When the going gets tough the tough get growing

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has increased its share of the UK commercial vehicle market by nearly one per cent in 2008, and also maintained its position as the number one van importer. Globally, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles sold a record number of 503,025 vehicles (+2.9 per cent).

Tough economic conditions saw registrations across Volkswagen’s sectors of the new commercial vehicle market fall by 13.7 per cent, or 47,576 less vehicles than last year. By comparison, Volkswagen’s total registrations of commercial vehicles fell by only 4.9 per cent (1,350 units), to 26,427 vehicles, while its market share grew to 8.8 per cent.

Highlights of the year for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles included: the launch of the Caddy Maxi panel van and seven-seater Life MPV, which added nearly 2,000 registrations (1,365 panel vans, 547 Life); expansion of the stylish Sportline range to include Caddy and Caddy Maxi; competitive finance offers to help customers budget their cash flow; the graduation of record numbers of master technicians from Volkswagen’s apprenticeship programme; and the development of the dedicated Volkswagen Van Centre network with new facilities at Croydon and Glasgow.

Once again, the popular Transporter was Volkswagen UK’s best selling commercial vehicle, followed by the Caddy, Crafter and the new Caddy Maxi, respectively.

‘It is all about supporting our customers’ demands and serving the market with offers that are relevant to them,’ said Simon Elliott, who joined as Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in August 2008.

‘It must be reassuring for customers to see Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles standing by its reputation, protecting the residual values of its customers’ investments, and supporting them with affordable finance solutions and a credible and committed Van Centre network. I couldn’t have joined a better or stronger brand in the commercial vehicle sector. We are ready to grow our market share again in 2009,’ he continued.

Commenting on the brand’s record sales worldwide in 2008, particularly in Central and East Europe, Stephan Schaller, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: ‘Despite the difficult market trends in the second six months of the year we have achieved the best ever sales in the history of our company which we are proud of, and rightly so. Of course, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles cannot avoid the changed economic environment, but we are holding on to our long-term goal of selling 750,000 commercial vehicles by the year 2018. The new pick-up, further new products and entering new markets will continue to strengthen the sales and profitable growth of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand in the coming years,’ he continued.

The Transporter was Volkswagen’s best-selling model, with 178,000 going to customers across the world in 2008, followed by the Caddy (151,570) and Crafter (51,100). The UK remains its largest export market.