Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Infobox Company
company_name = Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles
Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge
company_
company_type = Subsidiary of Volkswagen Group
foundation = 1995
founder =
location = flagicon|GER: Hanover, Germany
locations =
area_served = Worldwide
key_people = Stephan Schaller, CEO
industry = Automotive
products = Commercial vehicles
services =
market c

revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
assets =
equity =
owner =
num_employees = 19,400 (2006)
parent = Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen AG)
divisions =
subsid =
homepage = [http://www.volkswagen-commercial-vehicles.com Volkswagen-Commercial-Vehicles.com]
footnotes =
intl = yes

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV), or Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge (VWN) de icon, 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.Cite web|url=http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/company/volkswagen-heritage/|title=A brief history of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles|accessdate=2008-06-07|work= Volkswagen-Vans.co.uk]

Company highlights

1947 VW 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.

1949 VW 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.

1950 full production began, Bulli was renamed Type 2 Transporter due to "Bulli" being trademarked by another company.

1954 VW celebrates production of 100,000th Type 2 Transporter at Wolfsburg plant.

1956 the first Type 2 Transporter rolls off the Hanover plant.

1962 1,000,000th Transporter leaves production line in Hanover.

1967 the 2nd generation Type 2 Transporter (T2) is released.

1968 the 2,000,000th Transporter leaves production line in Hanover.

1975 the 1st generation of the "LastenTransporter" LT 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 & LT 45.

1979 the 3rd generation Type 2 Transporter (T3) is released.

1980 a diesel engine is added to the Type 2 Transporter (T3) range.

1981 Hanover celebrates 25 years of producing the success Transporter range, in March the 5 millionth version is produced.

1981 VW Caminhoes Ltd starts building medium sized trucks in Brazil.

1982 Watercooled engines are added to the German Transporter (T3) range.

The Caddy Ute which is based on the Golf is launched to the public.

1983 the luxurious Caravelle MPV is launched into the T3 range.

1985 VWCV launch the four-wheel drive "syncro" Transporter T3

Volkswagenwerk GmbH changes its name to VOLKSWAGEN AG.

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.

1990 the 4th generation Transporter/Multivan (T4) is released, VW 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 Taipei, Taiwan.

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

1994 the 5,000,000th Transporter/Multivan (T4) leaves production line in Hanover.

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 marque.

1996 The Type 9K Caddy Panel Van and Type 9U Caddy are released on the market.

1996 VW 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.

2000 VWCV celebrate 50 years of building the legendary Transporter/Multivan (T4) range.

VWCV takes charge of the Brazilian Truck and Bus operations.

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. [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]

2006 the replacement to the Volkswagen LT the Volkswagen Crafter is revealed [ [http://www.globalautoindex.com/news.plt?no=1283 Volkswagen Crafter: third generation light commercial vehicle – Global Auto Index News ] ] , 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"Cite web|url=http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/press-releases/what-van-awards/|title=Press releases|accessdate=2008-06-07|work=volkswagen-vans.co.uk/] & "What Van?" "Large Panel Van of the Year", also VWCV wins the "What Van?" "Technology Award" for its DSG transmission in the Caddy van.

2007 Stephan Schaller replaced Dr. Bernd Wiedemann as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Managing Director, [ [http://www.tnn.co.uk/Manufacturers/plonearticle.2006-09-07.0958794315 Stephan Schaller to be head of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – Transport News Network ] ] also an LWB Caddy called Caddy Maxi will be released.

2007 The Caddy and Volkswagen Crafter win "Professional Van and Light Truck Magazine's" Small and Large Van of the Year Awards. [ [http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/index.php?action=vwcv.companyDoubleAward Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles scoop double award ] ]

2007 Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles builds its 10 millionth Transporter in the month of November. [ [http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/11/22/071752.html Volkswagen Transporter Passes Production Milestone ] ]

Unique Volkswagen commercial vehicles

VW 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 VW 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. [http://www.ltv-vwc.org.uk/wheelspin/ws_oct_2000/Weird_Vans02.html]

In 1989 VW partnered Toyota to build Toyota Hi-Lux pick-up truck 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. [Volkswagens of the World by Simon Glen pages 151 and 152]

MAN AG & Volkswagen AG joint venture 1977-1993

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 4 engines and 4 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 4 and 6 cylinder inline configurations with power outputs of:

* 90 hp/66 kW

* 100 hp/74 kW

* 136 hp/100 kW

* 150 hp/110 kW.

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

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

Volkswagen 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-VWs 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-VW 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-VW and the VW 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." [http://www.man-mn.com/en/Media/Press_releases/show_press.jsp?key=31962&lang=en MAN-VW History Article] .

Volkswagen Truck and Bus operation

In 1979 Volkswagen Group (Volkswagen AG) acquired a 67% percent stake in Chrysler Motors do Brasil Ltda. In January 1980, Volkswagen AG buys 100% of shares in Chrysler Motors do Brasil Ltda, therefore giving VW the rights in renaming the company to Volkswagen Caminhões Ltda.

Volkswagen Caminhões Ltda. released their first trucks in February/March 1981, the VW 11.130 & VW 13.130 had a reworked version of Volkswagen's Mark 1 LT cabin, and with MWM engines on Chrysler engineered platforms.Cite web|url=http://www.vwtbpress.com.br/empresa_cronolfab.htm|title=Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus|accessdate=2008-06-07|work=vwtbpress.com.br Pt icon]

Autolatina years

From 1990 to 1995 VW Trucks and Buses were built with Ford components as part of the Autolatina venture and were built in Ford's Ipiranga Complex in Brazil. Once the Autolatina marriage fell through VW had no factory for its trucks and their parts so Resende plant was built in 1995.

Resende, Rebirth of VW Truck and Bus

1996, Resende was the official start for VW Truck and Bus developing their own parts and platforms. The Modular Consortium was introduced for the first time in Resende.

The Modular Consortium is the group of main suppliers that make the parts and assembles them for VW Truck and Bus on site in the Resende factory.

VWs involvement is only in supplying the factory & inspection at the end of production; VW pays only a small amount of wages, as each partner of the Modular Consortium pays the workers.

ales

Most of the early sales of the Truck & Bus Chassis operations were mainly within South America, with the exception of small exportations to China and the Middle East. Prior to VW Commercial Vehicles' new role of managing the Truck and Bus operation, in 1994 VW imported to Germany a 7 tonne truck, the "Volkswagen L80". Due to the European Union Gas Emissions EU IV standards, exports discontinued in late 2000.

New era with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles took over the Truck and Bus operation in 2000 from Volkswagen's Brazilian subsidiary; this signaled the start of a new era for the Volkswagen Group in producing its own Heavy Truck and Bus Chassis Range, which covers the GCM of 5 tonnes to 57 tonnes category.

Since VW Commercial Vehicles has taken control; the company have been looking at expanding Truck and Bus sales to other markets outside of South America, South Africa and Middle East regions.

All Volkswagen Truck and Buses are built in the Resende, Brazil factory and sent in Semi Knocked Down kits to South Africa & Mexico.

Planned future markets for export are ASEAN and Eastern Europe countries.

Volkswagen Truck and Bus division released in September 2005 the new Volkswagen Constellation range with a GCM from 33 tonne to 45, future versions will have a GCM of 57 tonnes.

VW Truck & Bus company facts

*The Resende plant was built in 153 days at a cost of US$ 250 Million dollars.

*The Resende plant adheres to International Standards ISO TS and ISO 14001.

*Resende plant produces 140 vehicles per day in two working shifts and employs 3,045 workers. [ [http://www.mobility-and-sustainability.com/_content/standorte_405.asp Locations – America – Resende (Brasil) ] ]

*VW trucks and buses are sold in over 35 countries around the world. Some of the countries are Argentina, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.Cite web|url=http://www.vwtbpress.com.br/empresa_fab.htm|title=Resende - Brasil|accessdate=2008-06-07|work=www.vwtbpress.com.br Pt icon]

*Most of the VW Truck and Bus growth has been in the last eight years.

*All the 2007 Volkswagen Truck range are capable of operating in minus 20°C and plus 45°C; Middle East specified trucks can stand 55°C degrees Celsius.

BMB Mode Center

Established in 2002 10km from Resende the assembly plant, the BMB Mode Center is responsible for modifications to the truck & bus range that cannot be done on the production line.

BMB Mode Center build:
* For bus range: low entry buses and articulated buses.
* For truck range: 4x4, 8x4 & 8x2 conversions as well as an armored truck & finally exterior design modifications.

The BMB division moved in June 2006 to the new location 150 m outside the Resende Plant. The new location has 30,000 square metres of land; it cost Brazilian R$ 7 million to build.Cite web|url=http://www.vwtbpress.com.br/noticia.asp?n=290|title=BMB Mode Center abre centro modificador de caminhões e Ônibus Volkswagen|accessdate=2008-06-07|work=www.vwtbpress.com.br/ Pt icon]

VW Truck & Bus highlights

;January 1981Volkswagen AG acquires 100% of the Chrysler Motors of Brazil Ltda.

;February 1981 VW Caminhoes releases 1st trucks 11.130, 13.130 & an Ethanol powered truck.

;March 1981Changing of name from Chrysler Motors of Brazil Ltda to Volkswagen Caminhoes (Trucks) Ltda

;September 1982Launching of 6 tonne truck range.

;July 1984Integration of VW Caminhões Ltda. into VW do Brasil.

;August 1984VW 140, the first methane gas/biogas powered truck in Brazil.

;July 1985VW 11.130 exported to China.

;July 1987Truck division integrates with Ford Trucks with the formation of Autolatina.

;July 1990Truck plant moves to Industrial Complex of the Ipiranga.

;April 1993Launching of the first Volksbus chassis 16.180 CO.

;April 1994VW Truck & Bus celebrate 100,000th VW truck produced.

;June 1995Beginning of the L80 exports to Germany

VW Caminhões Ltda. announces Resende, Brazil as site for the construction of the future Truck & Bus plant.

;November 1996VW Caminhoes Ltda moves to new Resende plant.

;September 1997Commemoration of the 5000th vehicle made in the Resende plant.

;June 1998Launching of the trucks for the Argentine market

Export of completely knocked down kits of Volksbus microbus chassis to Colombia.

;January 2000Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWN) of Germany, with headquarters in Hannover, assumes the responsibility for the Truck and Bus operation.

;March 2000Launching of Series 2000

;April 2001For the first time in its 20 years, the VW Caminhoes becomes leader in the Brazilian market for trucks.

;August 2002VW Truck & Bus has 30% market share of Brazilian market, Brazil is the Number 1 in the world, buyer of Buses and Number 2 for Trucks.

;December 2002Production of 100,000th truck in Resende.

;July 2003Volkswagen Truck & Bus participates in the International Rally of the Sertões, with 3 8.150 trucks.

;October 2003Announcement of the creation of VW Truck & Bus Operation in Mexico, construction of an assembly line starts in the City of Puebla, Mexico.

;November 2003In pioneering research in Brazil, VW tests a Volksbus powered by biodiesel with the support of the Government of the State of Rio De Janeiro and the UFRJ, in the Riobiodiesel project.

;April 2003VW 18.310 successful for the first time in the Super European Truck Championship.

;July 2003VW Truck & Bus add three more vehicles in the RioBiodiesel program.

;August 2003First truck production tests are conducted in the plant of Puebla, Mexico.

;September 2003VW announces construction of plant for VW Truck and Bus range in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

;October 2003The Puebla, Mexican plant officially opens.VW Titan 18.310 is champion in the Super European Truck Championships in the first year it competes.

;October 2005Beginning of the Volkswagen Truck and Bus operation in South Africa with the production of three Volksbus models.

;November 2005VW Truck & Bus release Delivery (5 to 8 tonnes) & Constellation (33 to 45 tonnes) lines.

;June 2006The BMB Mode Centre is opened for specialized modification of Truck & Bus range.

The Constellation Daycab is released.

;September 2006The top of the line 18.320 VIP Volksbus is released.

;February 2007Release of the 31.320 6x4 Constellation and 15.190, 17.230 Volksbus line.

;August 8 2007Volkswagen Truck & Bus released the most powerful engine the VW NGD 370 in the Constellation lineup.

;August 22 2007VW produce the first RHD heavy truck in the companies history with the release of the Constellation range in South Africa.

Current VWCV models

Light Commercial Vehicles

Car derived

*Volkswagen Caddy

Vans

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

Medium to Heavy Commercial Vehicles

*Volkswagen Delivery
*Volkswagen Worker
*Volkswagen Constellation

Buses & Coaches

*Volkswagen Volksbus

Future

In 2008 & beyond

In October VW plan to launch a low econnomy vehicle based on the on Transporter for the Russian market.The vehicle codenamed Robust Entry Transporter (RET) will be made of steel components instead of aluminium, have a wooden tray and come with a Euro III engine.

* VW will launch the production version of the Robust in August 2009 in Brazil before production starts in September in Argentina.

* VW Commercial Vehicles are also exploring a bi-fuel Transporter EcoFuel using natural gas and petrol.

* Production versions of studies Caddy PanAmericana and Crafter BlueMotion could be launched in 2009.

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. [ [http://motortorque.askaprice.com/news/auto-0802/volkswagen-confirms-commercial-park-assist.asp Volkswagen confirms commercial Park Assist ] ]

India

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is studying the Indian Commercial and Bus market and is planning on entering the market with a joint venture intiative. [http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSBOM3439520080925]

Interest was shown by customers after the VWCV display at India's Auto Expo. [ [http://www.volkswagen-media-services.com/medias_publish/ms/content/en/pressemitteilungen/2008/01/09/large_lineup_in_new0.standard.gid-oeffentlichkeit.html VW Media Services ] ]

China

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is studying the viability of manufacturing in China. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=a_h8vXMeUWwM&refer=europe]

MAN to supply VW Truck & Bus with engines

MAN AG and VW Commercial Vehicles, Truck & Bus division are in talks to receive MAN engines for the Truck & Bus line manufactured in Brazil. [ [http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-news/item.do?newsId=60917668863257 MAN in talks to supply truck engines to VW – report | Latest News | News | Hemscott ] ]

Truck merger

It is expected that VW will merge the Brazilian heavy truck operation into a combined MAN AG / Scania AB group, in which VW plans to hold at least a 25% stake. It is speculated that MAN AG will buy a 10% stake in VW to further cement this relationship. VW heavy trucks will sit side by side with the Scania and MAN brands.

VW Truck & Bus is to be merged with Scania AB according to Germany's Die Welt newspaper. [ [http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/03/03/afx4720686.html VW to merge its truck business into Scania's – report – Forbes.com ] ]

VWCV gallery

ee also

* list of German cars

References

External links

"official sites"
* [http://www.volkswagen-commercial-vehicles.com Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles International portal] en icon
* [http://www.vwtrucksandbuses.com/en/default.aspx Volkswagen Trucks and Buses International portal ] en icon
* [http://www.volkswagen-nutzfahrzeuge.de Volkswagen-Nutzfahrzeuge.de] Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge (Commercial Vehicles) Germany de icon
* [http://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk Volkswagen-Vans.co.uk] official Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (UK) site
* [http://www.vw.co.za/commercial/ Volkswagen South Africa - Commercial Vehicles]
* [http://www.volkswagen.com.au/commercialrange/default.asp Volkswagen Australia Commercial Vehicles]
* [http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/unternehmen/mobility_and_sustainability0/regionen/Europa/Hannover.html Hannover (Germany) Plant Sustainability site]
* [http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/unternehmen/mobility_and_sustainability0/regionen/Europa/Poznan.htmlhttp://www.mobility-and-sustainability.com/_content/standorte_424.asp Poznan (Poland) Plant Sustainability site]
* [http://www.vwcaminhoeseonibus.com.br Volkswagen Brazil Truck & Bus website] pt icon
* [http://www.vwtbpress.com.br Volkswagen Brazil Truck & Bus Press site] pt icon
* [http://www.volkswagen.com/vwcms_publish/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en2/unternehmen/mobility_and_sustainability0/regionen/amerika/Resende.html Resende (Brazil) Plant Sustainability site]
* [http://www.bmbmodecenter.com.br/ BMB Mode Center (VW Truck & Buses Modification Branch)] pt icon

"Unaffiliated sites"
* [http://www.fleetwatch.co.za/Tw2007/Volkswagen/index.htm South African Constellation & Volksbus Specifications]
* [http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/ Brick-Yard UK - Caddy & Transporter/Multivan & LT/Crafter Forums] en icon
* [http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/forumdisplay.php?f=26 Australian VW Vans Forum]