Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles division expects further strong growth in the next few years thanks to new models and expansion in emerging markets.
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VW Nutzfahrzeuge’s (VWN) chief executive, Stephan Schaller, told Automobilwoche in Geneva that future growth will come from growth markets in eastern Europe, Asia and South America.
VWN sold 311,594 vehicles in Europe in 2007, giving it a market share of 14.5% in the over five tonne market. Schaller sees room for further growth in Italy and France, where the company will launch country-specific versions of the T5 to compete with domestic makes, which currently dominate. “We will see what we have got in the T5 parts bin and where we can further develop the T5 at the top and bottom of the range.”
In Russia VWN sold 6,000 vehicles in 2007, and expects this to rise to 10,000 in 2008. No production is planned at VW’s plant in Kaluga, however, as import duties are not as high on trucks as they are on cars, making it difficult to justify local production.
In India sales of the Caddy and T5 have been going well since the Delhi motor show at the beginning of the year. Schaller said there is also interest in the CNG version of the Caddy if the government decided to incentivise imports or sales of CNG vehicles.
In both India and Russia, Schaller said the VWN is getting a feel for the market, and building up its dealer networks.
He said the VWN is currently testing acceptance of the T5 in China.
