Autoblog

VW looking to MAN up, ditch Mercedes van deal

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen

Unlike the US, the commercial truck market throughout the rest of the world is chocked full of competitors from many different automakers. Since 2006, Volkswagen has had a fullsize van called the Crafter that was a result of a partnership with Daimler AG and based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This partnership is supposed to last through 2016, but Reuters is reporting that VW might be looking to end its relationship with Daimler and create its own van in cooperation with German truck and bus maker MAN.

The article says that VW AG has more than a 75-percent stake in MAN, which would essentially be keeping the new commercial vehicle in-house. Even if VW bolts, Daimler still has a deal worked out in the commercial truck industry between its subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso and Renault-Nissan to supply the other with different trucks.

VW looking to MAN up, ditch Mercedes van deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Diesel

2012 Volkswagen Crafter - Click above for high-res image gallery

Big vans are the workhorses of countries like the UK, and Volkswagen is keen to take a bigger slice of that particular pie with its new Crafter. Unveiled this week at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC, the new van is an update on the previous model that was unveiled at the same expo five years ago.

The Crafter was co-developed with Mercedes-Benz and is once again based on the Sprinter chassis, but the driveline (as well as the new front-end styling) are Volkswagen's. The new range of engines are lighter, more fuel efficient, less polluting and altogether cheaper to run, allowing for increased payloads in the process.

Follow the jump for the full press releases, and click on the thumbnails below for high-resolution images.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Crafter

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van

Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vauxhall freights in reworked Vivaro

Chris Paukert — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 20:08:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Europe, Work

We're by no means experts on European commercial vehicles, but it would seem that White Van Men on the continent are about to be inundated with new product choices, while their Stateside counterparts continue to make due largely by choosing between a Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter, Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana, or Ford's jurassic Econoline. In just the past month or so, we've seen a fresh-faced Volkswagen Crafter and Fiat's new Ducato (along with its Citroen Jumper and Peugeot Boxer twins), and now Vauxhall is set to market a revamped Vivaro.

The Vauxhauler receives an exterior once-over, keeping its distinctive bubble roofline, but adding new light fixtures front and rear and a new V-shaped grille.

Inside, upholstery and trim materials have been upgraded, with faux metal trim and chrome-ringed gauges, and a new range of infotainment options available.

Later in 2006, buyers will have their choice of a revamped engine range as well, including a pair of new 2.0-liter common rail turbodiesels or a tidied-up 2.5-liter CDTi, all yoked to six-speed manual gearboxes.

[Source: Transport News Network]

Vauxhall freights in reworked Vivaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Jun 2006 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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