Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV), German: Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge (VWN), is a German manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars company, it is now a separate brand and marque of the Volkswagen Group.

In 1995, Dr Bernd Wiedemann, former Chairman of the management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, announced Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as a separate marque to Volkswagen Passenger Cars.^[1]

Company highlights

1940s

1947

Volkswagen Dutch importer Ben Pon sketches a van based on Beetle components which becomes the legendary Type 2 Transporter range after seeing the Volkswagen Beetle-based Plattenwagen.^[1]

1949

Volkswagen General Director Heinrich Nordhoff approves Ben Pon's sketch for production.^[1]

1949

the first prototype was unveiled in Wolfsburg christened "Bulli"; On November 12 the production Bulli was launched officially to the public.

1950s

1950

full production began, Bulli was renamed Type 2 Transporter due to "Bulli" being trademarked by another company.^[1]

1954

Volkswagen celebrates production of 100,000th Type 2 Transporter at Wolfsburg plant.^[1]

1956

the first Type 2 Transporter rolls off the Hanover plant.^[1]

1960s

1962

1,000,000th Transporter leaves production line in Hanover.^[1]

1967

the 2nd generation Type 2 Transporter (T2) is released.^[1]

1968

the 2,000,000th Transporter leaves production line in Hanover.^[1]

1970s

1975

the 1st generation of the "LastenTransporter" LT is released which opens the door to Volkswagen in the light truck sector.^[1]

1977

the 4.5 Millionth Transporter is produced.

1978

a six cylinder diesel engine is introduced for the LT range in August expanding the range with the LT 40 and LT 45.

1979

the 3rd generation Type 2 Transporter (T3) is released.^[1]

1980s

1980

a diesel engine is added to the Type 2 Transporter (T3) range.^[1]

1981

Hanover celebrates 25 years of producing the Transporter range. In March the 5 millionth unit is produced.^[1]

Volkswagen Caminhoes Ltd starts building medium sized trucks in Brazil.

1982

Watercooled petrol engines (wasserboxer) are added to the German Transporter (T3) range.

The Caddy Ute, which is based on the Golf, is launched to the public.^[1]

1983

the luxurious Caravelle MPV is launched into the T3 range.^[1]

1985

VWCV launch the four-wheel drive syncro Transporter T3

Volkswagenwerk GmbH changes its name to VOLKSWAGEN AG.^[1]

1986

the 6 millionth Transporter is produced.

1987

the Volkswagen California motorhome is introduced into the range.

1989

the first Volkswagen Taro leaves the Hanover assembly lines.

1990s

1990

the 4th generation Transporter/Multivan (T4) is released, VWCV celebrates 40 years of the Transporter, 6 million have been produced since its 1950 introduction.^[1]

1992

a joint venture with Ching Chung Motor Co. Ltd. is founded in Taipei, Taiwan.

Volkswagen AG has 1/3 capital in the company and from 1993 the T4 Transporter is produced there.

1994

the 500,000th Transporter/Multivan (T4) leaves production line in Hanover.^[1]

The Volkswagen L80 is launched onto the German market.

1995

Dr Bernd Wiedemann, Chairman of the Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, announces the formation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as an independent Volkswagen Group marque.^[1]

1996

The Type 9K Caddy Panel Van^[1] and Type 9U Caddy are released on the market.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle unit launch a joint venture to replace their aging large vans, the jointly developed Volkswagen LT and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are launched onto the market with success.^[1]

2000s

2000

VWCV celebrate 50 years of building the legendary Transporter/Multivan (T4) range.^[1]

VWCV takes charge of the Volkswagen Truck and Bus operations.

2003

the fifth generation T5 Transporter and passenger-oriented Caravelle / Multivan MPV are released.^[1]

2004

the T5 Transporter range wins UK's What Van? Van of the Year, the all new Type 2K Caddy is released, Caddy now has Golf Mk5 front suspension.^[1]

2005

the 7-seat passenger-oriented Caddy Life is released.^[2]

2006

the replacement to the Volkswagen LT the Volkswagen Crafter is revealed;^[3] this time it is built alongside its joint venture twin the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Ludwigsfelde, Germany.

The Volkswagen Crafter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter wins the What Van? "Van of the Year Award"^[4] and What Van? "Large Panel Van of the Year",^[4] also VWCV wins the What Van? "Technology Award"^[4] for its DSG transmission in the Caddy van.

2007

Stephan Schaller replaced Dr. Bernd Wiedemann as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Managing Director,^[5] also an LWB Caddy called Caddy Maxi will be released.

The Caddy and Volkswagen Crafter win Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine's Small and Large Van of the Year Awards.^[6]

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles builds its 10 millionth Transporter in the month of November.^[7]

2008

Volkswagen AG sells Volkswagen Truck and Bus to MAN AG.

At the IAA in Hanover Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles revealed various new models including the new fourth global line in the guise of a Concept Pickup, Caddy 4Motion, Caddy PanAmericana Study and Crafter BlueMotion Study.^[8]

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK revealed the Caddy Sportline range.^[9]

2009

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles operations in Brazil revealed the new fifth-generation Saveiro utility for emerging markets.^[10]

VWCV reveal at IAA Frankfurt the T5 Transporter facelift which includes new engines and technology to benefit the class.^[11]

Volkswagen Amarok is launched in December at an event in General Pacheco, Argentina with the President of Argentina Cristina Kirchner attending.^[12]

Following the Launch in Argentina; Volkswagen Amarok was a key support vehicle in the 2010 Dakar Rally with 45 vehicles participating.^[13]

2010s

2010

February Wolfgang Schreiber is appointed the new chief of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles but the title is renamed Speaker of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. ^[14]

Unique Volkswagen commercial vehicles

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles have made some rare commercial vehicles in its 50 plus years of producing commercial vehicles. One of them was a small postal van which was built at the request of the German Postal Services, in 1964 the Type 147 or Kleinlieferwagen was made, it has also coined the nickname Fridolin.

From 1975-1979, VWCV produced for developing countries a small FWD truck called the Volkswagen EA489 Basistransporter, with a rudimentary chassis and basic metal sheeting. It was easily manufactured from semi knocked down kits into a light truck.^[15]

In 1989, VWCV partnered Toyota to build the Toyota Hilux pick-up truck rebadged as a Volkswagen Taro. This partnership was to help Toyota build sales in Europe and give VW a vehicle in the 1 tonne pick-up segment. The venture was not a huge success, and it split in the late 1990s.^[16]

MAN AG / Volkswagen AG joint venture 1977-93

Volkswagen's first joint venture into trucks outside of their own LT range was with MAN Nutzfahrzeuge (Commercial Vehicles) from 1977-1993. Truck production started in 1979 and ended in 1993 with 72,000 units produced. It was available with four engines and four wheelbases over its lifetime; there was also a 4X4 version called 8.150 FAE. FAE means "forward control" cab, all-wheel drive, single tyres so the F nomenclature means "forward control" cab.

MAN AG supplied engines which were available in inline-four and inline-six cylinder engine configurations, with DIN rated motive power outputs of:

• 67 kilowatts (91 PS; 90 bhp)
• 75 kilowatts (102 PS; 101 bhp)
• 101 kilowatts (137 PS; 135 bhp)
• 112 kilowatts (152 PS; 150 bhp)

MAN AG replaced the G series as it was known internally with the L2000 and M2000 ranges.

VWCV and MAN shared the project development in accordance with the collaboration agreement as follows:

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles took care of:

• the tilting driver's cab including steering wheel and fixing, hand levers and foot pedals.

NOTE the VW LT Mk 1 cabin was used for the MAN-VW range, the cabins are wider than the standard LT cabins so they can fit the truck chassis

• the complete interior equipment and heating
• the manual gearbox with clutch and gear lever, the rear axle with rear-axle transmission and suspension
• the cardan shafts including bearings
• the electrical system for the entire concept, and the platforms for the standard design.

MAN was responsible for:

• the engine including cooling, exhaust, inlet and fuel system
• the front axle with suspension and steering
• the frame with all parts for attaching the springs and axles, the steering, the batteries, the power braking system and fuel system
• the brakes, i.e. for the complete wheel brakes front and rear, the dual-circuit power brakes and parking brake
• the wheels and tyres
• the platform for special designs and tipping mechanism.

MAN-VWCVs were built in Volkswagen's Hanover factory until other Volkswagen models took priority; they were then made at MAN AG's Salzgitter-Watenstedt factory.

MAN-VWCV Range 6.90, 8.90, 6.100, 8.136, 8.100, 8.150, 9.136, 9.150 & 10.136. F & FAE are sometimes on the end of some of these model numbers.

Several models of the MAN-VWCV and the VWCV LT ranges were marketed in Spain by Enasa as Pegaso Ekus, in a typical badge engineering operation.

Some of this article contains excerpts from MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG article dated Munich, April 2005. MAN-VW History Article.

Current VWCV models

Car derived

• Volkswagen Caddy

Vans

• Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
• Volkswagen Caravelle
• Volkswagen California
• Volkswagen Crafter

Future

Park Assist

VW's self parking system which debuted on the Volkswagen Touran is expected to be developed for the next Caddy and Crafter generations.^[17]

India

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is studying the Indian Commercial and Bus market and is planning on entering the market with a joint venture initiative.^[18]

Interest was shown by customers after the VWCV display at India's Auto Expo.^[19]

China

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is studying the viability of manufacturing in China.^[20]

VWCV gallery

See also

• list of German cars
• Volkswagen Trucks and Buses

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x} "A brief history of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles". volkswagen-vans.co.uk. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/company/volkswagen-heritage/. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
2. ^ VW Media Services http://www.volkswagen-media-services.com/medias_publish/ms/content/en/pressemitteilungen/2005/03/01/geneva_motor_show.standard.gid-oeffentlichkeit.html
3. ^ Volkswagen Crafter: third generation light commercial vehicle • Global Auto Index News
4. ^ ^{a b c} "Press releases". volkswagen-vans.co.uk. http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/press-releases/what-van-awards/. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
5. ^ Stephan Schaller to be head of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles • Transport News Network
6. ^ Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles scoop double award
7. ^ Volkswagen Transporter Passes Production Milestone
8. ^ Posted by phaeton (2008-09-23). "VW News Blog: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles seeks continued growth with new products". vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com. http://vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com/2008/09/volkswagen-commercial-vehicles-seeks.html. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
9. ^ Posted by phaeton (2008-10-25). "VW News Blog: New Caddy Sportline Models add Excitment (sic) to the Range". vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com. http://vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-caddy-sportline-models-add_24.html. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
10. ^ Posted by phaeton (2009-08-26). "VW News Blog: New Saveiro reaches the market fully renovated with Space Cab option". vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com. http://vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-saveiro-reaches-market-fully.html. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
11. ^ Posted by phaeton (2009-08-19). "VW News Blog: New generation of the Transporter, Multivan, Caravelle and California". vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com. http://vwphaetonfan.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-generation-of-transporter-multivan.html. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
12. ^ http://www.auto-car-shop.com/2009/12/volkswagen-amarok-2010-all-on-his-official-presentation/
13. ^ http://www.volkswagen-motorsport.com/web/news/index.php?&flash=ok&lg=e&st=410&id=3285
14. ^ http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/news/2010/02/Personell.html
15. ^ http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/ws_oct_2000/Weird_Vans02.html
16. ^ Volkswagens of the World by Simon Glen pages 151 and 152
17. ^ Volkswagen confirms commercial Park Assist
18. ^ "Volkswagen eyes trucks, partner in India - report | Industries | Consumer Goods & Retail". Reuters. 2008-09-25. http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSBOM3439520080925. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
19. ^ VW Media Services
20. ^ "Volkswagen Seeks Record 2008 Truck, Bus Sales, Growth in 2009". bloomberg.com. 2008-09-23. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=a_h8vXMeUWwM&refer=europe. Retrieved 2009-04-27.

External links

official sites

• Volkswagen-Commercial-Vehicles.com - International portal
• Volkswagen-Nutzfahrzeuge.de Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge (Commercial Vehicles) Germany (German)
• Volkswagen-Vans.co.uk official Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (UK) site
• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles South Africa
• Volkswagen Australia Commercial Vehicles
• Hannover (Germany) Plant Sustainability site
• Poznan (Poland) Plant Sustainability site
• Resende (Brazil) Plant Sustainability site
• Umbauten.de - official Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles conversions for special vehicles including wheelchair accessible conversions

unaffiliated sites

• South African Constellation & Volksbus Specifications
• Brick-Yard UK - Caddy & Transporter/Multivan & LT/Crafter Forums (English)
• Australian VW Vans Forum

Categories: Volkswagen | Volkswagen vehicles | Bus manufacturers | Truck manufacturers | Companies of Germany | German brands | Motor vehicle manufacturers of Germany