Triple triumph for Volkswagen at Business Van of the Year Awards 2016
Best Finance & Service Package - Volkswagen
Best Pick-up - Volkswagen Amarok
Best Crew Van - Volkswagen Transporter Kombi
Independent Business Van of the Year Awards run by Business Vans
Supported by Vanarama, an award winning supplier of van leasing to SMEs
Volkswagen picked up three awards at the 2016 Business Van of the Year Awards run by Business Vans. The manufacturer collected Best Finance & Service Package Award, the Best Pick-Up for the Amarok 2.0 Trendline 180PS 4motion and Best Crew Van Award for the Transporter Kombi 2.0 Startline.
Now in their third year, the Business Van of the Year Awards, sponsored by van leasing experts Vanarama, are the premier awards for the light commercial vehicle industry. And this year competition was even fiercer as the manufacturers battled it out for the top honours.
Best Finance & Service Package: Volkswagen
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle finance experts work with customers to understand their business needs before recommending any products, the judges recognised. The finance team handles every aspect of the application, taking care of everything to ensure that contracts are processed quickly and efficiently - just what you need for small businesses.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also offers helpful advice, affordable finance, maintenance and servicing, all designed to keep vans running more efficiently for longer through its extensive network of 100 Van Centres and Authorised Repairers nationwide.
To ensure that customers receive the same quality service, whichever centre they visit, Volkswagen offers a ten-point service promise to its customers, including a quote before work starts, customers being advised beforehand if additional work is needed, a guaranteed appointment within five working days and a courtesy vehicle while repairs are being carried out.
Dave Bowen, Chairman of the Judges and Managing Director of BT Fleet, said: "Despite hot competition from rivals, Volkswagen's range of competitively-priced finance products to help UK business customers, continue to be the best solution for financing, leasing and insuring commercial vehicles."
Best Pick-Up: Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 Trendline 180PS 4motion
The Volkswagen Amarok wins the best pick up award simply because the winning 2.0-litre Trendline 180PS 4motion version is perfect for small firms and traders who want a no-nonsense workhorse with a higher level of specification and four-wheel drive traction.
A load compartment protective coating can be specified as an option, while if your business plans to be towing equipment, then tachograph preparation can be ordered if required.
But it's not just the practical nature of the Amarok that makes it a winner, said the judges. The range of options to enhance the pick-up's looks include items like optional side bars and steps, style bars for the rear loadspace, or 19-inch alloy wheels.
Dave Bowen, Chairman of the Judges and Managing Director of BT Fleet: "The Amarok came top again simply because the winning 2.0-litre Trendline 180PS 4motion version is perfect for small firms and traders who want a no-nonsense workhorse with a higher level of specification. The range-topping Highline is for those who want even more luxury!"
Best Crew Van: Volkswagen Transporter Kombi 2.0 Startline
This is not the same Transporter that won last year, as Volkswagen decided in mid-2015 to launch the latest T6 version of their iconic van. On first look the T6 looks like a tweaked T5, but underneath the evolutionary styling there have been some major updates to the engines and interior.
The Transporter panel vans remain very popular with drivers, so it's nice to see that when compared to rivals, with its large load area and if you're regularly carrying a crew to a job, the Volkswagen can cut the mustard too.
The Kombi version of the T6 Transporter continues to be a tax-efficient duel use vehicle. A working van during the day, but with that extra bench seat practicality, plus sliding rear windows, the Transporter Kombi then transforms into a family vehicle. This Transporter also benefits from the some of the latest technology previously debuted in Volkswagen car models, such as the Automatic Post-Collision Braking system.
Dave Bowen, Chairman of the Judges and Managing Director of BT Fleet:
"Buyers who like creature comforts won't be frightened away from the latest Transporter, as standard equipment levels are generous. The entry-level Transporter Kombi 2.0 TDI T32 Startline SWB MR 102PS includes power and heated door mirrors, electric front windows, Bluetooth connectivity and a DAB radio. There's also the benefit of a curvier dashboard with plenty of extra stowage.
"The Transporter is as comfortable, refined and easy to drive as any Volkswagen car. The 102PS 2.0-litre TDi diesel now meets Euro 5 emissions regulations and there's even a DSG semi-automatic transmission option for extra convenience if you need it."
Martyn Collins, editor of Business Vans, said: "Choosing the right vehicles for the job is a serious business and one which many van operators get wrong - sometimes with costly consequences. So these Awards highlight the best vans, financing and business support programmes for traders, small businesses and small fleet van operators in the SME sector."
The Business Van of the Year Awards were judged by an independent panel of experts:
Dave Bowen, managing director, BT Fleet - chair of the judges.
Andy Alderson, managing director, Vanarama
Duncan Ward, regional operational director, BCA
Jayson Whittington, manager of commercial vehicle and leisure valuations, Glass's
Eddie Parker, fleet CV consultant EMEA, GE Capital Fleet
James Davis, director of commercial vehicles, Manheim
Business Vans serves the small business, trades and SME van fleet sector with information on business vans. The news portal and e-newsletter specialises in talking to micro business (fewer than 10 employees) to the larger small enterprise with more than 25 vans on its books.
Click here for full details of the Awards go to: http://www.businessvans.co.uk/van-news/business-van-of-the-year-2016-van-news/
Contact:
Ralph Morton, editorial director
07970 165 328
editor@businesscarmanager.co.uk