JANUARY SALES - VOLKSWAGEN - WORLDWIDE - VW's sales drop in January.

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered 507,100 (January 2014: 521,600) vehicles to customers worldwide in the first month of this year, 2.8 per cent down on the same month of the prior year. “Deliveries by the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand show we are facing a challenging year. 

Volkswagen was not immune to the uncertainties in some regions that have continued into the current year,” Christian  Klingler, Board Member for Sales and Marketing for the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, commented in Wolfsburg on Wednesday.

Developments in the global delivery situation in the first month of the year were mixed. 

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand handed over 124,900 (126,100; -1.0 per cent) vehicles to customers on the overall European market in January. Compared with the same month ofthe prior year, 66,100 (66,200; -0.1 per cent) units were delivered inWestern Europe (excluding Germany). The company handed over 42,900 (41,400; +3.4 per cent) vehicles in Germany. 

15,900 (18,500; -14.2 per cent) customers took possession of a new Volkswagen in Central and Eastern Europe in January, of which 6,200 (8,600; -28.3 per cent) units were delivered in Russia.

The brand delivered 282,000 (285,300; -1.2 per cent) vehicles in the Asia-Pacific region in January, of which 265,900 (267,800; -0.7 per cent) were handed over to customers in China (incl. Hong Kong). In contrast, deliveries in the North America region grew to 41,800 (39,700; +5.3 per cent). Volkswagen handed over 23,500 vehicles to customers in the United States, matching the figure for Januaryof last year. 

Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 45,200 (55,200; -18.1 per cent) units in the South America region, of which 34,200 (40,300; -15.2 per cent) were handed over to customers in Brazil.

Volkswagen Cleans up and commercial Vehicle awards ceremony.

• Transporter named ‘Best Crew Van’
• Amarok wins ‘Best Utility Pick-Up’ and ‘Best Double Cab’ awards
• Caddy awarded ‘Best Local Delivery Van’
• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles presented with ‘Best Service Package for Van Owners’ and ‘BestFinance Package for Van Owners’ awards

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is celebrating a stunning trophy haul at the annual Business Van Awards. The brand swept the board on its way to collecting six out of 12 category awards.

Volkswagen scooped the manufacturer awards for Best Service Package and Best Finance Package. In addition, the brand also claimed Best Crew Van for Transporter, Best Local Delivery Van for Caddy, plus Best Utility Pick-Up and Best Double Cab for the Amarok.

Announcing the results before an industry audience, Business Vans’ editorial director, Ralph Morton, commented:

Best Crew Van – Transporter

‘It’s not just the Transporter panel van version that shines out for SME van operators, when it comes to carrying people to various jobs, the Kombi variant is a winner too.

‘But the real appeal of a Kombi is that it can be a tax-efficient dual use vehicle. For someone in the trades the Transporter Kombi is a brilliant, smart and professional-looking working van during the day, which can then double for family use at the weekends. It means you won’t need an additional car – the Kombi does it all.’

Best Local Delivery Van – Caddy

‘The VW Caddy is compact – just what you need for local delivery work – but this Volkswagen van also has a choice of payloads and 3.2m³ of load capacity and can take loads up to 1.78m. So it’s big on performance.

‘Add in the fact the Caddy is smart, has legendary VW build quality and reliability and carries the professional image that goes with the Volkswagen nameplate, and you have an excellent winner of our local delivery van category.’

Best Utility Pick-Up and Best Double Cab – Amarok

‘We do like a pick-up here at Business Vans and despite challenges from rivals, the Volkswagen Amarok remains top of the pile, whether it’s a do-it-all utility version you want or a more upmarket double cab.

‘Why does it remain our favourite? Outside it looks tough and on the road you feel like you’re ready for anything, the bed area is practical and spacious, yet inside it is comfortable with a car-like feel and comfy ride. Add in Volkswagen reliability and low running costs, and you can see why the Amarok remains king of the pick-ups.’

Best Service Package for Van Owners – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

‘The judges were impressed by Volkswagen’s service offering and the back-up provided by the brand’s dedicated Van Centre network, which features extended hours, fast emergency repairs and courtesy vehicles that are vital for busy small businesses.’

Best Finance Package – Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

‘It’s not only the award-winning vans and pick-ups that are so right for small businesses, Volkswagen also supports its commercial vehicles with award winning finance. For those in the trades and other small businesses, Volkswagen offers the complete package. Why go anywhere else?’

Commenting on the awards success, Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, added: ‘To get such recognition demonstrates the strength of the brand and the quality of our products. This is another excellent result for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and proves that our vans make sense for small or large van buyers. 

‘Winning the best finance package and best service awards is particularly pleasing as it shows that our dedicated Van Centres are doing a great job of getting people on the road and keeping them moving!’

UK SALES - VW COMMERCIAL - More records fall for Volkswagen, with its UK commerical division

• Record UK registrations of more than 44,000 vehicles in 2014– up 8.4per cent on 2013
• UK market share of 12.4 per cent
• Crafter deliveries up 38.4 per cent
• Amarok registrations up 20.4 per cent
• Volkswagen cements number two position in the LCV sector

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is celebrating a record-breaking 2014 with best-ever annual new vehicle registrations. A total of 40,624 light commercial vehicles were registered, up 9.0 per cent from 37,267 in 2013. The brand also registered 3,673 passenger carriers and camper vans, taking total UK registrations to 44,297 up 8.4 per cent on 2013 (40,857).

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles maintained its number two position in the light commercial vehicles sector, recording a market share of 12.4 per cent.

Every vehicle in the brand’s multi award-winning model range played its part in the success. Transporter accounted for 18,593 registrations, compared with 16,663 in 2013 – up 11.6 per cent. The Caddy remained as popular as ever, with 12,292 new vehicles making their way to new customers.

Crafter registrations soared in 2014 to a record 7,130, up 38.4 per cent on 2013 (5,153), while demand for the all-conquering Amarok increased by 20.4 per cent (3,080), when compared with 2013 (2,559).

Carl zu Dohna, Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, commented: ‘Our vans are proving more popular than ever, not just because of their quality and comfort, but also because of our strong residuals and the service support provided from our dedicated Van Centre network.

These are strong results and everyone involved in the brand deserves a huge thank you. We will carry this strong performance and phenomenal momentum into 2015, as we embark on a truly exciting year.’