Anyone who knows commercial vehicles will tell you many manufacturers have been bringing models from Europe as they offer some clever ideas in terms of packaging and delivering better fuel economy. Now, there is talk about a manufacturer bringing their European lineup to the U.S.
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Speaking with Reuters, Volkswagen commercial vehicles' CEO Eckhard Scholz said the U.S. is "still a highly interesting market" where European concepts of commercial vehicles are beginning to take hold. Such concepts include small delivery vans and smaller engines in the full-size vans. When asked about possibly selling vehicles in the U.S., Scholz said,
A lot of things come to mind but at the moment I have nothing concrete to say."
It should be noted this isn't the first time that Volkswagen has floated the idea of selling some of their commercial vehicles in the U.S. Former Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn said last year that they were considering bringing a van to the U.S.
What vehicles are in Volkswagen's commercial vehicle lineup?
It begins with Caddy van (about the size of a Ram ProMaster City and Ford Transit Connect), followed by the Transporter (Mercedes-Benz Metris-sized), and Crafter (ProMaster, Transit, and Sprinter sized). They are also in charge of the Amarok pickup.
Could Volkswagen make any inroads into the U.S. commercial market?
It is tough to say considering Volkswagen's tarnished reputation due to the diesel emission mess. This could also limit the appeal of their vehicles if Volkswagen only offers them with gas engines. Diesel is preferred for fuel economy and towing.
Pic Credit: Volkswagen
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VW certainly missed "das boot
VW certainly missed "das boot" on what could have been a market they owned (and, in fact, they invented)... Their class 4 & 5 vehicles (Crafter) were available with various wheel bases, roof heights and rear doors (plus loads of other options) in the mid-90s - long before the Sprinter. And, their GVW is large enough to not cause them to fall under the protectionist "chicken tax" - which charges a 25% tariff on commercial vehicles brought into the US. You are correct about need for the TDI in these vehicles and about the reputation needing a good polish - the biggest issue in marketing VW trucks in the US however is the nameplate - one that among the non-automotive enthusiast crowd almost sounds like an oxymoron. VW truck = giant shrimp. VW should lever their new Navistar brand in the US and market their commercial products that way, allowing their automotive dealers to do warranty repairs if they have a high capacity lift and required special tools.