Volkswagen release pencil sketch of the sixth generation Transporter.

Ahead of its official world premiere on 15 April 2015, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has revealed a sketch of the sixth-generation Transporter.

When it made its public debut in 1950, few could have predicted the enormous impact the Transporter would have in revolutionising the commercial vehicle market, creating a timeless automotive icon in the process.

Whilst the Transporter has evolved dramatically during that time the philosophy and vision that created the original still holds true.

Getting the job done efficiently and reliably has been at the heart of the Volkswagen philosophy for the past 65 years. Its reputation for rugged reliability has endured over the decades to make the Volkswagen Transporter one of the world’s best-selling light commercial vehicles.

The sixth-generation Transporter will go on sale in the UK later this year.

Volkswagen Cleans up and commercial Vehicle awards ceremony.

• Transporter named ‘Best Crew Van’
• Amarok wins ‘Best Utility Pick-Up’ and ‘Best Double Cab’ awards
• Caddy awarded ‘Best Local Delivery Van’
• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presented with ‘Best Service Package for Van Owners’ and ‘BestFinance Package for Van Owners’ awards

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is celebrating a stunning trophy haul at the annual Business Van Awards. The brand swept the board on its way to collecting six out of 12 category awards.

Volkswagen scooped the manufacturer awards for Best Service Package and Best Finance Package. In addition, the brand also claimed Best Crew Van for Transporter, Best Local Delivery Van for Caddy, plus Best Utility Pick-Up and Best Double Cab for the Amarok.

Announcing the results before an industry audience, Business Vans’ editorial director, Ralph Morton, commented:

Best Crew Van – Transporter

‘It’s not just the Transporter panel van version that shines out for SME van operators, when it comes to carrying people to various jobs, the Kombi variant is a winner too.

‘But the real appeal of a Kombi is that it can be a tax-efficient dual use vehicle. For someone in the trades the Transporter Kombi is a brilliant, smart and professional-looking working van during the day, which can then double for family use at the weekends. It means you won’t need an additional car – the Kombi does it all.’

Best Local Delivery Van – Caddy

‘The VW Caddy is compact – just what you need for local delivery work – but this Volkswagen van also has a choice of payloads and 3.2m³ of load capacity and can take loads up to 1.78m. So it’s big on performance.

‘Add in the fact the Caddy is smart, has legendary VW build quality and reliability and carries the professional image that goes with the Volkswagen nameplate, and you have an excellent winner of our local delivery van category.’

Best Utility Pick-Up and Best Double Cab – Amarok

‘We do like a pick-up here at Business Vans and despite challenges from rivals, the Volkswagen Amarok remains top of the pile, whether it’s a do-it-all utility version you want or a more upmarket double cab.

‘Why does it remain our favourite? Outside it looks tough and on the road you feel like you’re ready for anything, the bed area is practical and spacious, yet inside it is comfortable with a car-like feel and comfy ride. Add in Volkswagen reliability and low running costs, and you can see why the Amarok remains king of the pick-ups.’

Best Service Package for Van Owners – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

‘The judges were impressed by Volkswagen’s service offering and the back-up provided by the brand’s dedicated Van Centre network, which features extended hours, fast emergency repairs and courtesy vehicles that are vital for busy small businesses.’

Best Finance Package – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

‘It’s not only the award-winning vans and pick-ups that are so right for small businesses, Volkswagen also supports its commercial vehicles with award winning finance. For those in the trades and other small businesses, Volkswagen offers the complete package. Why go anywhere else?’

Commenting on the awards success, Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, added: ‘To get such recognition demonstrates the strength of the brand and the quality of our products. This is another excellent result for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and proves that our vans make sense for small or large van buyers. 

‘Winning the best finance package and best service awards is particularly pleasing as it shows that our dedicated Van Centres are doing a great job of getting people on the road and keeping them moving!’

UK SALES - MERCEDES VANS - The Premium car company has record sales of vans in the UK last year.

Mercedes-Benz Vans registered over 35,000 vehicles in 2014 – the brands’ best-ever performance in the UK.

The fantastic achievement also marked an eighth consecutive record-breaking quarter, with an increase in registrations of 16.1% over 2013, which was also a record-breaking year.

Of the 35,036 Mercedes-Benz Vans registrations recorded in 2014, the brand increased sales over the previous year in every month, with the exception of September.

In terms of individual model performance across the year, Sprinter van registrations increased by 12%, with Citan up by an impressive 39%, and Sprinter Chassis Cab increased by a massive 50%. Vito, in its run out year, remained at the same level as 2013.

Service & Parts has experienced 8.9% growth in Van Customer Pay parts sales, as well as a 7% growth in Van customer pay labour sales through the Mercedes-Benz Commercial Dealer network.

These gains are directly related to an increase of nearly 4,000 Vans utilising Mercedes-Benz workshops for retail and R&M work, with service contract packages showing a penetration level of 27.5% across New and Used products.

The Service24h roadside assistance programme continues to deliver a class-leading roadside assistance average time of 58 minutes and roadside repair rate in excess of 83%.    

2014 was also another record-breaking year for Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. In the year, MBFS funded more Vans than ever before, lending over £250 billion worth of finance, which represented a significant 6.8% increase on the previous year. Once again, nearly one third of all Mercedes-Benz Vans registered in the UK were funded by MBFS.

Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans, said: “When we broke the 30,000 registrations barrier in 2013, we broke all records in the UK history of our brand; to now announce registrations in 2014 of over 35,000 is a remarkable feat.

“We have the products, services and people to provide van owners and operators of the UK with an outstanding offering and our success in 2014 is proof of that.

“This year will be our year of sustainability, focused on maintaining our impressive registration benchmark; we look forward to a successful 2015.”

SEPTEMBER SALES - VOLKSWAGEN COMMERCIAL - VW celebrates more record sales, across the range.

• More than 5,500 registrations for September 2014 – up 4.6 per cent on 2013
• 30,821 total vehicles sold so far in 2014 – up 9.0 per cent on 2013
• Market share stands at 13.5 per cent year to date
• Record September registrations for Crafter - up 55.0 per cent on 2013

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has continued a record-breaking 2014 with its best ever light commercial vehicle (LCV) September registrations. With Van Centres across the UK reporting brisk business, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has reinforced its number two position in the light commercial vehicles sector.

A total of 5,519 light commercial vehicles were registered in September – up 4.6 per cent on the same period in 2013 (5,276) – with Transporter and Caddy leading the way with 2,333 and 1,755 registrations respectively. For the first time ever, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered more than 1,000 Crafters in September. Deliveries during the month increased by 55.0 per cent (1,054) when compared with the same period in 2013 (680). Sales of Amarok remained strong, with 377 delivered to customers in September. Year to date, Amarok sales are up 20.6% (2,450) when compared with 2013 (2,031).

In addition, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also registered 237 camper van and passenger carriers and 33 heavy commercial vehicles in September.

These record figures have helped Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles produce its highest ever sales figures for the first nine months of a year. With total sales of 33,715 (January – September), the brand is 7.8 per cent up on the same period in 2013 (31,262).

With a market share of 13.5 per cent, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles reinforced its number two position in the light commercial vehicles sector in the UK.

Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: ‘These strong results demonstrate the incredible momentum we are enjoying in the UK.

‘Demand for our products remains at an all-time high. In particular, customer orders for Crafter are at a record level - not just because of its outstanding quality, but also because of its cast iron residual values and outstanding aftersales and fleet support provided from our dedicated Van Centre network.’