Official SMMT figures show sales of vans (up to 3.5 tonnes) fell 10% up to the end of June, but Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles bucked this trend to achieve almost identical sales as the same period last year, and actually increased its market share from 11.4 to 12.6%

‘We have Transporter, Crafter and Amarok customers to thank for our success,’ said Alex Smith, director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.  ‘In addition, low running costs, strong residual values and affordable finance offers continue to make Volkswagen vans a wiser and more desirable investment.

‘The Transporter is still our most popular van and increased sales in the period, while since its launch in the second half of 2011, the new Crafter is proving particularly successful with sales up almost 30% this year.  The increased supply of the new Amarok pick-up has also boosted our results,’ he continued.