MAN to launch LCV based on new VW Crafter

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Author: James Dallas

Heavy truck manufacturer MAN is to launch a light commercial vehicle based on the next generation Volkswagen Crafter.

Badged the MAN TGE, VW will assemble the large van on the same platform as the Crafter at its newly-built plant in Wrzesnia, Poland.

The current generation Crafter is based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and built at Merc’s plants in Dusseldorf and Ludwigsfelde in Germany.

MAN is 75% owned by VW and the brand said the addition of the TGE will enable it to compete in markets spanning from 3.0- to 44.0- tonnes.

MAN’s boss Joachim Drees said: “By launching the MAN light commercial vehicle positioned below our MAN TGL light truck range, we are entering a new business area. Many of our customers with heavy commercial vehicles in their fleets have a requirement for light commercial vehicles as well, so the MAN TGE constitutes a smart enhancement to our already established vehicle range.”

Simon Elliott, managing director of MAN Truck & Bus UK, said, “Customers have repeatedly asked me about the possibility of a MAN van, so it’s great to be able to confirm that we are in the market.

“This new addition to our range puts another building block in place for our future. We are keen to offer the HGV approach to repair and maintenance for our customers by reducing operator downtime.”

Elliott has appointed Andrew Taylor to head up MAN’s van operation in the UK.

The manufacturer is set to reveal the TGE at the 2016 Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show next September before it goes on sale in 2017.

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