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.”

END OF YEAR UK - MERCEDES VANS - The commercial arm celebrates 7 years of growth.

• Seventh Consecutive Year Of Growth, 13 Industry Awards And 36,952 New Registrations: 2016 Adds Up To A Record Success For Mercedes-Benz Vans

Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd has continued to keep Britain’s businesses moving in 2016 with the brand reporting some seriously enviable numbers including a record 36,952 registrations, marking the seventh consecutive year of growth.

Increases can be seen across the board, from an impressive 13 industry award haul in 2016 including Fleet Van of the Year at the Motor Transport Awards and Van Manufacturer of the Year at the Commercial Fleet Awards, to a 30% rise in Citan registrations.

Mercedes-Benz Vans also celebrated record sales in March (+18% year-on-year), November (+26%), the first quarter of 2016 (+11%), the second quarter (+1%) and the last quarter (+3%), as well as best ever retail sales (+8%), leading to an increase of 7% in the number of new customers choosing Mercedes-Benz Vans.

In terms of used vehicles, the brand has seen a 9% year-on-year growth for used van sales from the Dealer Network, who have themselves, grown massively in 2016. One Mercedes-Benz Vans Dealer sold more than 4,000 vehicles last year – for context, that is more than the Mercedes-Benz Vans sales across Ireland, Hungary, Greece and Luxembourg combined.

In addition, 2016 has seen some significant Dealer investment across the 116 site nationwide Network, with two dedicated Van Centres opened last year – Euro Commercials in Cardiff and Roanza in Liverpool. Rygor Commercials also launched a new, purpose-built Van and Truck site in Gloucester, and there were site redevelopments from Mertrux Nottingham, Orwell Truck & Van Ipswich and Northside Truck & Van Sheffield.

Over 15,500 Service Plans were activated last year, representing more than a 250% increase since 2012, with 109,000 vans going through the Mercedes-Benz authorised repairer network last year.

MobiloVan, Mercedes-Benz Vans’ free UK and Europe-wide roadside assistance, continues to keep customers moving, with an attendance time of still less than an hour and a roadside fix rate of almost 80%.

Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS) also had another record-breaking year, funding £298m vans in 2016. More new and used vans have been funded than ever before with over 1,000 more vans financed last year than in the previous record year. MBFS continues to fund one in three Mercedes-Benz Vans in the UK.

Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, said: “Our focus to keep our customers’ businesses moving has been unrelenting this year, and it is a focus that we are very proud of; I don’t want us to be seen as another vehicle manufacturer – we are a commercial partner, working hard to support Britain’s businesses.

“Offering the best products is nothing without the service of the best team, and that is something that we have both at Head Office and across our nationwide Dealer Network. I am genuinely humbled to have received the awards and accolades that we have had this year to reflect this, with many judged by van buyers, users and operators. It makes me exceptionally proud to be considered Van Manufacturer of the Year by Commercial Fleet and as I have said before, this is an award that belongs to each individual that works for and on behalf of Mercedes-Benz Vans.

“The motivation for us remains our customers, and I thank them all for their business in 2016, from the one van purchase through to the large fleet deals and the existing van operators that continue to choose our Dealer Network for their maintenance.”

Volkswagen commercial see's significant growth wmost models growing in sales, over the January - May period.

• 195,200 vehicles delivered worldwide
• Significant growth of 7.9 per cent in Western Europe
• In Germany the brand delivers 49,700 vehicles
• T model range in double figures with 11.2 per cent growth

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 195,200 light commercial vehicles to customers from January to May, an increase of 5.7 per cent. In this period, the T model range was the top seller: the Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California achieved a worldwide delivery increase of 11.2 per cent at over 81,400 units. 

With a figure of 40,100 units delivered in the single month of May, brand sales were considerably higher than in the same period last year (+8.7 per cent).

Bram Schot, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles responsible for Sales and Marketing, said: "We are very satisfied with developments in our sales situation in the month of May. This is also due to excellent work undertaken by our dealer network in the past few months. A lot of the feedback from our customers is positive; our product portfolio is well received."

In Germany, 49,700 vehicles (+4.4 per cent) were delivered to customers during the first five months of the year. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also increased sales in the European volume markets of Spain (+27.4 per cent to 5,600 vehicles), Italy (+26.3 per cent to 4,500 vehicles) and France (+20.1 per cent to 8.000 vehicles). In Eastern Europe the brand reported a rise of 8.2 per cent with 13,900 deliveries.

Outside Europe the following regions reported increases: North America (+19.6 per cent to 3,000 vehicles), South America (+4.0 per cent to 15,500 vehicles) and the Middle East (+1.8 per cent to 14,000 vehicles). Only Brazil (-17.9 per cent to 4,300 vehicles) and the African region (-14.6 per cent to 6,100 vehicles) recorded decreases in vehicle deliveries due to continuing difficulties in the general conditions there.

Deliveries by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles from January to May by model:

• 81,400 vehicles from the T model range (73,200; +11.2 per cent)
• 64,300 vehicles from the Caddy range (61,800; +4.0 per cent)
• 30,300 vehicles from the Amarok range (30,100; +0.9 per cent)
• 19,100 vehicles from the Crafter range (19,400; -1.8 per cent)

Volkswagen Commercial sales grow by an impressive 4.7% during the first four months, not bad considering.

• Worldwide delivery increase of 4.7 per cent
• Clear growth of 7.8 per cent in Western Europe
• In Germany the brand delivers 39,100 vehicles
• Deliveries of the T-series up by 9.4 per cent

In the first four months of the year Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 154,600 vehicles to customers worldwide – growth of 4.7 per cent. With 41,500 vehicles, the brand's deliveries in April also exceeded the previous year's level (+5.8 per cent). Particularly successful: the T-series with 64,500 Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California handed over to customers (+9.4 per cent).

Bram Schot, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles responsible for Sales and Marketing, says: "Our product offensive and customer-oriented vehicle solutions are becoming increasingly important. We would like to thank our customers for the continued great trust they place in us and our products."

On the German domestic market 39,100 light commercial vehicles were delivered between January and April this year. This corresponds to an increase of 4.0 percent. The brand's sales also increased in the European core markets Italy (+32.5 per cent to 3,700 vehicles), Spain (+25.2 per cent to 4,300 vehicles) and France (+17.9 per cent to 6,400 vehicles). The East European region also recorded a successful four months: 10,900 vehicles delivered here represent an increase of 4.1 per cent.

Outside Europe the markets of Argentina (+9.4 per cent to 7,000 vehicles) and Turkey (+1.2 per cent to 9,900 vehicles) delivered more vehicles than in the same period last year.

Due to the continued difficult situation the markets in Africa (-13.2 per cent to 4,900 vehicles), Asia-Pacific (-7.0 per cent to 6,600 vehicles), the Middle East (-2.6 per cent to 10,800 vehicles) and South America (-0.4 per cent to 12,300 vehicles) recorded a fall in sales.

Deliveries by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles from January to April by model:

• 64,500 vehicles of the T-model series (58,900; +9.4 per cent)
• 50,700 vehicles of the Caddy model series (48,800; +3.9 per cent)
• 24,200 vehicles of the Amarok model series (24,400; -0.9 per cent)
• 15,300 vehicles of the Crafter model series (15,500; -1.8 per cent)

Volkswagen's Transporter collects top accolade at this year’s Trade Van Driver Awards.

• Transporter collects top accolade at this year’s Trade Van Driver Awards
• The Transporter claimed ‘Van of the Year’ and ‘Best Medium Van’
• Impeccable handling, well thought-out load area and excellent residual values key to securing awards

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ sixth generation Transporter has extended its award-winning year to claim both ‘Best Medium Van’ and overall ‘Van of the Year’ at this year’s Trade Van Driver Awards 2016. The Transporter’s impeccable handling, efficient engines and market-leading residual values helped to give it the edge over its rivals in the judges’ minds.

The latest Transporter offers an extensive range of wheelbases, roof heights, load volumes and payload options to cater for all business needs within the medium van sector.  Available as a passenger carrier, panel van or more recently chassis cab and dropside variants, the Transporter comes equipped with range of economical 2.0-litre engines, manual and DSG transmissions and two- and four-wheel drive.

The Transporter comes with a comprehensive list of safety equipment, which includes Driver Alert and Automatic Post Collision Braking Systems coming as standard.  The sixth-generation Transporter also boasts an impressive list of additional safety feature options including Adaptive Cruise Control, City Emergency Braking and High Beam Assist.

Trade Van Driver Magazine editor, Matthew Eisenegger commented: “Trade Van Driver Magazine prides itself on offering a true reflection of the thoughts and feelings of its readership. The new styling of the Transporter T6, as well as its ability to work hard and efficiently, make it a worthy class winner. The Transporter’s impeccable handling, functional design, well-thought-out load areas and the best residual values of any van, make the new Volkswagen Transporter T6 the worthy winner of the 2016 Trade Van Driver Awards ‘Van of the Year’.”

Commenting on the awards success, Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said:  “The Transporter continues to impress judging panels across the industry, which is testament to the quality of this new model. This award is judged by a mix of industry experts and light commercial users which makes the result particularly pleasing!” 

These latest awards come off the back of a number of impressive results for the Transporter in 2016, which have included winning the prestigious ‘International Van of the Year’ award as well as claiming VansA2Z’s ‘Van of the Year 2016’ and Van Fleet World ‘Best New Van’ awards.

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has again won the award for Best Large Van at the 2016 Van Fleet World Honours.

A firm favourite with some of the UK’s biggest and most diverse businesses, from courier and express delivery companies, food distributors and front-line ambulances, the impressive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has once again scooped the award for Best Large Van at the 2016 Van Fleet World Honours.

Impressively, this is the seventh time since 2008 that Sprinter has collected this award from the judging panel at Van Fleet World.

Dan Gilkes, Editor of Van Fleet World, said: “The large van market is for many, the most important sector of the LCV arena, with demand for 3.5 tonne vans in particular at such a sustained all-time high. From supermarkets to couriers, construction to blue light users, large vans form the backbone of fleets across the UK.

“While there are many strong vans in this sector, the Van Fleet World judges felt that Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the way with Sprinter. The wide range of Euro 6 engines and transmissions on offer, including the increasingly popular seven-speed automatic transmission, provide enough power and economy for any operation.

“There are such a huge range of body styles, sizes and capacities that it would be impossible to list them all here. Add in the option of a robust 4x4 system and a chassis cab that can be converted into literally thousands of LCV models, and Mercedes-Benz really does have a van to suit any application.

“More than that however, Sprinter remains as popular with the fleet manager and the finance director, as it does with drivers. Whether moving people or goods, Sprinter is our number one large van choice.”

Steve Bridge, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK, commented: “We are always pleased to win such a prestigious award and have had the accolade of Best Large Van from Van Fleet World Honours for seven years now – it is always the best endorsement to hear what van buyers and operators, as well as leading UK journalists think of the Sprinter.

“In fact, we have stopped traditionally advertising the Sprinter because, quite simply, the UK roads are the perfect billboard – when you see the UK’s leading fleets all choosing Sprinter time and time again, it’s hard to argue with!”

Vauxhall Commercial vehicles joins the "Made In Britain Campaign" to promote all things British.

• Luton-built Vivaro gets new Made in Britain badging
• Up to 40 per cent of content sourced locally from British firms
• Vivaro designed by team led by Luton-born design director Malcolm Ward

Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles has joined the Made in Britain campaign and marked the partnership by adding the official badge to all Vauxhall Vivaro models that are built in Luton. 

The Made in Britain Campaign was founded in 2011 with the aim of helping everyone identify British-made products. The not-for-profit campaign now includes thousands of products from over 700 members. 

Made in Britain members range from large manufacturers to small companies and start-ups, with Vauxhall joining Unipart, Naylor, Anglian Home Improvements and the National Gallery among others on the campaign.

“The campaign team are really excited to celebrate the success of Vivaro and see thousands more Made in Britain badges out there on Vauxhall’s vans,” said  John Pearce, CEO of the Made in Britain Campaign.  “It is definitely going to accelerate our membership towards this year’s #1000makers target.” 

“We want all British manufacturers, big and small, to join our campaign and apply the trademark-protected Made in Britain logo on their goods, their packaging and online. The more people know about where products are made, the easier it is for them to choose to buy British.”

Last year, Vauxhall manufactured 60,280 Vivaro vans at its plant in Luton, with 28,000 of those sold in the UK. Over eight million vehicles have been built at Vauxhall’s Luton site since 1905. Following the closure of the Ford Southampton factory in 2013, Vauxhall’s is the sole flag bearer for UK van manufacturing.

“We are very proud of our 113-year heritage of building vehicles in Britain, and being part of this campaign is a great way to communicate this,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director.

“The Made in Britain campaign does a brilliant job of reminding customers that we have a highly-skilled workforce on our doorstep, producing thousands of high quality products.”

Vauxhall’s all-new Vivaro was launched in 2014, securing 1,500 jobs at the UK’s only dedicated light commercial vehicle plant after workers won a ten-year contract and a £185 million investment. Thanks to the outstanding attitude and work ethic of the workforce, the Luton plant beat world class competition from across Europe to build the new van.

Vauxhall’s commitment to UK manufacturing has given suppliers across the country a huge lift thanks to £600 million of new business over the life of the Vivaro and 40 per cent of content for the van being sourced locally from British firms.

This is an increase of 60 per cent on the outgoing model and means other UK businesses benefit from the investment and job security that come from Vauxhall winning the contract to build the new van.

And this great British success story doesn’t end there.  The Vivaro was designed by a team led by Luton-born Malcolm Ward.  In his role as Vauxhall/Opel’s Design Director, Ward follows in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather who both worked at Vauxhall.

WORLDWIDE SALES - Volkswagen Commercial sees growth in the third month of the year.

• Worldwide delivery increase of 4.3 per cent
• Bram Schot, Board Member for Sales and Marketing: “The renewal of the model range is taking effect”
• Positive development of the brand also expected for coming quarters

In the first three months of the year Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 113,100 vehicles to customers worldwide – growth of 4.3 per cent. With 46,100 vehicles, the brand's deliveries in March also exceeded those of the previous year (+0.8 per cent).

On the German domestic market the brand delivered 28,000 units, 3.7 per cent more vehicles in the first quarter than in the same period last year (27,100 vehicles). Growth was particularly high in core European markets of Italy (+40.2 per cent to 2,900 vehicles), Spain (+27.7 per cent to 3,100 vehicles) and France (+17.6 per cent to 4,600 vehicles).

Deliveries to Eastern Europe (+2.6 per cent to 8,000 vehicles) and South America (+4.1 per cent to 9,600 vehicles) also developed positively in the first three months of the year. Markets in Africa (-29.7 per cent to 3,000 vehicles), Asia-Pacific (-9.1 per cent to 5,000 vehicles) and the Middle East (-0.5 per cent to 7,900 vehicles) recorded a fall.

Bram Schot, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles responsible for Sales and Marketing said: "The renewal of the model range with Caddy and T-series in 2015 is taking effect. It will be continued this year and next year with the Amarok and Crafter." Deliveries in Western Europe have seen a pleasing development. He added: “The markets in Southern and Western Europe are also recovering again.” He is expecting “continued positive development of the brand for the whole of 2016”. However, Schot goes on to say that the situation in the regions without such strong national economies remains challenging.

An overview of deliveries of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles by models:

• 46,800 vehicles of the T-model series (43,500; +7.6 per cent)
• 36,700 vehicles of the Caddy model series (35,000; +4.9 per cent)
• 18,800 vehicles of the Amarok model series (18,500; +1.7 per cent)
• 10,900 vehicles of the Crafter model series (11,600; -5.9 per cent)

WORLDWIDE SALES - Volkswagen Commercial sees growth in the first two months of the year.

• Global deliveries up 6.7 per cent
• Western European market grows 12.3 per cent
• Deliveries in home German market up 10 per cent

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 67,000 vehicles to customers in the first two months of the year. This represents growth of 6.7 per cent over the same period in the previous year (62,750). In the high-volume market of Western Europe, the brand recorded double-digit growth.

“We have made a really impressive start to the new year,” explained Bram Schot, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand responsible for Sales and Marketing. “In February alone, there was a 16.4 per cent increase in deliveries in Germany.” Schot added that these figures proved the popularity of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to customers.

In Western Europe, the brand delivered 45,300 light commercial vehicles from the Transporter, Caddy, Crafter and Amarok model ranges in January and February. That represents an increase of 12.3 per cent year on year (40,300). In the domestic market of Germany, 17,500 vehicles were handed over to customers (15,900; +10.0 per cent).

Sales in the core markets of France (+15.7 per cent), Italy (+38.8 per cent) and Spain (+24.1 per cent) also greatly increased compared to the previous year. In Eastern Europe, 4,900 units were delivered, 2.2 per cent fewer vehicles than in 2015 (5,000).

In South America, 6,200 vehicles were handed over to customers in the first two months of the year (6,100; +1.2 per cent). In the case of Brazil, this means an increase of 6.8 per cent, and for Argentina a rise of 3.2 per cent. The Middle East region was also above the previous year’s level with 4,600 vehicles delivered (4,500; +3.0 per cent). Of this figure, the Turkish market accounted for 4,100 vehicles (3,900; +5.4 per cent).    

Worldwide deliveries in January and February by model range:  

• 27,100   vehicles from the T model range (24,500; +10.6 per cent)
• 22,200   vehicles from the Caddy range (20,400; +8.7 per cent)
• 11,800   vehicles from the Amarok range (11,500; +2.3 per cent)
•  6,000    vehicles from the Crafter range (6,400; -6.6 per cent)