Volkswagen Commercials keeps No.2 spot in UK

We all know 2020 was an “unusual” year to say the least but despite all the turmoil Volkswagen Commercials managed to keep No.2 spot in UK by registering 32,349 vehicles. Whilst sales of the brand’s heavy vans, passenger carriers and campervans took Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ total registrations to 36,140.

Same spot but lower volumes

Retaining second spot is only part of the story as Volkswagen CV suffered a significant fall in volume of around 10,000 units which has been understandably put down to the effects of the global pandemic as the overall UK commercial vehicle market upto 3.5 tonnes dropped by 20 per cent. The 2020 volumes allowed the manufacturers to retained second position with a markets share of 11.1 per cent compared to the previous years 11.6 per cent.

VWCV Sales by model

What makes more interesting reading is the split in sales between the four models , or should we say, three models as Amarok production has now ceased awaiting a new joint venture model with Ford scheduled to break cover in late 2022.

8,797 Crafters were registered in 2020 a decline of only 544 vehicles vs 2019, and almost 17,000 Transporter models. Sales of panel vans were boosted by the rise in home delivery and the growth of other essential and emergency services, including ambulances.

Amarok sales fell to just over 2,000 units following the end of production and Caddy 4 was also in run-out, with 6,864 finding UK homes ahead of the launch of the all-new fifth generation model which is on sale now, with first deliveries expected in March.

The trend in staycations and camping trips kept interest in the brand’s campervans high, although production constraints meant actual registrations were down compared to the previous year.

Volkswagens view of 2020

Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Cian O’Brien, said: “COVID-19 impacted our business in 2020 in ways we could never have predicted, but the final results are testament to the resilience and hard work of our head office and Van Centre network teams, as well as the trust customers put in our brand, and our Working With You promise to support them through tough times. I’m really proud of the ways in which we’ve supported essential workers as well as SMEs during the past year, ensuring we could deliver the vehicles as well as the aftersales services they needed to keep the country and their businesses moving”.