The New Crafter Van from VW, through a new purchsae scheme* comes with the 1st two services free.

• Customers placing orders for new Crafter will receive two inclusive services
• Offer is part Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ ‘Working with You’ promise
• Services guarantee workmanship from a qualified Van Centre technician
• Offer available on vehicles ordered by 2 July 2017 (registered by 30 September)

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is offering two complimentary services to customers who place orders on a new Crafter before 2 July and register it by 30 September 2017. 

Available on all 2017 Crafter models, whether acquired through hire purchase, lease purchase, contract hire or finance lease^, the offer has been launched to help customers to minimise vehicle costly downtime and maximise value. 

Designed to give Crafter customers an extra helping hand in the initial ownership period of their new vehicle, the added value offer includes both an interim and full service. 

The offer not only frees the new owners from routine servicing bills for the first part of the vehicle’s life, but also guarantees all work is carried out by a qualified Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles technician. 

The latest offer forms part of a wider portfolio of services available to businesses in helping with the scheduling and management of servicing and routine maintenance. Schemes such as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Financial Service’s Driveline, which is designed to benefit customers purchasing their fleet via contract hire or finance lease, offers a dedicated 24-hour phone line, available 365 days a year to provide instant help when you need it, whether for booking services, ordering new tyres, glass repairs or breakdown and recovery services. 

James Douglas, Head of Sales Operations at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “We believe this is a great offer for customers and a great way to introduce new Crafter to the market. It’s not only a good deal but also demonstrates, in concrete terms, our desire to work with them, in partnership, and add value to their vehicle operation.” 

Customers wishing to extend their servicing agreement can go on to buy services 3 and 4 for £349, which offers additional interim and a full service, plus an MOT* (mileage and restrictions apply). 

FLEET WORLD - Volkswagen is named manufacture of the year for its commercial side.

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles claims top Van Fleet World Honours award
• Brand is named Manufacturer of the Year in 2017 awards
• New services and initiatives aimed at fleets are key to success
• Crafter wins first UK awards: named ‘Best New Van’ and ‘Best Large Van’

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has taken home the triple crown from the 2017 Van Fleet World Honours, with the brand winning the ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ award and the new Crafter claiming the ‘Best New Van’ and ‘Best Large Van’ accolades.

Van Fleet World judges commended Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ work over the past 12 months, with a number of initiatives piloted by the brand now being adopted by the Van Centre network.

Commenting on the win, Dan Gilkes, editor of Van Fleet World, said: “Volkswagen has worked hard over a number of years to develop an outstanding Van Centre network that delivers a dedicated service to fleet and retail customers across the UK. However in the last 12 months the brand has piloted a number of initiatives that are now being adopted by the network, all aimed at improving service for fleet customers. It seems to be working too. 

Volkswagen is number two in the UK light commercial vehicle market with sales having doubled since 2009. More importantly, the company recorded record levels of customer satisfaction in 2016, making it a worthy winner of our Van Manufacturer of the Year Award.”

Initiatives introduced include head of business development support at every Van Centre, with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ensuring the needs of trade customers are being fully met through business experts employed at each location. An extended hours offer is also being rolled out across all Van Centres, along with Mobile Service Clinics.

The new Crafter also picked up two key awards – its first in the UK after being named International Van of the Year in September 2016. In awarding the Crafter its Best New Van and Best Large Van accolades, the Van Fleet World judges said: “It’s not often that a van manufacturer has the chance to create a new vehicle, not just from a clean sheet of paper, but with a completely new factory dedicated to its production. Volkswagen has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, to meet the needs of large van users in every sector.”

Praising its wide range of drivetrains, bodies, engines and driver assistance systems, Gilkes concluded: “Volkswagen had one chance to get new Crafter right and it seems to have hit the spot first time.”

Chris Black, head of fleet at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, collected the awards on behalf of the brand at the ceremony in London.  He said:  “We’re overjoyed to be named Manufacturer of the Year and for all of the brand’s hard work to be recognised. It’s also great for the all-new Crafter to have its first two UK awards, reinforcing the strength of the brand and quality of our products.”

The order books are now open for people to buy the Crafter van from Volkswagen.

• Prices announced for all-new large van; starting at £23,920 (basic RRP excl VAT)
• Order books open now, with UK debut at CV Show in April and deliveries in May
• Widest range of engines, drivetrains and sizes gives maximum flexibility
• Innovations on board bring real-world customer advantages and cost-saving

Prices have been announced for the all-new Volkswagen Crafter, with UK Van Centres able to take orders now ahead of the van’s official launch at the CV Show in April and first customer deliveries in May.

The all-new Crafter, International Van of the Year for 2017, was designed from the ground-up, following extensive research, to provide customers with the right van for their needs. 

A wide range, which includes different powertrains, drivetrains and capacities, offers maximum flexibility, while a suite of innovative technologies is available – not for technology’s sake, but to provide customers with solutions to real-world problems.

All new Crafter models are powered by a new 2.0-litre TDI (EU6) engine, developed specifically for commercial vehicles, which is available with four power outputs: 102, 122, 140 and 177 PS. 

The choice of engine depends on which drive system is selected. Customers can also choose between front, rear and all-wheel drive (4MOTION), as well as between a manual and automatic gearbox.

Up to three different vehicle lengths are available, depending on the model chosen: 5.9 m, 6.84 m or 7.39 m. Panel van variants also come with one of three different roof heights: 2.35 m, 2.59 m or 2.79 m.

Three trim levels are on offer – Startline, Trendline and Highline – bringing the Crafter into line with Volkswagen’s Caddy and Transporter ranges. Prices and highlights of each trim are shown below:

Panel van Startline from £23,920 (basic ex VAT)

• Startline, Trendline and Highline
• Cross-wind assist
• Driver alert system
• 180-degree opening rear wing doors
• Composition audio radio
• Bluetooth

Panel van Trendline from £25,270 (basic ex VAT) in addition to Startline

• Front assist including emergency braking system
• Cruise control with speed limiter
• Electrically heated and adjustable wing mirrors
• 270-degree opening rear wing doors
• Composition Media Radio with DAB+
• Multi-function steering wheel
• Comfort driver’s seat
• Wooden floor in load area
• Grab handles on rear entry pillars 

Panel van Highline from £29,220 (basic ex vat) in addition to Trendline

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Passenger airbag
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Heated windscreen
• Front fog lights with cornering function
• Comfort-plus driver’s seat

A wide range of options is also available including a number of driver and safety assistance systems such as side protection, rear traffic alert, park assist and trailer assist.

As, if not more, important as the product itself is the range of aftersales and customer support products and services which are being rolled out throughout the Van Centre network in preparation for launch. 

More details will follow, but examples include extended opening hours, telematics systems, preventative maintenance and bespoke service and maintenance plans.

Front-wheel drive manual panel vans are available to order now. Rear-wheel drive, 4MOTION and automatic transmission variants will follow during 2017, along with open-body models and factory-produced conversions.

Volkswagen celebrates it's commercial vehicle devision topping 50,000 registrations in the year.

• Record UK registrations for the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand
• Over 50,000* vehicles registered by the brand for the first time
• Market share up to over 12 per cent; brand retains number two position
• Substantial increase in Transporter and Caddy volumes

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles produced a fifth consecutive new UK sales record in 2016, registering over 45,000 new vans. 

The latest generation Transporter and Caddy model ranges saw significant sales increases, while the brand’s passenger carriers and campervan registrations took Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ total 2016 registrations to 50,068*, up nearly five per cent on 2015 (47,739). 

This result means the brand has more than doubled its volume since 2009.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also not only maintained but strengthened its number two position in the light commercial vehicles sector, recording a market share of 12.1 per cent.

The multi-award winning Transporter accounted for 22,872 registrations, up over 11 per cent on 2015 (50,533). 8,156 Caddys were registered, down 757 compared to 2016, though Caddy Maxi sales were up over 35 per cent to 6,377, giving total Caddy registrations of 14,533.

Both the Amarok and Crafter models saw small declines in sales as the brand prepares to relaunch the refreshed pick-up and all-new Crafter this year. (3,586 Amarok down from 3,908 in 2015; 7,137 Crafter down from 8,009 in 2015.)

Commenting on the brand’s performance, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Carl zu Dohna, said: ‘2016 was a really successful year for the brand, with the Transporter and Caddy consolidating their positions in the market after being launched in September 2015. I’m really proud of my team and the Van Centre network for achieving this result.’

He added: ‘I’m delighted that customers are getting to know our latest products and appreciating not only their inherent strengths, but also the after sales support and complete mobility packages which we have put around them. The support we give to our customers to help them choose the right vans and minimise in-life downtime, as well as adding value to our range of products remains extremely important to us.’

*SMMT data. Includes passenger carrying models registered as ‘cars’:

• Passenger carriers include: Caravelle, Transporter Shuttle, Caddy Life, Caddy Maxi Life and Caddy Maxi Camper.
• Transporter registrations include California.
• Registrations include LCV/HCV market up to 6.0T.

Volkswagen's new plant in Poland will produce the fourth generation Crafter van in 69 various styles, the best version yet.

• Greater payload and cargo capacity offer outstanding functionality
• Optimised dimensions for maximum everyday practicality
• Available with front, rear or 4MOTION all-wheel drive, with manual or automatic transmission
• 4 base models, 3 lengths, 3 heights - total of 69 derivatives
• Highly economical thanks to reduced fuel consumption and low maintenance and repair costs
• Cutting edge driver assistance systems for increased safety and comfort

Optimum benefits to meet customer-specific requirements from numerous commercial vehicle sectors: the new Crafter provides customer-focussed transport solutions with extreme economy.

With extra payload, greater cargo capacity, optimised external dimensions and a formidable multitude of drive systems and derivatives, the new Crafter impresses with exemplary functionality and provides practical everyday solutions for all transport requirements.

Robust, durable and reduced-consumption commercial vehicle engines, low maintenance and repair costs and well thought-out preparations for superstructure manufacturers provide optimum benefits and key functional and economic advantages for diverse customer groups.

A newly developed and finely tuned chassis along with innovative driver assistance systems provide a whole new level of comfort for this category of van. They also facilitate impressive handling and noticeably increased safety.

The completely new design concept featuring well thought-out interior storage options not only shows the Crafter's innovations visually; but in combination with further measures that optimise the aerodynamics also produce, at 0.33, the best drag coefficient in the Crafter's vehicle class.

Economical, functional, practical, reliable and eco-friendly - plus with innovative technology on board, safer and easier to drive than ever before: those are the characteristics that make a winning case for the new Crafter.

A new plant for the Crafter

State-of-the-art production at a new plant built especially for the Crafter in Wrzesnia, Poland

A new production facility has been built in Wrzesnia, Poland, especially for the new Crafter. The facility is the brand's second production site in Poland; the other is the Volkswagen plant in Poznan-Antoninek, which has been operating for more than 20 years now. The Crafter plant covers an area of approximately 540 acres, which is equivalent to around 300 football pitches. Up to 3,000

people will work at the Wrzesnia plant when the facility is operating at full capacity. Several supply companies will also open up factories in the area, which will create additional jobs for the surrounding region.

Volkswagen opens a brand new facility to produce the next generation Crafter Commercial Vehicle.

• Opening gala with 1,000 guests from politics, business, employee workforce, the Volkswagen Group and unions
• Around 3,000 employees will produce 100,000 vehicles annually
• Approx. 800 million euros invested in the new production site

Around 1,000 guests from politics and business as well as representatives from the workforce and unions – from Poland and Germany – met together with members of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Group and its brands to officially open the automotive plant that is dedicated to production of the new Crafter. Europe’s most advanced new factory of its kind was erected in a record time of just 23 months – from spade in the ground in November 2014 until start of production.

Andreas Renschler, CEO of Volkswagen Truck & Bus and member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG with responsibility for the business area of commercial vehicles, thanked everyone who participated in the construction project for their excellent cooperative work on behalf of the Volkswagen Group. He noted that this is what made it possible to build this new, significant automotive production site. Renschler gave special thanks to the employees: “Building the new plant in record time demonstrates the excellent team spirit of all of our employees at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles: clear goals, joint implementation and each individual taking on a high level of responsibility all led to the success of this ambitious project.”

Renschler underscored the importance of the new Crafter and the new plant for the strategic alignment of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles group: “Our re-development of the new Crafter and our newly constructed plant with an annual capacity of 100,000 units positions us better than ever in the growing market of large vans.” The new factory also signifies a new partnership in automotive manufacturing between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (Crafter) and MAN (TGE) – two brands within the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles group. 

Lower Saxony Minister President Stephan Weil took part in the opening as a member of the supervisory board. He was visibly impressed by the new factory and conveyed the best wishes from the government of the German state of Lower Saxony. “As you know, the automotive industry finds itself in a state of transformation. Everything that I have seen here makes me confident that this production site will be fit for the future,” said Weil. “I wish our employees much success in the tasks that await us in upcoming years.”

Dr Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, explained that the brand had confidently mastered a “dual challenge” – namely developing an excellent van while simultaneously building its advanced production site. “We are proud of the precise and on-schedule implementation of this project, and above all of the people who made it happen. They all made a personal contribution towards attaining this challenging goal. I offer my heartfelt thanks to them. This kind of commitment serves as a model for the future of our brand. Just a few weeks ago, the Crafter was named ‘International Van of the Year 2017’ by a renowned selection committee. This shows that we are on the right path with our vehicle and our factory. Now we need to turn our focus to the future, to the challenging production launch and other upcoming challenges.”

Jens Ocksen, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Poznań, explained that the new plant represents a combination of “excellently qualified and highly motivated employees with advanced, efficient and ergonomic production processes”. He also noted that the plant had become one of the largest construction sites in Europe. He said that he is proud of his team, who raced from milestone to milestone and delivered top quality. “None of this will change during the ramp-up of the plant either,” assured Ocksen. In addition to environmental considerations, social and cultural aspects were consistently and continually considered in the concept, construction, building equipment and production processes. “We have implemented many innovative solutions. The Września plant was built with an eye to the future - it features the latest technology while being environmentally efficient.” Just recently, it received an award from the German Sustainable Building Council for its new buildings, exemplary green areas, social amenities and production facilities.

Around 3,000 people are employed at the new plant. Many new jobs were also created in the vicinity of the plant by developing the supplier network and the service provider sector.

The Września production site is by far the largest foreign investment to date in Poland with a volume of 800 million euros for the construction and production facilities.

Data, figures and facts on the new plant in Września, Poland

Size of the plant:

220 hectares (2.2 km²), equivalent to around 300 soccer fields.

Planned production volume:

100,000 cars annually = 17 vehicles per hour = approx. 380 vehicles per day.

Vehicles: 69 Crafter derivatives. Cargo volumes up to 18.4 m3, maximum cargo compartment height of 2,196 mm. Vehicle length up to 7,391 mm, height up to 2,798 mm, max. gross weight: 5.5 metric tonnes.

Planned workforce:

Around 3,000 employees in a three-shift system.

Investment volume:

Around 800 million euros.

Suppliers:

45 suppliers from Poland (7 of them from the region) supply the plant.

Awards: The new Crafter was named “International Van of the Year 2017” by a renowned selection committee.

Figures and data on plant construction:

• During excavation, approx. 1,000,000 m³ of soil was moved with 50,000 trips by dump trucks.
• 22,000 metric tonnes of structural steel and 8,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel were used.
• 50,000 m³ of concrete was poured by 6,000 cement trucks.
• 4,000 foundation pilings were rammed 16 metres into the ground.
• 15,000 metres of utility pipe was laid in the plant.
• 19,000 training sessions were performed in the framework of occupational safety.
• In the ramp-up phase, approx. 3,500 (construction) workers were employed at the plant construction site in Września.
• The plant was erected in just 23 months, from groundbreaking in November 2014 until its opening on 24 October 2016.

Brief information on Września

Września is a city in the Wielkopolska region of Poland, around 50 kilometres east of Poznań. The first documented mention of a settlement at the location of modern Września comes from the year 1256 when it was known as Vresc. Area: 12.73 km2. Population: around 30,000.