The Volkswagen Taro 1 tonne pickup truck was introduced in January 1989 by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to complement the half tonne Caddy pickup / panel van ranges, and the 1 tonne Transporter van and chassis cab ranges. The name "tarō" is a suffix used in Japanese to denote the oldest brother or son, or the first-born son of a family. The Taro was a project of badge engineering. The Taro was a rebadged fifth generation Toyota Hilux, which was fully engineered and designed by Toyota. The two companies came together in an effort to solve each other's problems:

History

In the late 1980s, Volkswagen Group and Toyota signed an agreement that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles would assemble the Toyota Hilux at its VWCV factory in Hanover, Germany, and it would be sold under the Volkswagen Taro moniker. The first Taros manufactured in Hanover, Germany, from 1989-1994 had a 2.4-litre diesel engine with 61 kW, torque was 165 Nm at 2,400 rpm, with loading space of 3.4 m2 and a 1125 kg payload. The Hanover plant only built the Taro with two-wheel drive and a regular cab, although the "Volkswagen Taro" name was used for other versions imported from Japan in some European markets. In September 1994 at the IAA Nutfahrzeuge (Commercial Vehicle Fair) in Hanover, Germany, Volkswagen released the four-wheel drive version of the Taro which had an extended cabin. The 4x4 Extended Cab Taro was manufactured in Toyota's Tahara plant in Japan, but now the Taro had an updated 2.4-litre diesel engine which produced 58 kW at 4,000 rpm and torque of 163 Nm at 2,400 rpm. The 4x4 Taro had a 2.9 m2 loading space and 815 kg payload, but could tow 750 kg without brakes, and 2100 kg with brakes. The joint venture ended in 1997, due to sales failing to meet either car marque's expectations.

Specifications

Specifications Source

Successor

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles division sells the Volkswagen Amarok pick-up, which competes against the Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux. The Amarok is available in single and double cab versions, as well as the option of 2WD or 4WD and high torque diesels.