The Australian market is dominated by Toyota's HiLux, Nissan's Navara and Mitsubishi's Triton.

At the Melbourne International Motor Show, Volkswagen announced a European contender and displayed a concept vehicle, named the Pickup.

This will be the inspiration for a production model that will be released in Australia.

It's destined to break new ground as to date the Europeans have shied away from the one-tonne ute market.

Yet, its a segment with world-wide appeal and VW sees South East Asia, South America, particularly Brazil, Africa and Australia as growth markets.

Dual cab utes have been in fashion with tradies down-under for the past two decades.

World-wide sales projections for the new Pickup amount to around 100,000 units per year.

“The Volkswagen Pickup will certainly be a welcome and exciting fourth addition to our expanding range of light commercial vehicles,” said Phil Clark, Director of Volkswagen

Group Australia Commercial Vehicles.

“Being the only premium European offering a product in the 1 tonne segment is a great opportunity for Volkswagen.

“I believe the Pickup will be one of the best selling models in the Volkswagen line-up.”

The pickup started life as a concept aimed at Search and Rescue services and has since be redefined as a general utility and powered by high-torque, fuel efficient common rail diesel engines.