Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland has a host of new offers for 2014, as well as the announcement of new, more specialised commercial vehicle centres.
Specialist van centres
Volkswagen is taking a more specialised approach to retailing commercial vehicles in 2014. Last April/May, it reduced its network of 35 dealers to 24 specialist van centres while the other 11 dealerships still continue as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles aftersales outlets.
The company says this specialisation strategy is focused on delivering the best level of service and expertise to every van owner in the Irish market and is “customer focused” as opposed to “product focused”.
All 24 Volkswagen Van Centres now have designated sales specialists who have commenced in-depth certified training programmes. Volkswagen says these centres are focused on delivering new and improved levels of excellence to every customer, every day. From training on product and product conversions (eg, box bodies, tippers, fridges, tail-lifts ), customer solutions such as finance, lease and also service plans (from €9.99 per month ), VCVI says it is here to take care of the whole process from order to delivery to aftercare.
Building on a good year in 2013
VCVI’s new strategy aims to make it the most complete and professional light commercial vehicle brand in Ireland. The new tag-line is Why drive anything else?
The professional element of the strategy is based on its models, specification, options/packs, customer service, service and warranty packs, finance (including advanced moves towards leasing ). and also insurance.
2013 has proven to be a successful year for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, which saw the introduction of the Transporter Trendline - now accounting for some 60 per cent of all orders on Transporter. The Trendline specification will now be extended to the Caddy and Crafter range for 2014.
This new specification will add up to 50 per cent savings for customers on included items in these packs, which consist of Bluetooth, colour coded bumpers, park distance control, air conditioning, upgraded radio, and new more hard-wearing upholstery.
All Transporter vans now come with a three-years manufacturer’s unlimited mileage warranty and for the Crafter there is a four-years unlimited mileage warranty.
Special finance offer up to December 20
There is a 4.9% typical APR rate offered across the full Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle range for 2014 (Caddy, Transporter, Crafter and Amarok ). However, as a special offer, all customers orders for Caddy, Transporter, Crafter placed with an authorised Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealer before December 20 will be offered 0% typical APR which can save a customer more than €3,000 versus some so-called high street finance rates available.
“We have redesigned our strategy in Ireland and we are 100 per cent focused on delivering improved customer solutions,” says Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle brand director Alan Bateson. “Now with market leading offers such as 0% typical APR, a network of 24 specialist van centres and sales specialists who can offer the correct solutions to every customer, we are ready to deliver on our new vision, which simply is - Why drive anything else?”
