Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Encyclopedia
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV), (VWN), is a German
manufacturer of commercial vehicle
s. 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.
range after seeing the Volkswagen Beetle
-based Plattenwagen
.
1949: Volkswagen General Director Heinrich Nordhoff
approves Ben Pon's sketch for production.
1949: the first prototype was unveiled in Wolfsburg
christened "Bulli"; On November 12 the production Bulli was launched officially to the public.
due to "Bulli" being trademarked by another company.
1954: Volkswagen celebrates production of 100,000th Type 2 Transporter at Wolfsburg plant.
1956: the first Type 2 Transporter
rolls off the Hanover
plant.
1967: the 2nd generation Type 2 Transporter
(T2) is released.
1968: the 2,000,000th Transporter leaves production line in Hanover.
is released which opens the door to Volkswagen in the light truck sector.
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.
is added to the Type 2 Transporter (T3) range.
1981
1982
1983: the luxurious Caravelle
MPV is launched into the T3 range.
1985
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.
1992
1994
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.
1996
2003: the fifth generation T5 Transporter
and passenger-oriented Caravelle / Multivan
MPV are released.
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.
2005: the 7-seat passenger-oriented Caddy
Life is released.
2006
2007
2008
2009
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.
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.
into truck
s 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 wheelbase
s 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 configuration
s, with DIN
rated motive
power
outputs of:
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:
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
MAN was responsible for:
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.
see also Volkswagen Trucks and Buses
Volkswagen
self parking system Park Assist which is featured on such models as the Touran
, Tiguan
and Passat
is being developed for implementation on the next Caddy and Crafter.
E-Mobility
Volkswagen Commerical Vehicles will trial an Electric powered Caddy blue-e-motion panel van later in 2011
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is studying the Indian Commercial and Bus market. Interest was shown by prospective customers at the VW display at India's 2008 Auto Expo and VW is considering entering the market with a joint venture initiative.
China
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is studying the viability of manufacturing in China.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
manufacturer of commercial vehicle
Commercial vehicle
A commercial vehicle is a type of motor vehicle that may be used for transporting goods or passengers. The European Union defines "commercial motor vehicle" as any motorised road vehicle, which by its type of construction and equipment is designed for, and capable of transporting, whether for...
s. Originally part of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
company, it is now a separate brand and marque of the Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
.
In 1995, Dr Bernd Wiedemann, former Chairman
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
of the management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, announced Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as a separate marque to Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
1940s
1947: Volkswagen Dutch importer Ben Pon sketches a van based on Beetle components which becomes the legendary Type 2 TransporterVolkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2, officially known as the Transporter or Kombi informally as Bus or Camper , was a panel van introduced in 1950 by German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model – following and initially deriving from Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 , it was given the factory...
range after seeing the Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
-based Plattenwagen
Volkswagen Plattenwagen
The Volkswagen Plattenwagen was never sold to the public, and was used only by the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg as a parts runabout.When Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon visited the Wolfsburg factory in 1947, he spotted a Plattenwagen based on the Volkswagen Beetle. This gave him the idea for a...
.
1949: Volkswagen General Director Heinrich Nordhoff
Heinrich Nordhoff
Heinz Heinrich Nordhoff was a German engineer famous for his leadership of the Volkswagen company as it was rebuilt after World War II....
approves Ben Pon's sketch for production.
1949: the first prototype was unveiled in Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg
Wolfsburg is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is located on the River Aller northeast of Braunschweig , and is mainly notable as the headquarters of Volkswagen AG...
christened "Bulli"; On November 12 the production Bulli was launched officially to the public.
1950s
1950: full production began, Bulli was renamed Type 2 TransporterVolkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2, officially known as the Transporter or Kombi informally as Bus or Camper , was a panel van introduced in 1950 by German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model – following and initially deriving from Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 , it was given the factory...
due to "Bulli" being trademarked by another company.
1954: Volkswagen celebrates production of 100,000th Type 2 Transporter at Wolfsburg plant.
1956: the first Type 2 Transporter
Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2, officially known as the Transporter or Kombi informally as Bus or Camper , was a panel van introduced in 1950 by German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model – following and initially deriving from Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 , it was given the factory...
rolls off the Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
plant.
1960s
1962: 1,000,000th Transporter leaves production line in Hanover.1967: the 2nd generation Type 2 Transporter
Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2, officially known as the Transporter or Kombi informally as Bus or Camper , was a panel van introduced in 1950 by German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model – following and initially deriving from Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 , it was given the factory...
(T2) is released.
1968: the 2,000,000th Transporter leaves production line in Hanover.
1970s
1975: the 1st generation of the "LastenTransporter" LTVolkswagen LT
The Volkswagen LT was the largest light commercial vehicle panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006...
is released which opens the door to Volkswagen in the light truck sector.
1977: the 4.5 Millionth Transporter
Volkswagen Type 2
The Volkswagen Type 2, officially known as the Transporter or Kombi informally as Bus or Camper , was a panel van introduced in 1950 by German automaker Volkswagen as its second car model – following and initially deriving from Volkswagen's first model, the Type 1 , it was given the factory...
is produced.
1978: a six cylinder diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
is introduced for the LT
Volkswagen LT
The Volkswagen LT was the largest light commercial vehicle panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006...
range in August expanding the range with the LT 40 and LT 45.
1979: the 3rd generation Type 2 Transporter
Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)
The Volkswagen Type 2 was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was marketed under various nameplates worldwide – including as the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa and as the Vanagon in North and South America.Larger and heavier than its...
(T3) is released.
1980s
1980: a diesel engineDiesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
is added to the Type 2 Transporter (T3) range.
1981
- Hanover celebrates 25 years of producing the Transporter range. In March the 5 millionth unit is produced.
- Volkswagen Caminhoes Ltd starts building medium sized trucks in BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
1982
- Watercooled petrol enginePetrol engineA petrol engine is an internal combustion engine with spark-ignition, designed to run on petrol and similar volatile fuels....
s (wasserboxerWasserboxerThe Volkswagen wasserboxer is a four cylinder horizontally opposed pushrod overhead-valve petrol engine developed by Volkswagen. The engine is water-cooled, and takes its name from the ; which when translated into English, means "water-boxer" - or water-cooled boxer - with 'boxer' being an...
) are added to the German TransporterVolkswagen Type 2 (T3)The Volkswagen Type 2 was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was marketed under various nameplates worldwide – including as the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa and as the Vanagon in North and South America.Larger and heavier than its...
(T3) range. - The CaddyVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
Ute, which is based on the Golf, is launched to the public.
1983: the luxurious Caravelle
Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)
The Volkswagen Type 2 was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was marketed under various nameplates worldwide – including as the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa and as the Vanagon in North and South America.Larger and heavier than its...
MPV is launched into the T3 range.
1985
- VWCV launch the four-wheel driveFour-wheel driveFour-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
syncro4motion4motion is a registered trademark of Volkswagen AG, used exclusively on Volkswagen-branded automobiles which utilise four-wheel drive systems. Volkswagen has previously used the term "Syncro" for its 4WD models....
Transporter T3Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)The Volkswagen Type 2 was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was marketed under various nameplates worldwide – including as the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa and as the Vanagon in North and South America.Larger and heavier than its... - Volkswagenwerk GmbH changes its name to VOLKSWAGEN AG.
1986: the 6 millionth Transporter
Volkswagen Type 2 (T3)
The Volkswagen Type 2 was the third generation of the Volkswagen Transporter and was marketed under various nameplates worldwide – including as the Transporter or Caravelle in Europe, Microbus in South Africa and as the Vanagon in North and South America.Larger and heavier than its...
is produced.
1987: the Volkswagen California
Volkswagen California
The Volkswagen California is based on the T5 Multivan by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles . It is the first campervan designed and built in-house by VWCV Special Business Unit, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.-California history:...
motorhome is introduced into the range.
1989: the first Volkswagen Taro
Volkswagen Taro
In January 1989, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles introduced a 1 tonne pickup truck, called the Volkswagen Taro, to complement the half tonne Caddy pickup / panel van ranges, and the 1 tonne Transporter van and chassis cab ranges....
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.1992
- a joint venture with Ching Chung Motor Co. Ltd. is founded in TaipeiTaipeiTaipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. - 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 HanoverHanoverHanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
. - The Volkswagen L80Volkswagen L80In 1994 Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Europe and Volkswagen of Brazil launched the jointly developed L80 light truck for the European market....
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
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
marque.
1996
- The Type 9K CaddyVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
Panel Van and Type 9U CaddyVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
are released on the market. - Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Mercedes-BenzMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
commercial vehicle unit launch a joint ventureJoint ventureA joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
to replace their aging large vans, the jointly developed Volkswagen LTVolkswagen LTThe Volkswagen LT was the largest light commercial vehicle panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006...
and Mercedes-Benz SprinterMercedes-Benz SprinterThe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light and heavy commercial vehicle, built by Daimler AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a van, chassis cab and minibus, and sold as a Mercedes model, except in the U.S. where it is built from complete knock down kits and was sold by Freightliner until 2010 when Mercedes...
are launched onto the market with success.
2000s
2000- VWCV celebrate 50 years of building the legendary Transporter/Multivan (T4) range.
- VWCV takes charge of the Volkswagen Truck and Bus operations.
2003: the fifth generation T5 Transporter
Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people mover Caravelle/Multivan range...
and passenger-oriented Caravelle / Multivan
Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people mover Caravelle/Multivan range...
MPV are released.
2004: the T5 Transporter
Volkswagen Transporter (T5)
The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people mover Caravelle/Multivan range...
range wins UK's What Van? Van of the Year, the all new Type 2K Caddy
Volkswagen Caddy
Released in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
is released, Caddy
Volkswagen Caddy
Released in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
now has Golf Mk5
Volkswagen Golf Mk5
The fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5 , built on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. To commemorate this, Wolfsburg was renamed "Golfsburg" for a week. It reached North American markets in June...
front suspension.
2005: the 7-seat passenger-oriented Caddy
Volkswagen Caddy
Released in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
Life is released.
2006
- the replacement to the Volkswagen LTVolkswagen LTThe Volkswagen LT was the largest light commercial vehicle panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006...
the Volkswagen CrafterVolkswagen CrafterThe Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest 3 to 5 tonne van sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It is the third generation of the Volkswagen LT truck, which has been in production since 1975....
is revealed; this time it is built alongside its joint venture twin the Mercedes-Benz SprinterMercedes-Benz SprinterThe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light and heavy commercial vehicle, built by Daimler AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a van, chassis cab and minibus, and sold as a Mercedes model, except in the U.S. where it is built from complete knock down kits and was sold by Freightliner until 2010 when Mercedes...
at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Ludwigsfelde, Germany. - The Volkswagen CrafterVolkswagen CrafterThe Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest 3 to 5 tonne van sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It is the third generation of the Volkswagen LT truck, which has been in production since 1975....
and Mercedes-Benz SprinterMercedes-Benz SprinterThe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light and heavy commercial vehicle, built by Daimler AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a van, chassis cab and minibus, and sold as a Mercedes model, except in the U.S. where it is built from complete knock down kits and was sold by Freightliner until 2010 when Mercedes...
wins the What Van? "Van of the Year Award" and What Van? "Large Panel Van of the Year", also VWCV wins the What Van? "Technology Award" for its DSG transmission in the Caddy vanVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
.
2007
- Stephan Schaller replaced Dr. Bernd Wiedemann as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Managing Director, also an LWB CaddyVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
called Caddy Maxi will be released. - The CaddyVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
and Volkswagen CrafterVolkswagen CrafterThe Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest 3 to 5 tonne van sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It is the third generation of the Volkswagen LT truck, which has been in production since 1975....
win Professional Van and Light Truck MagazineProfessional Van and Light Truck MagazineiVan is a United Kingdom based automotive industry magazine, which tracks the light commercial vehicle industry, and was first issued in September 2003....
's Small and Large Van of the Year Awards. - Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles builds its 10 millionth Transporter in the month of November.
2008
- Volkswagen AGVolkswagen GroupVolkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
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 4MotionVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
, Caddy PanAmericana StudyVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
and Crafter BlueMotion StudyVolkswagen CrafterThe Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest 3 to 5 tonne van sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It is the third generation of the Volkswagen LT truck, which has been in production since 1975....
. - Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK revealed the Caddy SportlineVolkswagen CaddyReleased in 1980, the first Volkswagen Caddy is a coupe utility, and van based on the Volkswagen Group A1 platform, shared with the small family car Volkswagen Golf Mk1.Volkswagen Typ is:*147 = LHD*148 = RHD-Caddy debuts internationally as a Rabbit:...
range.
2009
- Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles operations in Brazil revealed the new fifth-generation SaveiroVolkswagen GolThe Volkswagen Gol is a subcompact car manufactured by Volkswagen do Brasil since 1980 as Volkswagen's entry-level car in the South American market—where it succeeded the South American VW Beetle ...
utility for emerging markets. - VWCV reveal at IAA Frankfurt the T5 TransporterVolkswagen Transporter (T5)The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people mover Caravelle/Multivan range...
facelift which includes new engines and technology to benefit the class. - Volkswagen Amarok is launched in December at an event in General PachecoGeneral PachecoGeneral Pacheco is a city in Tigre Partido, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The city's position inside Tigre significantly sums up to its importance inside the partido...
, ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
with the PresidentPresidentA president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Cristina Kirchner attending. - Following the Launch in Argentina; Volkswagen Amarok was a key support vehicle in the 2010 Dakar RallyDakar RallyThe Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid type of off-road automobile race, organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation...
with 45 vehicles participating.
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.
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 KleinlieferwagenVolkswagen Type 147 Kleinlieferwagen
-History:The German Postal Services commissioned in 1961 / 1963 Volkswagen to design them a postal van that would suit their needs.VW started off with the Karmann produced Beetle Cabriolet as basis for the van due to its strength in build but later turned to the Karmann Ghia for basis as it was...
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
Volkswagen EA489 Basistransporter
The Volkswagen EA489 Basistransporter was a small front-wheel drive platform truck with a front-mounted Volkswagen air-cooled engine. Created by Volkswagen AG, It was about the size of a modern day Volkswagen Polo and is perhaps one of the rarest Volkswagens in the world due to the fact it was...
, with a rudimentary chassis and basic metal sheeting. It was easily manufactured from semi knocked down kits into a light truck.
In 1989, VWCV partnered Toyota to build the Toyota Hilux
Toyota Hilux
The Toyota Hilux is a series of compact pickup trucks produced and marketed by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Most countries used the Hilux name for the entire life of the series but in North America, the Hilux name was retired in 1976 in favor of Truck, Pickup Truck, or Compact Truck...
pick-up truck rebadged as a Volkswagen Taro
Volkswagen Taro
In January 1989, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles introduced a 1 tonne pickup truck, called the Volkswagen Taro, to complement the half tonne Caddy pickup / panel van ranges, and the 1 tonne Transporter van and chassis cab ranges....
. 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.
MAN AG / Volkswagen AG joint venture 1977-93
Volkswagen's first joint ventureJoint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
into truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
s outside of their own LT range
Volkswagen LT
The Volkswagen LT was the largest light commercial vehicle panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006...
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 wheelbase
Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
s 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 configuration
Engine configuration
Engine configuration is an engineering term for the layout of the major components of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. These components are the cylinders and crankshafts in particular but also, sometimes, the camshaft....
s, with DIN
Din
DIN or Din or din can have several meanings:* A din is a loud noise.* Dīn, an Arabic term meaning "religion" or "way of life".* Din is one of the ten aspects of the Ein Sof in Kabbalah ....
rated motive
Motive power
In thermodynamics, motive power is an agency, as water or steam, used to impart motion. Generally, motive power is defined as a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover. The term may also define something, as a locomotive or a...
power
Power (physics)
In physics, power is the rate at which energy is transferred, used, or transformed. For example, the rate at which a light bulb transforms electrical energy into heat and light is measured in watts—the more wattage, the more power, or equivalently the more electrical energy is used per unit...
outputs of:
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
Volkswagen LT
The Volkswagen LT was the largest light commercial vehicle panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006...
cabin was used for the MAN-VW range, the cabins are wider than the standard LT
Volkswagen LT
The Volkswagen LT was the largest light commercial vehicle panel van produced by Volkswagen from 1975 to 2006...
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
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
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
Enasa
ENASA was a Spanish vehicle manufacturing company, incorporated in 1946 having bought the automotive assets of the Spanish arm of Hispano-Suiza. It produced trucks, buses and military armored vehicles under the Pegaso and, for a short while, Sava brands. Enasa belonged to the state-owned INI...
as Pegaso
Pegaso
Pegaso was a Spanish make of trucks, omnibuses, tractors, armored vehicles, and, for a while, sports cars. The parent company, Enasa, was created in 1946 and based in the old Hispano-Suiza factory, under the direction of the renowned automotive engineer Wifredo Ricart...
Ekus, in a typical badge engineering
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
operation.
Some of this article contains excerpts from MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG article dated Munich, April 2005. MAN-VW History Article.
Vans
- Volkswagen Transporter (T5)Volkswagen Transporter (T5)The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles medium-sized light commercial vehicle and people mover Caravelle/Multivan range...
- Volkswagen Caravelle
- Volkswagen CaliforniaVolkswagen CaliforniaThe Volkswagen California is based on the T5 Multivan by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles . It is the first campervan designed and built in-house by VWCV Special Business Unit, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.-California history:...
- Volkswagen CrafterVolkswagen CrafterThe Volkswagen Crafter, introduced in 2006, is the largest 3 to 5 tonne van sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It is the third generation of the Volkswagen LT truck, which has been in production since 1975....
Heavy Trucks
- Volkswagen L (no page yet)
- Volkswagen ConstellationVolkswagen ConstellationThe Volkswagen Constellation is the flagship truck from Volkswagen Trucks and Buses line, covering the 13-57 tonne gross combination mass segment...
see also Volkswagen Trucks and Buses
Volkswagen Trucks and Buses
Volkswagen Trucks and Buses , , is a Brazilian manufacturer of commercial vehicles. It manufactures heavy trucks and buses under the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles marque....
Future Technology
Park AssistVolkswagen
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
self parking system Park Assist which is featured on such models as the Touran
Volkswagen Touran
The Volkswagen Touran is a compact MPV based on a vertically-stretched fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5, and sold in Europe and other select markets. It was launched in 2003 to fill a gap in Volkswagen's model lineup, below the Sharan large MPV...
, Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover vehicle initially built by the German automaker Auto 5000, but now built by Volkswagen, based on the PQ35 platform of the Volkswagen Golf. Production started in the winter of 2007 in Wolfsburg, Germany, and started selling shortly after...
and Passat
Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat is a large family car marketed by Volkswagen Passenger Cars through six design generations since 1973. Between the Volkswagen Golf / Volkswagen Jetta and the Volkswagen Phaeton in the current Volkswagen line-up, the Passat and its derivatives have been badged variously as...
is being developed for implementation on the next Caddy and Crafter.
E-Mobility
Volkswagen Commerical Vehicles will trial an Electric powered Caddy blue-e-motion panel van later in 2011
MAN SE Light Truck Venture
Wall Street Journal have reported Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and MAN SE are to develop a range of Light Trucks in the 3.5 tonne to 7.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass range.ASEAN Region for growth
IndiaVolkswagen Commercial Vehicles is studying the Indian Commercial and Bus market. Interest was shown by prospective customers at the VW display at India's 2008 Auto Expo and VW is considering entering the market with a joint venture initiative.
China
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is studying the viability of manufacturing in China.