a glimpse of part of the small bakkie, complete with “Canary Yellow” paint and a “Tukan” badge on the C-pillar. VW’s Brazilian division describes the upcoming model as “another vehicle 100% designed, planned and developed in Brazil”, confirming that production is scheduled to start in 2027.

Volkswagen Tarok concept — *The Tukan may well draw from the Tarok concept first revealed in 2018.*

From what we can tell, the Tukan will be larger than the long-in-the-tooth Saveiro half-tonne model but smaller than the one-tonne Amarok. We wouldn’t be surprised if the production model draws heavily on the Tarok concept that was revealed at the São Paulo International Motor Show way back in 2018. Still, it’s not yet clear whether the unibody Tukan will be offered in both single- and double-cab guise or only the latter.

Volkswagen says the Tukan name was “inspired by elements” of Brazil’s local fauna, including the toucan bird known for its striking appearance. Though VW has already applied to trademark the name in Brazil, the company has yet to file such an application here in South Africa, based on our searches. The model could, of course, wear a different badge in other markets.

*The teaser shows the “Tukan” nameplate on the bakkie’s C-pillar.*

So, will this bakkie ever be offered in Mzansi? Well, it’s perhaps too early to say, even though VW Brazil’s press material briefly mentions “export” opportunities to markets outside of that country. In addition, it’s likely the São José dos Pinhais factory will focus on left-hand-drive production to meet demand in that part of the world.

It’s more likely, then, that a localised version of the Tukan might be built in South Africa. As a reminder, in October 2024, Martina Biene, Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa, suggested to Cars.co.za that the planned SA-built small bakkie that was to be spun off the upcoming new Tengo crossover had hit something of a roadblock. Still, Biene didn’t rule out the possibility of eventually building some sort of bakkie at the Kariega plant, calling on South Africans to make their voices heard should they be keen to buy such a vehicle.

“We are looking for a car – and that can be a half-tonne bakkie and I need a lot of listeners to vote for it – that we can sell approximately 50 000 times per year in Africa. Then we’ve got the right car for Africa. If this is a half-tonne bakkie, please let me know – please send us your orders – then we know already how [many] we can sell and then it’s something we can progress,” she said.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Volkswagen Tukan and SA’s Small Bakkie

Q: What is the Volkswagen Tukan and where will it be built?

A: The Tukan is an upcoming small bakkie developed by Volkswagen’s Brazilian division. It is scheduled for production at the São José dos Pinhais factory in Brazil starting in 2027. Positioned between the half-tonne Saveiro and the one-tonne Amarok, it is expected to draw design inspiration from the 2018 Tarok concept.

Q: Is the VW Tukan confirmed for the South African market?

A: No. Currently, the Tukan is a left-hand-drive project for the South American market. Converting the model to right-hand drive for South Africa would require a significant investment that may not be justified by local sales volumes alone. VW Group Africa has not yet filed a trademark for the “Tukan” name locally.

Q: What is the status of the “third model” and the small bakkie for the Kariega plant?

A: Volkswagen South Africa is currently preparing its Kariega plant for a new small SUV (called “Tengo”), which is set to begin production in 2027. While a bakkie spin-off was initially considered, VW management has stated it hit a “roadblock” because the Brazilian plant (the lead plant for the platform) changed its development plans. However, the project is not dead; the brand is still looking for an affordable bakkie solution that can reach 50 000 units in annual sales across Africa.