SINGAPORE –  Volkswagen Singapore announced the re-launch of its commercial vehicles (CV) range, focusing primarily on light commercial vehicles (LCVs). While Volkswagen’s LCV range, made up of the Caddy and Transporter, has been on sale for quite some time, the re-launch sees new models and more choices available.

In addition to the Caddy, there’s now the larger Caddy Maxi (pictured above), as well as three variants of the Transporter van to choose from.

The Caddy range is powered by a 1.6-litre TDI turbodiesel engine with 102bhp, with a choice of five-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the latter is a stand-out option in the LCV world. All variants except the standard Caddy with manual gearbox (which has 25Nm less) have a torque output of 250Nm from 1,500 to 2,500rpm. CO2 emissions and efficiency are, averaged out, almost the same across the range at 149g/km and 5.7L/100km.

The Caddy has a wheelbase of 2,681mm, to which the Maxi version adds 325mm extra, thus being able to carry a maximum load length of 2,250mm, versus 1,781 for the regular model. The payload is also increased from 755kg to 830kg for the manual variant. There will also a passenger variant available for the Caddy Maxi which has space for seven people.

VW’s bigger van, the Transporter (above), is still available with a 2.0-litre TDI engine, but now with two other options. The T26 base variant is a 85bhp, 220Nm manual-only model with a 5.8 square metre load space and 840kg payload. The mid-range T30 model is the same size but has more power, torque and payload, with 140bhp, 340Nm and 1,200kg. The long wheelbase T32 LWB model has the same engine, but adds a huge 400mm between the wheels, can haul 100kg more, plus has 6.7 square metres of storage space. The passenger version of the Transporter, the Multivan, is also currently available.

Prices for the Caddy, Caddy Maxi and Transporter start at $42,800, $46,800 and $58,800 without COE, DSG is approximately a $5k option. VW boasts low costs of ownership, with each vehicle only needing a workshop visit once every 20,000km. It also announced an attractive ownership scheme, as each LCV comes with a five-year, 200,000km warranty. For the launch period, buyers will also enjoy free servicing for up to five-years or 100,000km, and they can also purchase extended servicing packages that start from $922.

VW also said it is also currently investigating the feasibility of selling the Amarok pickup truck, which has been a sales success overseas, here in Singapore.

Back in the passenger vehicles department, VW revealed that the Golf is now Singapore’s top-selling hatchback, according to CB’s own story, the Golf has sold 434 units from January to August this year, and is Singapore’s seventh best-selling car. Just ahead, at 458 units, is Jetta sedan, the brand’s best-selling model in Singapore.

VW also highlighted steps it’s taken to improve its aftersales service further, with increasing efforts in customer education about technical issues and the introduction of a service concierge to help resolve customer complaints. It also noted that the past two months saw the highest ratio of compliments vs complaints to date. VW Singapore’s managing director, Steffen Schwarz (pictured, above), noted the brand’s top ranking in technical service in the region. He added, wryly, that he was very proud of the service improvement, since, “…it’s much easier to gather complaints on social media than anything else!”

Two of the latest VW models have been confirmed for launch in Singapore as well: The face-lifted Polo compact hatchback will debut on October 11, while the face-lifted Touareg SUV will be arriving some time next year.

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