Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle News.

In 2011 the commercial vehicle sector has increased rapidly in Ireland, with the figures this year eclipsing the combined total for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

And as consumers look at different ways to achieve the best finance packages for the products they buy, a new lender to the banking sector is proving a real success.

Volkswagen Bank Ireland, a division of Volkswagen Financial Services, recently announced it is scheduled to lend over €100m in vehicle finance packages to Irish customers in 2011.

The bank, which was created in 2008, covers Volkswagen’s five marques across Ireland, including the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Niall Phillips, sales and marketing manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: “The Volkswagen Bank Ireland has proved a huge success in a relatively short time.

“It helps individuals and companies who require a van for their business or personal needs and I’m sure 2012 will be an even better year for Irish motorists and businesses looking to finance their commercial vehicle(s).

“The success of the bank this year was shown lately when 80 per cent of finance customers took a recent campaign lending rate.”

The bank currently has an acceptance rate of three in four applications across all five marques under the Volkswagen Group banner. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles are offering rates starting at just 4.9 per cent APR across all Caddy, Transporter, Crafter and Amarok.

In determining the result, all nine voting members of the Irish Motoring Writers Association van jury cast their votes. Value-for-money, reliability, versatility and lasting residual value were among the attributes sought by the judging panel.

Presenting the award to Niall Phillips, Sales and Marketing Manager of Volkswagen Group Ireland, Paddy Murphy of award sponsors, Continental Tyres Ireland, commented: ‘The VW Crafter is a worthy winner of the Irish Van of the Year title, ideally suited to the needs of Ireland’s commercial vehicle operators. In the current tough market conditions for commercial vehicles, we are sure that the award will contribute in no small way to the ongoing success of the Crafter.’

The Crafter succeeds the Mercedes Benz Vito, last year’s winner.