Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has reached a remarkable milestone after it has produced an excess of over ten million of its iconic Transporter van. And this year is the 60th anniversary of the said model.

The Transporter is a unique vehicle not only because it is one of the most popular vans ever produced but the fact that it has created a cult of loyal followers. And through the years it has been able to sustain its popularity making it as Volkswagen’s best-selling van and its number one imported van in the UK.

Its success is not just attributed to its style and design but also on Volkswagen’s years of quality, durability and competitive whole life costs. Europe’s largest automaker has a network of dedicated Van Centers plus a wide range of derivatives that includes low, medium, and high roofs, short-and long wheelbases, generous payloads, a choice of four and five cylinder TDI engines plus Shuttle and Caravelle people carrier models and the California campervan.

The landmark production figure is currently being utilized on a new advertising campaign with the strap-line ’10 Million Transporter Drivers Can’t Be Wrong’.

Here are some of the facts on the archive of the Volkswagen Transporter sourced from The Auto Channel:

1. 1947: first design sketch of the rear-engined Transporter produced

2. 1950: Production of the first generation, ’split-screen’ Transporter started in Wolfsburg for the 1950 model year with an air-cooled, 1131 cc engine developing    25 PS borrowed from the Volkswagen Beetle.  By comparison, today’s Transporter has a choice of four TDI PD diesel engines from 1.9-litres to 2.5-litres, producing from 84 PS to 174 PS

3. 1955: Volkswagen imported the first Transporter to the UK

4. 1956: Transporter production moved to a new Volkswagen factory in Hanover.

5. 1967: The second generation, ‘bay window’ Transporter was introduced.  Over three million were made during 12 years of production. It’s still produced to this day in Mexico

6. 1979: The third generation Transporter was introduced

7. 1982: After 32 years and with production totaling over five million vehicles, the Transporter switched from air-cooled to water-cooled engines - still rear-mounted

8. 1990: The fourth generation Transporter was introduced and became the first to have the engine at the front to leave a completely flat load area

9. 2003: The current, fifth generation Transporter made its debut

10.2007: Rock legends, The Who, performed live at an official event to celebrate 60 years of Volkswagen vans held in Hanover, Germany, which attracted 71,000 visitors with an amazing selection of over 5,000 Transporter vans

 

Volkswagen’s dubbed United team consisting of Polo, Golf, Golf Plus, Touran, Sharan, New Beetle, New Beetle Cabrio and Jetta are offered as special edition models with price incentives of up to 3,300 euro.

The United team will also be the special pitch-side lineup for the “Volkswagen United Masters” which is Germany’s biggest indoor soccer contest. The tournament will be participated by 35,000 hobby kickers who will be competing for the crown in the indoor soccer.

The packages offered for the United team vehicles were made to reflect what customers are looking for in a vehicle. Depending on the model, some of the highlights of the package include air-conditioning, a multi-functional steering wheel, a parking pilot and fog lights, cruise control and automatic driving-light system with the coming home and leaving home function. For the Golf, Golf Plus and Jetta United, driving assistance will be provided by the MFA Plus which an on-board computer while the Golf and Golf Plus United will come equipped with the RCD 210 radio.

To distinguish Volkswagen’s United team a “United” logo was placed on the side section at the rear of the vehicle. Other identifying marks of the United team include the exclusive Heaven Blue Metallic finish for the Golf and Golf Plus, the 6-inch “Mugello” alloy wheels on the Golf, Golf Plus and Touran which are also being offered as an option in a machine polished finish makes the United team real stunners.

The United team is not all exterior looks, inside are original fittings like for instance the middle sections of the eats feature the new “Surprise” design while the leather versions are offered for the gear-shift knob and the hand-brake lever. Sporty accessories of which include a package containing a Nike football, sports bag and towel.

All United models are available for order and here are the prices:

•    Polo United- 14,275 euro
•    Golf and Golf Plus United models- 18,525 euro and 20,125 euro
•    Touran United- 25,575euro
•    Sharan United- 30,025 euro
•    New Beetle and New Beetle Cabrio- 20,475 euro and 24,550 euro
•    Jetta- 23,375 euro

 

According to the recent results of tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the current lineup of Audi vehicles that are sold in the US are among the safest there is. The recent crash tests conducted by both organizations have showed that Audi is among the best in the industry with regards to passenger safety and vehicle crash worthiness.

For the 2008 Top Safety Pick, IIHS has added the Audi A3 in the midsize category. Meanwhile the 2007 Top Safety Pick winners A4 and A6 continue as 2008 Top Safety Pick’s awardees in the midsize and large car category, respectively. So far Audi is the only German luxury automaker with the distinction of having three models included in IIHS Top Safety Pick.

In order to qualify for the Top Safety Pick Award, vehicles must obtained a top rating of good for passenger protection in off-set frontal, side, and rear crash tests. For the 2008 Top Safety Pick now include occupant safety measures and crash prevention criterion. Additional requirement is the electronic stability program which is offered in all Audi vehicles as standard feature.

The Audi Q7 SUV was also tested in 2007 for crash worthiness and obtained the highest possible rating of ‘Five-star’ for driver and passenger in a frontal collision and front and rear passengers in a side collision. The ‘Five-star’ means that there is less than a 5 percent chance of serious injury to passengers in case of a collision. Frontal tests are conducted to measure the impact on the head, neck, chest, and pelvis on front passengers, while side tests show the chance of a serious chest injury for both front and rear seat passengers.

Audi is loaded with a comprehensive list of active safety features that include four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system (ABS), an electronic stability program and daytime running lights (DRL) and tire pressure monitoring system which is newly offered on all 2008 models. All these features are added to lessen the chances of a collision.

Many standard passive safety features found in Audi vehicles are designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision. Aside from standard features, there are also several optional safety features offered that enhance driving experience such as the Audi lane assist.  This new safety feature is equipped with camera that monitors the vehicle’s path of travel, and will slightly vibrate the steering wheel once the driver swerve from its current lane without signaling. This calls the attention of the driver reminding him or her that he or she is changing lane. The sensitivity of the lane sensor can be adjusted using the Audi MMI controller.

Last 2006, Audi Q7 has offered an industry first in safety technology called Audi side assist which is a blind spot protection. It is now offered on the 2008 A6/S6 and A8/S8 models. This system is capable of monitoring up to 165 feet behind the vehicle and warns the driver whenever a vehicle appears in their blind spot. The Audi site assist helps ensure that the driver is aware that changing lanes could be dangerous and must therefore used extra caution.

 

Europe’s largest automaker, Volkswagen is not very pleased with its US operations. Last 2006 Volkswagen of America has sold 235,140 units but in the process lost around USD 867 million.  Automobilwoche has been able to get their hands on Volkswagen’s ‘Strategy 2018’— these are internal documents that reveal some of the company’s plans for the US in the coming years.

And now that Volkswagen of America is headed by Stefan Jacoby replacing Adrian Hallmark, the German automaker is readying itself for a US offensive accompanied by some plans of overtaking Toyota as the world’s number one automaker. Mr. Jacoby has made a target of 800,000 sales in 2018whihc is tripled the 2006 sales figures. Volkswagen plans to achieve this with the construction of an additional US plant since VW’s Mexican plant is now closing to reaching its maximum capacity especially with two new models to be built to cater to American tastes.

One of these new models is the New Compact sedan (NCS) which is slightly longer than the 4.55 m Jetta. This model will help satisfy the need of Americans for a more spacious interior. The New Compact Sedan will also be made as the basis for the next generation Jetta which is presently built in Mexico and exported to Europe. Volkswagen of America aims to build 160,000 units annually that is according to the document obtained by Automobilwoche.

The second model will be the New Medium Sedan (NMS) which is basically an entry level Passat which Volkswagen of America plans to build and sell at least 120,000 units annually.

Before the transfer of Mr. Hallmark to the German Headquarter he has emphasized the need for more American friendly cars in the current lineup. As of now there are still no word from the German automaker whether these plans are to be executed in the future but as of now the automaker has to deal with problems of which include too complex air conditioning and heating controls.