VOLKSWAGEN commercial vehicles shows more growth in May, with worldwide sales of nearly 180,000.

• Deliveries to customers are up 3.4 per cent in first five months of 2015
• New Caddy and T6 shortly before market launch
• Plants in Poland and Hannover working with full commitment
• Brand shows increases in Western Europe in May, primarily in Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
• Significant growth in Asia and the Middle East as well

From January to May 2015, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles achieved a 3.4 per cent increase in deliveries with 184,400 vehicles from the T, Caddy, Amarok and Crafter series (January to May 2014: 178,300 units). 

At the same time, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle plants in Hannover and Poznan, Poland have started production of the new generation Volkswagen Caddy and the new generation Volkswagen Transporter and are working with full commitment.

"After the highly successful launch of the third generation Caddy and T series, we are now retooling our production to new models. Despite this, we are able to achieve significant growth in key sales regions," said Bram Schot, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. "Reactions to our new Caddy and our new T-series are very promising," said Schot.

Even during the completed model change for the Transporter and the new Caddy, worldwide deliveries remained largely stable in May at 36,900 vehicles (2014: 37,700: -2 per cent). The brand continued to improve its results in the main sales region of Western Europe with 25,300 vehicles (2014: 25,200: +0.7 per cent). In Western Europe, the markets showing the highest growth in deliveries to customers were Italy (800 vehicles; +50 per cent), the Netherlands (1,300 units; +25.5 per cent) and the United Kingdom (over 4,500 deliveries; +21.2 per cent).

In the Asia/Pacific region, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles showed considerable gains with 2,100 delivered vehicles; sales were especially strong in Australia with +30 per cent growth to nearly 1,300 units. In the Middle East region (2,600 vehicles; +13.9 per cent), Turkey was a significant growth driver.

In Eastern Europe Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 2,400 vehicles in May (-23.7 per cent). In the South American region the number of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles deliveries dropped by 19 per cent to 2,600 units. The African region delivered 1,500 vehicles (-10.9 per cent).

GENEVA - I saw MAXI, and thought Issigonis had risen, but no, its the new Caddy van from VW.

• World premiere of Caddy Maxi
• Emissions and fuel consumption reduced by new EU6 engines
• New driver assistance systems improve safety
• Classic design refined with clear pronounced lines

Shortly after the world premiere of the Caddy in the Polish city of Poznań, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles now presents the latest generation long wheel base version, the Caddy Maxi, at the Geneva International Motor Show. More than 1.5 million of the award-winning previous generation were sold worldwide during its eleven years in production. Around a third of these were Caddy Maxi Life passenger carriers.  The fourth generation Caddy Maxi Life aims to continue this success, boasting a 32 cm longer wheel base than its standard wheel base sibling.

The Caddy Maxi Life features two rows of seats in the passenger compartment and offers a cargo volume of 530 litres. The backrest of the third row bench seat folds down and the second row bench seat also folds forward. This seat folding process quickly expands the cargo volume. If necessary, both rows of seats can be removed entirely. This creates additional cargo space with just a few simple movements. When the third row seat is removed, storage volume is extended to 1,350 litres, and when the second seat row is also removed it is increased to 3,700 litres. 

The Caddy Maxi Life offers 848 litres more cargo space than the 2,852 litres in the standard Caddy Life with rear seats removed. This means that users can load much more in the Caddy Maxi Life with its cargo volume of up to 4.7 m³ (in combination with the optional Flex Plus seat) than in the standard Caddy with its 3.2 m³.

The payload for the Caddy Maxi panel van, including the driver, is up to 1,005 kg.

The drive systems use state-of-the-art technology, with the Caddy Maxi's new engines providing maximum efficiency and compliance with the EU6 emissions standard. The three TDI diesel versions of the Caddy Maxi are two-litre four cylinder engines. Their performance ranges from 75 PS, 102 PS to the top engine with 150 PS.

In the new Caddy and Caddy Maxi, numerous new safety and comfort features protect the occupants and support the driver.

One of these is the ‘Front Assist’ surroundings monitoring system, including City Emergency Braking: if the driver fails to see an obstacle below a speed of 30 km/h (19 mph), the system automatically applies the brakes, aiming to prevent any collisions. In the passenger carrying versions, occupants are protected with side and curtain airbags.

Approximately 22 per cent of all accidents involving injuries are collisions with more than one obstacle. In order to minimise the risk related to this scenario, the award-winning ‘Multi-collision Brake System’ is included as standard in the new Caddy and Caddy Maxi. After a collision, it automatically initiates braking if the driver is no longer able to take action.

Other available options are the ‘Light Assist’ and ‘Driver Alert’ systems. The latter recognises any deviations from normal driving behaviour and recommends to the driver when a break is necessary. Also available is the option of a heated windscreen, which helps to ensure a permanently good view no matter the weather.

For the first time on Caddy there is the option of ‘Adaptive Cruise Control’ (ACC), which is activated at speeds of 0 to 160 km/h (0-100 mph) with DSG or 30 to 160 km/h (19-100 mph) with a manual transmission, and uses a radar sensor to monitor the distance and relative speed to vehicles in front. In combination with the DSG, the ACC system can also slow the vehicle down, for example in queues or traffic jam situations, to a complete stop.

In combination with the Composition Colour and Composition Media radios and with the Discover Media radio-navigation system, customers are able to order a reversing camera. The optional ‘Park Assist’ system enables automated parallel parking as well as parking at right-angles to the carriageway – an especially practical feature for courier services.

An evolution of a best-seller: the new Caddy and Caddy Maxi’s design impresses with sharper folds and clearly defined surfaces with stylish clarity. The redesigned front and the striking rear design, give the new compact van an unmistakable character – this is further distinguished by the new look of the front and rear lights. While remaining extremely functional, the high-quality Caddy has gained noticeably in presence.

In keeping with the expressive exterior, the vehicle's interior also features accentuated lines and shapes. Striking decorative trims with integrated air vents and a new generation of infotainment equipment underline the Caddy and Caddy Maxi’s new look.

The new Caddy and Caddy Maxi will be launched in Germany at the end of June. UK vehicles will arrive later in the year.

UK specifications and prices for the Caddy and Caddy Maxi will be announced in due course.

Volkswagen Group lays foundation stone in new Commercial Vehicle Plant, Poland.

• The Września plant will produce the successor to the Volkswagen Crafter from the end of 2016
• Modern body shop, paint shop, vehicle assembly hall and supplier park on an area of over 220 hectares
• New plant creates up to 3,000 jobs

In a ceremony which took place today, Volkswagen laid the foundation stone for the new plant in Września, near Poznań, in the presence of representatives from the Volkswagen Group, the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand and guests from the Polish government and local authorities. It is here that the next generation Volkswagen Crafter will be built, with production scheduled for the second half of 2016.

Dr Leif Östling, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG with responsibility for Commercial Vehicles, Dr Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Brand, and Jens Ocksen, Head of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Poznań, welcomed more than 200 guests to the event. 

Among the guests who attended were Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs of Poland, Marek Woźniak, Marshal of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship and his Excellency Archbishop Dr Stanisław Gądecki. The signed articles of association sealed in a ‘time capsule’ were placed together with the foundation stone.

‘As a result of this investment, the work force of the Volkswagen Group in Poland will grow to over 16,000 employees in the next few years. This will increase the importance of Poland as an international automobile location,’ said Dr Leif Östling during the foundation stone ceremony.

The new plant will be built in Września, 30 miles east of Poznań. The building site covers an area of 220 hectares, which is equivalent to the size of more than 300 football fields. 

At present, the first construction work is under way to level and pave the site. The first vehicles will leave the assembly line in 2016.

‘Today, we produce around 170,000 vehicles with almost 7,000 workers, not only for Poland but for the whole of Europe and beyond,’ said Dr Eckhard Scholz. ‘This makes Volkswagen Poznań the second pillar for the brand – after the main assembly plant in Hannover. In future, this pillar will provide more support and therefore the foundation stone is laid today in the literal sense of the word. By a new plant and by a new vehicle,’ continued Scholz.

The first Volkswagen Crafter vehicles will be delivered starting the second half of 2016. The new plant is planning to achieve an annual production capacity of up to 100,000 vehicles.

A modern paint shop will be built on the plant site as well as halls for body assembly, vehicle assembly and a supplier park with logistics areas.

Up to 3,000 employees will work in the new facility. Volkswagen's investment will also help automotive suppliers create new jobs. At present, 40 per cent of parts supplied to the Volkswagen plant in Poznań are from Polish companies.

Jens Ocksen, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Poznań, stressed the advantages which will result from locating the new plant in the vicinity of the existing plant in Poznań. This applies to production, logistics, and supplier companies, as well as to the recruitment of new skilled workers: ‘Września offers us the best economic, infrastructural and labour market conditions. 

Building the plant in Biełężyce, near Września, is a key element in implementing the strategic and global aims of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand,’ said Ocksen.

Janusz Piechociński, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs, had this to say about the decision to locate the plant in Poland: ‘Locating the Volkswagen project in Poland is proof that Poland remains an attractive location for investment. The foundation stone ceremony today is also the start, I hope, of long-term prospects for local companies which can provide high-quality services.’

After the Volkswagen plant in Poznań-Antoninek, the new plant in Września will be the second production location of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Poland.

Volkswagen Poznań has been in existence for over 20 years. Here, the Volkswagen Caddy city delivery van and the Volkswagen Transporter have been built for the past 10 years for markets all over the world.