The South African-made sixth-generation Ford Ranger and second-generation VW Amarok have been voted as the joint winners of the International Pick-up Awards (IPUA).

While both bakkies have won the accolade two times before – the Ranger in 2013 and 2020, and the Amarok in 2011 and 2018 – this time around the trophy was shared between the two brands and models, giving them both a hat-trick of IPUA victories.

This is also the first time two vehicles have shared the honour since the IPUA was established in 2010.

“Following the IPUA 2023 Group Tests, held in Greece last month, it was impossible to separate the two models from each other, as both the new Ranger and Amarok were co-developed and are made at the Ford factory in South Africa,” said Jarlath Sweeney, chairman of the IPUA jury.

“Although a collaboration project, each manufacturer has managed to maintain their unique styling and driving traits, which customers will testify.”