What's the news?
Volkswagen has released its special offers for those looking to buy a van or commercial vehicle in January. Volkswagen's 191 commercial offers include a 1.9 per cent interest rate for Hire Purchase finance (which it claims is the lowest-rate HP offer out there for vans), alongside a dedicated commercial PCP finance offer, and leasing offers that start at just €209 with no deposit. That Hire Purchase offer can also be stretched out over five years if you like.
Volkswagen says that its van sales have grown by some 14 per cent so far this year (which must surely be a sign of some decent health in the overall economy), and that the introduction of the new Crafter van has been a key driver in that growth. Crafter sales are up by 60 per cent for the year so far.
Next year will see more van and special vehicle introductions, including the much-anticipated Grand California, a spacious camper van based on the big Crafter, and costing from €55,000 when it arrives early next year.
Electric vans will also start to come online next year. Co-developed with engineering and car tuning firm ABT, the e-Caddy and e-Transporter will both hit the Irish market in 2019. The e-Caddy will come with claimed range of 220km and a maximum payload of 645kg, while the e-Transporter will have as much as 400km range (depending on the size of the battery pack) and a maximum payload of between 750kg and 1,050kg.
Volkswagen's commercial arm claims that it's doing well on the customer service side of things too, pointing to its €259 inclusive service pack offer and the fact that all of its services and repairs are covered by a two-year unlimited mileage warranty.
Commenting on 2019, Alan Bateson, Managing Director at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: "We have looked at our successes in 2018 and want to continue this into 2019 and beyond. To do this we involved our customers and asked them what we could do to further develop. With that in mind our 1.9% HP, which is currently the best HP offer in the Irish market, has been extended out to five years or 60 months in order to make our market leading products more affordable than ever. With Ireland's only commercial vehicle PCP and Ireland's only commercial vehicle lease offer provided by our own bank, our mission is to ensure we give Irish customers the best solution for their needs.
"When we look at next year we expect further growth, especially in Crafter, a new model and International Van of the Year winner that has grown hugely in 2018. We also welcome our new Grand California in 2019 with orders already being placed and our new electric solutions in Caddy and Transporter which offer a range up to 400 kilometres."