Mountjoy, the building maintenance company has placed and received it's order of 130 Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

• 110 Transporters, 10 Crafters and 10 Caddys provided to Mountjoy
• Vans wrapped, branded and racked out to offer optimum use of space
• Vehicles will be used by tradesmen delivering rapid repairs across Southern England

A leading provider of building and maintenance support services in Southern England has significantly increased its fleet by taking on 130 vehicles from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Portsmouth-based Mountjoy’s fleet now includes 110 Transporters, 10 Crafters and 10 Caddys. The vans will be used by Mountjoy tradesmen to provide a responsive repair service to housing tenants as part of its key contract with Portsmouth City Council.

The vans were chosen for their robustness, Bluetooth technology and all-round parking sensors, with Mountjoy wrapping and branding the vehicles and having them racked out to provide optimum use of space, with deadlocks also added.

The new vans see Mountjoy extending its fleet to over 300 vehicles. The large load capacity of all three Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles models helps the tradesmen with packing and unpacking equipment on-site, as well as allowing them to carry out refurbishment projects more efficiently.

Dan Carlin, Finance Director at Mountjoy, said: “The vehicles we use are as important as the work we provide and deliver. So it was an easy decision for us to turn to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for the supply of 130 vans.

“Both the design and practicality of the vans will make a real difference to our team. They look superb after being wrapped and branded, and our tradesmen have been nothing but positive about them.

“They now have hands-free technology and are able to ring into our call centre to give details of their jobs on site before they leave, which is a real benefit.”

Mountjoy has an excellent reputation for delivering flexible, tailored services across Southern England, with numerous term maintenance contracts with local government organisations, universities and housing associations. They carry out refurbishment projects for a variety of customers, and construction developments including design and build across both the public and private sectors.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Sirus Automotive collaborate to make wheelchair accessible vehicles.

• Developed with leading wheelchair conversion specialist, SirusAutomotive
• Available in Caddy Transfer, Caddy Drive and Caddy Up-Front variants
• Provides increased choice, independence and mobility for wheelchair users
• Offers a more realistic ‘car driving’ experience

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, in partnership with Sirus Automotive, the UK’s leading provider of ‘drive-from’ wheelchair and wheelchair passenger Up-Front vehicles, has launched the very first wheelchair conversion of its petrol-powered Caddy.  

The unique offer has been developed using the brand’s latest generation Caddy model, providing customers who are looking for a more realistic ‘car driving’ experience the option to select a petrol model for the very first time. Sirus offers three Caddy variants: the Caddy Transfer, Caddy Drive and Caddy Up-Front, all offering a superior experience for wheelchair users, whether they are a passenger or driver.

Nick Axtell, Specialist Sales Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The launch of the petrol-powered Caddy marks a significant development in the wheelchair conversion market. Historically most wheelchair conversions have been diesel. The introduction of petrol power brings more choice for wheelchair users, giving them greater opportunity to increase their mobility whilst enjoying an enhanced driving experience.”

The converted Volkswagen Caddy Up-Front, available from £26,195, can accommodate most power and manual chairs allowing the passenger to travel next to the driver in complete comfort. 

As standard, the conversion incorporates an ergonomically redesigned centre console, a shallow ramp (9 degrees), unique griping surface technology and a fully automated remote tailgate and ramp system with lowering suspension for easy access. 

A range of options such as alloy wheels, tyre packages, body styling enhancements and custom audio packages allowing customers to create the ultimate in wheelchair accessible transport.

Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Caddy Drive offers the highest specification ‘drive from wheelchair’ conversion. Available from £34,995, the Caddy Drive can accommodate most large powered chairs, features an ultra lowered floor to ensure exceptional headroom for taller wheelchair users and a re-located gear selector combined with electronic handbrake for ease-of-access and increased floor space.

All of the Volkswagen Caddy petrol and diesel powered Sirus conversions can be leased via the Motability scheme or purchased directly from Sirus Automotive Ltd and come with a three-year warranty supported by Sirus mobile engineers. Vehicles are available for immediate delivery.

Volkswagen releases the first skeches for the new designed Crafter Commercial Vehicle.

• Functional: new exterior and interior design
• Best in Class: lowest drag coefficient in its class
• Optimum workplace space

The first sketches of the new Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter, which is due to be launched this autumn, have been revealed today. Clearly displaying Volkswagen’s design DNA and conceived as the ‘big brother’ of the T-series, the all-new Crafter promises innovation, plus a high level of functionality and quality.

The new Crafter is a completely new vehicle. Experts at Volkswagen Commercial vehicles have worked closely with current customers, frequently accompanying them during their daily routines, to explore their needs and find out their visions of what they wanted the new Crafter to be, allowing them to help shape the new generation.

This is now reflected in both the function and design: the approach, according to Albert-Johann Kirzinger, Head of Design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWN), was thoroughly analytical: "In the commercial vehicle sector especially, design has got to work for lots of different customer groups."

At 0.33, the new Crafter has a best in class drag coefficient; and inside it combines great everyday practicality with optimum cargo space. The new design language shown on the Crafter will continue across all new commercial vehicle derivatives and models.

Kirzinger adds: “Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' T-series, the 'Bulli', is effectively being given a 'big brother' through the introduction of the new Crafter. With the Crafter, a level of surface quality, robustness and at the same time high qualitative value are achieved that have never before been available in this commercial vehicle class.”

HONEST JOHN AWARDS - The Volkswagen T6 Transporter takes the most popular van award.

• Transporter adds to prestigious collection of accolades at 2016 Honest John awards
• Latest generation of Volkswagen’s iconic Transporter scoops ‘Most Popular Van’ award
• Website user reviews and frequency of user search for the T6 key to coveted award win

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ latest generation Transporter has scooped yet another accolade, being named ‘Most Popular Van’ at this year’s Honest John awards.

With the award coming from the users of the honestjohn.co.uk website, this represents a significant endorsement for the T6. The Honest John awards recognise and reward the vehicles which obtain the best reviews and highest levels of user search on the website – www.honestjohn.co.uk – which receives three million visits every month.

The sixth-generation Transporter was selected as the outright winner in the ‘Most Popular Van’ category ahead of four other shortlisted commercial vehicles. The van builds on an illustrious heritage to offer a broad range of bodystyles that appeals to a wide audience, as well as class-leading comfort, convenience and safety features and driveability.

Dan Harrison, editor of honestjohn.co.uk explains: “Understanding the appeal of the new Transporter isn’t difficult. The new T6 from Volkswagen is cheap to run, practical and built for hard work. As a result it has become the benchmark for all medium panel vans. Hardly surprising then that it’s loved by everyone from delivery drivers and builders to surfers and campers.”

The Transporter offers two wheelbase options and no less than three roof heights plus a wide choice of load volumes and payloads to cater for any lifestyle or business need. This iconic model is also available with a range of smooth and economical 2.0-litre engines, manual and DSG automated transmissions and two- and four-wheel drive options. In addition the T6 also comes with an extensive range of safety features, including Driver Alert System and Automatic Post Collision Braking system as standard, plus optional Adaptive Cruise Control, City Emergency Braking System and High Beam Assist.

Commenting on the award win, Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “Since it arrived in the UK in September last year, the Transporter has impressed judging panels and experts across the industry, but the Honest John accolade brings an exciting new dimension to our collection of awards because it comes from our most important critics, van buyers.

“Volkswagen is committed to evolving its vehicles continually to maintain its industry leading standards and we are therefore delighted to have received such an overwhelming response to the Transporter T6 from drivers across the UK.”

The ‘Most Popular Van’ accolade joins a number of impressive awards won by the Transporter, including ‘International Van of the Year’, Van A2Z’s ‘Van of the Year’ and ‘Best Medium Van’, Van Fleet World ‘Best New Van’, and Trade Van Driver’s ‘Best Medium Van’ and ‘Van of the Year’ trophies.

VW Commercial has marked its return to the CV Show with the announcement of a new Converter Recognition Programme.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has marked its return to the CV Show this year with the announcement of a new Converter Recognition Programme. 

Designed to build upon the brand’s existing and successful ‘Engineered to Go’ and ‘Engineered for You’ programmes, the new scheme not only extends the range of off-the-shelf and bespoke conversions on offer, but also further guaranties the quality of the products available directly from Volkswagen’s dedicated Van Centre network.

Working only with pre-qualified trusted partners, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles continues to offers a range of conversion products manufactured to the highest standards and that comply with the latest commercial and technical requirements. The changes to the programmes see Volkswagen introduce a number of new quality and technical criteria to which converter partners must adhere in order to be part of the conversion offering. The alterations have been developed to improve quality further, simplify the aftersales service and increase customer convenience.   

A new three-tiered approach has been developed to suit the differing converter agreements that Volkswagen operates (Registered Bodybuilder, Integrated Partner and Premium Partner). At each level, converter partners will be required to undergo regular, stringent converter audits to ensure the quality of the products available, as well as deliver minimum type approval certification for each conversion. This dedication to quality means that all Volkswagen-converted vehicles will feature the same aftersales support received by the brand’s standard vehicles.

The changes to the scheme will ensure customers are provided with a ‘one stop shop’ for converted vehicles, meaning that their chosen Van Centre takes care of the whole conversion process. Not only does this increase the convenience for the customer and mean only one invoice will be received when purchased via the Van Centre, but also that when the vehicle is delivered it is ready-for-use straight away.

Nick Axtell, Specialist Sales Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, commented: “The changes to the ‘Engineered to Go’ and Engineered for You’ programmes are another example of how Volkswagen is working together with its customers to develop and evolve our products and service to help meet their business needs. The alterations to the conversions offering will allow us to not only further develop current range of off the shelf solutions we offer, but also help us to deliver an improved customer experience.”

Northern Ireland - Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd takes delivery of a further 28 VW Crafter Panel Vans.

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles secures new contract with Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd.
• Fleet bolstered by 28 Crafter panel vans
• Reliability and aftersales support key to securing contract 

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks Ltd (NIE Networks) has renewed its long-standing partnership with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, adding 28 Crafter panel vans to its already sizeable fleet. These were chosen due to the vehicles’ excellent quality and reliability, as well as the brand’s high level of aftersales support.

NIE Networks is responsible for managing 47,000 kilometres of overhead and underground cables that deliver electricity to 850,000 homes and businesses across Northern Ireland. 

As part of its regular replacement vehicle programme, the fleet, which currently comprises over 400 vehicles, has been boosted by the additional 28 new Volkswagen Crafter models.

The company opted for the Crafter CR35 MWB panel van due to its ample load space, rear-wheel drive functionality to help access remote areas, and ability for bespoke conversion. 

Each Crafter will be equipped with specialist racking solutions, depending on purpose and equipment carried. 

The new vehicles will be used within the connections side of the business, to help join new customers to the electricity network or alter existing connections for homes and businesses across the country.

NIE Networks is a business that puts its customers first, and as part of this commitment a number of the new Crafters will be used as 24/7 emergency response vehicles. 

To help reduce costly vehicle downtime, Volkswagen’s award-winning aftercare support will keep NIE Networks’ engineers on the road, and assist by sourcing a like-for-like courtesy vehicle if a van is off the road for more than a couple of hours.

David Corry, Supply Chain and Fleet Manager, NIE Networks, commented: “As the network company, we have a responsibility to ensure homes and businesses across Northern Ireland have a reliable electricity supply. 

It was the reliability and the first-rate aftersales service offered by Volkswagen which helped to make it an easy decision when it came to replacing vehicles on the fleet. We have had excellent experience in the past with Volkswagen, and we’re pleased to continue the relationship.”

Volkswagen announces pricing and specs for the All New T6 Transporter Van.

• Sixth-generation Transporter panel van priced from £17,745 (ex VAT)
• Broadest range of engines, trims and transmissions ever offered
• Engine range includes new Euro 6 unit with improved efficiency and lower emissions
• Higher equipment levels across the new Transporter range
• Kombi models priced from £19,840 (ex VAT)
• Order books open 6 July – deliveries start from September

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced UK prices and specifications for the new Transporter panel van and Kombi models. The sixth-generation model launches with the widest range of engine, transmission and trim level options ever offered by Volkswagen and introduces a host of new design and engineering features, along with new assistance and safety systems. 

Prices for the new Transporter T6 panel van start from £17,745 (excluding VAT and other OTR charges), with order books opening on 6 July.

The Transporter is Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ biggest selling model in the UK, and has consistently set the benchmark for quality, practicality and low running costs. The sixth-generation model – which is scheduled to arrive in the UK in September – is set to raise standards once more with a package that delivers improved efficiency, greater comfort and higher equipment levels.

Broader range, more equipment

The new Transporter panel van and Kombi range consists of three trim levels, all of which enjoy significant equipment boosts over the outgoing model.

Startline models are priced from £17,745 (panel van, excluding VAT) and introduce a host of new standard features including BlueMotion Technology, DAB+ digital radio, 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone connectivity and USB connection. Standard equipment also includes Volkswagen’s acclaimed Automatic Post Collision Braking system, which automatically applies the brakes after a collision, reducing the risk of a secondary impact.

Trendline models start from £19,755 (panel van, excluding VAT) and build on the generous standard specification of the Startline. In addition to new Simora cloth upholstery and a multi-function display, Trendline models benefit from new wheel trims, a full-height steel bulkhead (panel van), body-coloured bumpers and rear parking sensors. A Comfort pack consisting of foldable grab handles on A-pillars, additional storage compartments, dimmable cabin lights and additional noise suppression is also fitted as standard.

Highline models top the new Transporter range and are priced from £21,315. Among the many new features introduced to the sixth-generation version are a new leather multifunction steering wheel, heated windscreen, automatic driving light control, daytime running lights and 16-inch Clayton alloy wheels (17” Richmond alloys on T32 and/or 180PS engine). Highline models also come with front fog lights with cornering function and a Thatcham Category 1-approved alarm as standard.

In keeping with Transporter tradition, the new T6 model offers a range of body options and gross vehicle weights to suit the needs of all operators and drivers. In addition to three roof height options; standard (1,410 mm), medium (1,635 mm) and high (1,940 mm), the new Transporter is available with four gross vehicle weights (ranging from 2,600 kg to 3,200 kg) along with short and long wheelbase options.

Prices for Kombi models start from £19,840 for the entry-level 2.0 TDI 84PS Startline model.

Cleaner, more efficient engines

From launch, the Transporter engine range consists of four 2.0-litre TDI Euro5 engines with outputs of 84 PS, 102 PS, 140 PS and 180 PS (Highline only) and a 2.0-litre TDI Euro 6 unit that develops 102 PS. All models benefit from Volkswagen’s acclaimed BlueMotion Technology modifications as standard. These include low rolling resistance tyres, and regenerative braking and Start/Stop systems, to reduce fuel consumption meaning the new Transporter is cleaner and more efficient than the outgoing model. For example, the 2.0-litre 102 PS Euro6 panel van SWB can return 47.9 mpg on the combined cycle (a 10.2 mpg improvement) and emits 153 g/km of CO₂ (a reduction of 45 g/km).

The 2.0-litre TDI Euro6 engine will be joined by additional Euro6 units over the course of the next 12 months, with 150 PS and 204 PS powertrains added to the range. These advanced new units feature a range of improvements designed to increase efficiency and drivability.

All 84 PS and 102 PS engines are fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with 140 PS and 180 PS units equipped with either a six-speed transmission as standard or a seven-speed DSG automatic.

Option prices for the new Transporter range, along with prices and specifications for Shuttle, Caravelle and California models will be announced shortly.

From workforce to legend, the Transporter van celebrates 65 years of growth.

	From work-horse to legend
	Sketches in a notepad are basis for its success story
	11 million T-series vehicles sold worldwide

Some retire at the age of 65 – but this one is just getting started! Production of the first Volkswagen Transporter began 65 years ago and the ‘Bulli’ is still going strong today. 

The first models were built in Wolfsburg before production started at a new facility in Hannover in 1956. This date also marks the beginning of a unique automotive love story:  today, the entire model series has attained cult status. Whether hippy or tradesman – everyone is driving Transporter.

It all began in 1947 with a pencil sketch: the Dutch car importer Ben Pon saw a simple flat-bed vehicle at the Volkswagen plant and, taking it as a basic idea, he sketched the outlines of a Transporter with Beetle DNA in his notebook.

Two years later, Volkswagen Plant Manager, Heinrich Nordhoff, presented four prototypes: two panel vans, a kombi and a small bus. Nordhoff promised that the Transporter would be as uncompromising and robust as the Beetle: ‘These vehicles won't be handled with kid gloves, rather they will be treated roughly.’

Designers used the engine and axles of the Beetle. Instead of a central tubular frame of the popular family car, the bus had a unitized body that was mounted on a ladder frame. The 1.1-litre engine produced 18 kW (24.5PS) at 3300 rpm. The bus could transport up to eight people and the two rear seat rows could be removed easily to free up load space for around 750 kg of payload.

Alfred Haesner, Head of Technical Development of Volkswagen GmbH from 1948 to 1952, said: ‘Accordingly, this type of commercial delivery vehicle can be used for all branches of business, for rush deliveries and freight, e.g. as a small bus, a special-purpose vehicle, postal vehicle, ambulance or mobile station.’

Production began on 8 March 1950, in Hall 1 of the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, and ten vehicles were manufactured per day. 

By the end of 1950, 8001 Transporters had already been built. Demand was enormous, especially since its affordable price made it an attractive option to tradesmen and retail businesses. The unique vehicle quickly became an export hit as well. Volkswagen buses could simply transport anything and everything: rubble and debris, mortar and building stones, breakfast rolls and bees wax, cigars and newspapers.

A Volkswagen bus with a camping box made its appearance in 1951 at the automobile exhibition in Berlin. The delivery van with a rear engine suddenly held the promise of an entirely different type of travel. For the first time, it travelled over the Alps. Later, it was driven to India when hippies discovered the ‘Bulli’ for themselves.

Four years after its production launch, the 100,000th Volkswagen Transporter came off the assembly line in Wolfsburg in 1954. By this point, there were 30 different models of the vehicle. 

Daily production in Wolfsburg was at 80 vehicles but it couldn’t produce more because the plant was already filled to capacity with Beetle production. It became clear that the Transporter needed its own plant.

Construction work began in early March 1955 in Hannover-Stöcken, and the plant was built from the ground up in just one year. In March 1956, the first "Made in Stöcken" Transporters come off the assembly line. This was the beginning of a future symbol of the ‘economic wonder years’. Today, a total of 11 million T-series vehicles spanning five generations have been produced worldwide.

Dr. Eckhard Scholz, Chairman of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: ‘The production launch of the T1 represented the beginning of a long success story that has lasted right up to today. In the past, as well as the present, there is market demand for extremely reliable, versatile and individual vehicles. We deliver them in top quality and precisely tailored to every need – whether the vehicle is for trades work, a retail or service business, family or recreation.’

Production of the new generation model, the T6, launches this year. Along with the T-series, the Hannover-Stöcken plant also produces the Amarok pick up. The successful California recreational vehicle is built not far away in Limmer. Around 12,200 people are employed at the Hannover business site of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The Poznan plant in Poland (5,700 employees) produces the Transporter and the Caddy, and another plant is being built in nearby, Wrzesnia for the new Crafter. Today, a total of around 19,500 employees work for the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand.