Maybe you haven't heard, but Volkswagen is planning world domination by 2018, at least in terms of sales. Part of that plan involves selling trucks in "the Americas."

The Volkswagen Amarok is the company's latest entry into the small pickup segment. Although it may look like a chopped up Touareg, the Amarok uses a much simpler body-on-frame platform with leaf springs in back. A 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel that delivers 295 pound feet of torque will be the initial engine while a smaller diesel will arrive in late 2010.

Sound good to you? Well, don't get too excited yet as the Amarok is only destined for Central and South USA right now. That said, we've heard Volkswagen is seriously considering a run at the U.S. market and has engineered the Amarok to meet U.S. standards. Then again, the chicken tax would force them to either build the truck in the U.S. or go through some sort of knock-down process to skirt the issue. Should be interesting to see if Volkswagen thinks it's worth the effort.