WORLDWIDE SALES MAY - VW COMMERCIAL - The sales continue to grow each month.

• 6.5 per cent growth in Western Europe
• 5.8 per cent more deliveries in Germany
• 10.3 per cent gains in the Caddy series

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 204,800 light commercial vehicles worldwide up to the end of May. This represents an increase of 5.4 per cent compared with the same period last year. In Western Europe, deliveries to customers increased by 6.5 per cent in the first five months of the year to 143,100 vehicles.

In Germany, the brand delivered 52,600 units, 5.8 per cent more vehicles than in the same period of the previous year. Significant increases were recorded in France (+14.4 per cent to 9,200 vehicles), Italy (+13.5 per cent to 5,100 vehicles) and Spain (+9.3 per cent to 6,100 vehicles). Deliveries in Eastern Europe rose by 15.2 per cent to 15,700 vehicles.

In North America, 4,400 vehicles were delivered to customers. This corresponds to an increase of 48.0 per cent. In South America, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 15,800 vehicles (+7.1 per cent); in the Asia-Pacific region, it was 9,500 units (+11.8 per cent).

The markets in Africa (-15.4 per cent to 5,100 vehicles) and the Middle East (-20.3 per cent to 11,100 vehicles) recorded declines in vehicle deliveries.

Overview of worldwide deliveries by model range (January to May 2017 inclusive):

• 86.100 vehicles from the T model range (81,200; +6.0 per cent)
• 70,900 vehicles from the Caddy range (64,300; +10.3 per cent)
• 30,400 vehicles from the Amarok range (29,600; +2.5 per cent)
• 17,400 vehicles from the Crafter range (19,100; -8.9 per cent)

(The drop in deliveries of the Crafter is attributable to the model changeover.)

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). 

WORLDWIDE SALES APRIL - VW - The commercial arm of the company see's steady growth.

• European core markets: growth of 6.8 per cent
• Caddy series: significant increase of 10.8 per cent

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 161,700 vans and pickups to customers around the world up to the end of April. This represents an increase of 4.8 per cent compared with the same period last year. In Western Europe, deliveries increased by 6.8 per cent in the first four months of the year to 114,100 vehicles.

In the German home market, 41,200 vehicles were handed over to customers (+5.5 per cent). All other European core markets showed significant increases in deliveries as well: France (+16.7 per cent to 7,500 vehicles), Spain (+13.8 per cent to 4,900 vehicles), Italy (+11.8 per cent to 4,100 vehicles) and the UK (+3.3 per cent to 16,600 vehicles).

In Eastern Europe, 12,300 vehicles were delivered to customers. This corresponds to an increase of 13.2 per cent.

In North America, with 3,500 vehicles sold, 49.9 per cent more vehicles were delivered to customers. In South America, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 12,200 vehicles (+ 3.5 per cent).

In the Asia-Pacific region, the brand also recorded increases in deliveries (+ 9.2 per cent to 7,200 vehicles).

The markets in Africa (-19.0 per cent to 4,000 vehicles) and the Middle East (-22.9 per cent to 8,400 vehicles) recorded a fall in vehicle deliveries in the first four months of the year.

With the exception of the Crafter, all model ranges showed a substantial increase in sales. The drop in deliveries of the Crafter is attributable to the model changeover.

 Overview of worldwide deliveries by model range (January to April 2017 inclusive):

• 67,700 vehicles from the T model range (64,500; +4.8 per cent)
• 56,300 vehicles from the Caddy range (50,800; +10.8 per cent)
• 23,800 vehicles from the Amarok range (23,600; +0.8 per cent)
• 13,900 vehicles from the Crafter range (15,300; -8.9 per cent)

Ssangyong expands into the importation of commercial vehicles from DFSK.

Vehicle Import & Distribution Ltd, has been established by Bassadone Automotive, which also owns the UK importer and distributor of SsangYong 4x4 cars and light commercials, SsangYong Motor UK Ltd.

The setting-up of the new company will be overseen by Doug Lincoln, operations director.  With its head office and logistics centre in Luton, DFSK vehicles will arrive through the company’s own import reception and preparation centre at Portbury Docks, near Bristol.

The range, which will go on sale this summer, will initially comprise four models.  The C31 single cab minitruck, C32 double cab minitruck, C35 panel van, and the C37 minivan.  UK prices have yet to be announced, but expected to start from below £10,000.

All DFSK vehicles meet the latest emissions requirements, and are powered by 1500cc Euro 6B petrol engines.

Commented Doug Lincoln, “We believe there is a huge opportunity for DFSK in the UK.  From small independent businesses through to local authorities, cost-saving and value-for-money is today’s mantra.  Why pay more when a DFSK delivers such a great return on investment?

“We particularly see huge opportunities in metropolitan areas where the vehicles’ compact size, manoeuvrability and economical petrol engines are ideal for short, stop-start urban journeys.”

From launch, there will be a network of service centres nationwide, with retail outlets located strategically.

“Good and well-priced aftersales service is vital in this sector of the market,” says Mr Lincoln.  “We want to get that right and build customer confidence in the product and servicing before pushing for volume sales.”

WORLDWIDE SALES MARCH - VW Commercial - and decent 8% growth keeps the commercial arm continuing to grow.

• 121,800 vehicles delivered worldwide
• Record month in March: 53,600 vehicles
• All European core markets with significant increase
• The new Crafter is gathering speed 

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 121,800 vehicles to customers worldwide in the first three months of the year and was able to show a growth of 8.0 per cent compared to the previous year. 

Never before has the brand placed so many vehicles in customer hands in the first three months of a year. In addition, the 53,600 units delivered in March are a new monthly record. 

Bram Schot, Member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles for Sales and Marketing, said "The excellent result makes us proud and is at the same time an incentive to continue offering our customers the best transport solutions." 

Schot highlighted in particular the high demand for the new Crafter, which has been in showrooms since 10 March in many European markets: "The car is being extremely well received in the markets." 

In Germany, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 31,100 units in the first quarter, 10.6 per cent more vehicles than in the same period of the previous year. In March alone, 13,300 vehicles were delivered to German customers (+26.3 per cent). Deliveries from January to March were outstanding in all European volume markets too: France +24.0 per cent to 5,700 vehicles, Spain +18.6 per cent to 3,700 vehicles, the UK +11.9 per cent to 13,300 vehicles and Italy +8.1 per cent to 3,100 vehicles. 

In total, the brand delivered 86,600 vehicles (+11.1 per cent) to all Western European countries, in Eastern Europe it was 9,100 units (+13.9 per cent). 

Outside Europe growth was also recorded in the regions of North America (+54.8 per cent to 2,700 vehicles), Asia Pacific (+9.8 per cent to 5,400 vehicles) and South America (+0.6 per cent to 9,300 vehicles). 

Markets in Africa (-1.2 per cent to 2,900 vehicles) and the Middle East (-27.8 per cent to 5,700 vehicles) recorded a fall in sales.

Worldwide deliveries for first quarter 2017 by model range:

• 50,600 vehicles from the T model range (46,800; +8.1 per cent)
• 42,400 vehicles from the Caddy range (36,700; +15.7 per cent)
• 18,300 vehicles from the Amarok range (18,500; -0.9 per cent)
• 10,500 vehicles from the Crafter range (10,900; -3.3 per cent) 

While deliveries of the Crafter declined in Q1 by 3.3 per cent compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the market launch of the new model was already noticeable in March: a substantial increase of 16.9 per cent. 

WORLDWIDE SALES - VW COMMERCIAL - the commercial arm of VW continues to buck the parent company trend with more growth.

• 3.0 per cent more deliveries in Western Europe 
• Caddy model range achieves clear growth of 14.0 per cent 

In the first two months of this year Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles delivered 68,200 vehicles to customers worldwide. This represents an increase of 2.0 per cent compared with the same period last year. In Western Europe deliveries increased by 3.0 per cent in January and February to 46,600 vehicles.

In the German home market, 17,700 vehicles were handed over to customers (+1.2 per cent). Sales also increased in Spain (+17.8 per cent to 2,200 vehicles) and Italy (+1.6 per cent to 1,800 vehicles). 

In France 2,600 vehicles were handed over to customers (-5.4 per cent), in the United Kingdom 4,200 vehicles (-6.2 per cent).

Deliveries of 5,300 vehicles in Eastern Europe corresponded to an increase of 9.3 per cent for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Outside Europe growth was also recorded in the regions of North America (up +26.7 per cent to 1,600 vehicles), Asia Pacific (up +11.7 per cent to 3,200 vehicles) and South America (up +2.8 per cent to 6,200 vehicles).  

The markets in Africa (-0.5 per cent to 1,800 vehicles) recorded a fall in vehicle deliveries in the first two months of the year. The same applied to markets in the Middle East (-28.2 per cent to 3,300 vehicles) – first and foremost on account of the volatile political situation in Turkey.

Due to the model changeover, worldwide deliveries of the Crafter fell by 20.2 per cent to 4,700 vehicles. The new Crafter was launched on 10 March in Germany, Austria, Poland and the United Kingdom and can now be ordered from dealers. Further countries will follow. 

Worldwide deliveries of the brand by model range (January and February 2017):

• 26,500 vehicles from the T model range (27,100; -2.2 per cent)
• 25,300 vehicles from the Caddy model range (22,200; +14.0  per cent)
• 11,640 vehicles from the Amarok model range (11,610; +0.3 per cent)
• 4,700 vehicles from the Crafter model range (5,900; -20.2 per cent)

WORLDWIDE SALES JAN - VW COMMERCIAL - The Crafter dips as the new model comes out, whilst the rest mean a 12.1% increase.

• 15.1 per cent more deliveries in Western Europe
• 13.8 per cent growth on the German domestic market
• Clear growth for the T, Caddy and Amarok ranges

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles started the New Year with a delivery increase of 12.1 per cent. This corresponds to 35,000 vehicles delivered to customers around the world in January. Western Europe remains the largest sales market with 24,200 vehicles (+15.1 per cent).

In the home German market, 8,800 vehicles were handed over to customers in January (+13.8 per cent). 

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also recorded increases in the key European markets of Spain (up +29.0 per cent to 1,000 vehicles), France (up +27.9 per cent to 1,600 vehicles) and Italy (up +10.5 per cent to 900 vehicles). 

In Great Britain, 2,400 units were handed over to customers (-5.4 per cent).

In Eastern Europe a clear increase of 12.3 per cent was achieved with 2,600 vehicles delivered.

Outside Europe the regions North America (+22.9 per cent to 700 vehicles), South America (+17.8 per cent to 3,600 vehicles), Africa (+9.5 per cent to 900 vehicles) and Asia-Pacific (+3.5 per cent to 1,400 vehicles) increased their deliveries.  

The markets in the Middle East recorded a fall in vehicle deliveries in January (-24.7 per cent to 1,500 vehicles).

Worldwide deliveries of the brand by model range:

• 13,200 vehicles from the T model range (12,400; +6.5 per cent)
• 13,100 vehicles from the Caddy range (10,300; +28.2 per cent)
• 6,200 vehicles from the Amarok range (5,700; +8.9 per cent)
• 2,300 vehicles from the Crafter range (2,800; -15.7 per cent)

Europe's biggest selling All Electric commercial Vehicle is the Nissan e-NV200.

• The all-electric Nissan e-NV200 is the best-selling electric van in 2016, across 17 countries in Europe
• Total Nissan e-NV200 sales increased by 7 percent in 2016
• UK, Norway and France are the top three markets for e-NV200 sales
• Nissan offers a five year / 60,000 mile warranty on all new Nissan e-NV200s

The Nissan e-NV200 topped the charts to become Europe’s best-selling electric van in 2016.* The award-winning all-electric van ranked number one in 17 countries across Europe, ahead of its competitors in the category.

The UK is the top market in Europe for Nissan e-NV200, followed closely by Norway and France. Sales were up 20% on the previous year and alongside the LEAF, Nissan’s electric vehicle models command almost 50% of the entire EV market in the UK. 

In the UK, sales of e-NV200 have more than doubled since launching in 2014 with the model claiming just over 82% market share in 2016.

With overall Nissan e-NV200 sales up 7 percent in 2016 compared to the previous year with 4,319 units registered throughout Europe, it is clear the popularity of this 100 percent electric van is on the rise.

Gareth Dunsmore, Director of Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe, said: “As more and more businesses focus on reducing their carbon footprint, the need to find zero emission transport solutions is becoming more important than ever. Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, we are working towards a sustainable future and our e-NV200 complements our vision perfectly whilst catering to a wide range of customer needs.

“Aside from its obvious environmental advantages, e-NV200 owners also benefit from its low-running costs, starting from as little as two pence per mile, a smooth and near-silent ride and 40 percent lower servicing costs when compared with an equivalent diesel vehicle.”

Nissan e-NV200 customers can also benefit from Nissan’s recently introduced five year / 60,000 mile warranty** on new e-NV200s. The five year warranty covers mechanical and electrical vehicle components, battery capacity, corrosion (up to 12 years) and roadside assistance.

The Nissan e-NV200 is the perfect transport solution for families and businesses alike, combining the best of Nissan’s NV200 van with zero-emission technology from the world’s best–selling electric car, the Nissan LEAF. Available in both commercial van and fully trimmed Combi and Evalia passenger variants, the e-NV200 line-up offers a variety of options to suit every requirement; including a panel van, five-seat and seven-seat option and a driving range of up to 106 miles on a single charge.***

*Based on consolidated registration figures from official sources in Europe on December 31^st, 2016 (all Europe except Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, and Moldova).

**The Basic Vehicles Warranty according to 3.1 of the Warranty Booklet and Maintenance Record is extended to five-Year (from the warranty start date)/ 60,000 mile (whichever comes first) warranty for e-NV200. Body parts and paint excluded during year four and year five. Terms and exclusions apply accordingly, for further information please see Extended Warranty Terms and Conditions. Apart from the afore-mentioned, all warranty conditions included in the Warranty Booklet and Maintenance Record remain unchanged. Issuer of this Extended Warranty is Nissan International Insurance Ltd.

***A range of up to 106 miles per full charge (based on new European Driving Cycle). Actual consumption and range may vary due to driving style road condition, air-conditioning and other factors outside our control.

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.