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Volkswagen Amarok and Its Axle of Discord

Please spot the irony in this information: Americans, who are known all over the world for their truck love, won’t get the new Volkswagen Amarok Pickup (at least not too soon) due to an insufficient predicted annual sales volume. Instead, the U.S. has engineered the rear axle for the vehicle, as this has been developed by the American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings.

The parts will assure traction for South American drivers, as this is the Amarok’s first market. So the Germans at VW seem to be misspelling F.U.B.U. (For Us By Us) as N.F.U.B.U. (Not For Us By Us) and imposing this to the Americans. It’s a tough market out there...

But let’s take a closer look at the axle of discord: it is a pretty smart bit of equipment, as it uses an electronic locking differential (ELD) and a chassis-mounted locking differential electronic control module. It features a new ring gear diameter, axle housing and new generation wheel and bearings. The ELD allows the driver to quickly lock the vehicle’s differential for improved traction, while maintaining a decent weight.

"We are extremely pleased to be supplying this important new vehicle program which recognizes our capabilities in designing and manufacturing premier driveline and chassis systems for the global market," said David C. Dauch, American Axle & Manufacturing President and Chief Operating Officer . "This program expands AAM's product portfolio and supports our strategy of diversifying our customer base."

Don't worry though, the last straw has not been pulled, as the axle was only engineered in the U.S. - it is not produced in the country, but at the company's Araucaria plant in Brazil.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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