The Baywatch jokes started as soon as Volkswagen revealed the Pickup Concept at the 62nd IAA Commercial Vehicles Show this past September. Decked out in rescue gear with press shots taken on a beach, it was unavoidable.
Apparently the VW marketing folks are keen to exploit this surf and rescue angle, perhaps because Baywatch star David Hasselhoff (aka the 'Hoffmeister' or 'The Hoff') is a pop icon in Germany, and have released this new Baywatch style dramatic video. Don't get your hopes up as there's no slow-mo running scenes here of beautiful lifeguards.
Drama aside, the Pickup Concept previews the full production model currently in development which is believed to carry the name Robust or possibly Taro. Volkswagen will begin production of the 1 ton truck in the fall of 2009 at its plant in Pachero Argentina with sales to begin soon after in the models key markets: South America, South Africa, Australia and Europe. There are no confirmations on when or if the pickup will make it to US shores, but surely that can't be too far round the corner.
