The LCV sector in Europe has reach the bottom but has yet to start climbing out of it, according to Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles CEO Stephan Schaller.
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“We know that 2010 will be another challenging year. The bottom has been reached but not yet traversed,” he said in a statement.
VW is launching its first pickup this year, the Amarok, to take on best sellers such as the Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200.
VW is also giving its T5 transporter an extensive facelift, said Schaller.
Last year, VW LCV sales sank 20.7% to 354,770 vehicles, driven by collapsing demand for the T5 transporter model line and the larger Crafter delivery van. Sales of the Caddy, the unit’s smallest model, fell 7.7% to 151,488 vehicles, by comparison.
VW’s CV division is expected to form a core pillar of a future alliance with VW’s Swedish heavy truck brand Scania and MAN, of which VW owns 30%.
