Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles - Stallion Motors Limited, importers and distributors of assorted brands of automobiles, has said that it has won exclusive rights to represent Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Nigeria. This, the auto company said was in addition to its foregoing dealership for Volkswagen passenger cars. Stallion said by virtue of the contract, it would co-ordinate sale, after-sales and warranty support for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles using its network of reputable sales and service outlets across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, noting that it has over the years demonstrated irrevocable representation for other Volkswagen brands such as Skoda, Audi and Porsche.

Group Managing Director (automobile), Stallion Motors Limited, Mr. Pavir Singh, said the introduction of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to Nigeria is unprecedented in the quest for alternative commercial vehicles with distinctive character and excellent performance.

He told the automobile media and company representatives at the launch and unveiling of the brand in Lagos that Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle range would change customers' predisposition to some particular brands of vehicles and acquaint them with a tested German brand from an experienced automaker with exceptional expertise in commercial vehicles.

He said the decision to usher in German engineered commercial vehicles was viewed against an independent study that venerate the teeming demand for brilliantly and thoroughly engineered commercial vehicles that can stand the test of time.

"The introduction of VW Commercial Vehicles into the local market is aimed to satisfy the yearnings of intelligent and discerning customers as well as discerning blue chip companies that are in need of exceptionally-engineered commercial vehicles, adding that German engineered automobiles are intelligent vehicles with utmost precision to deliver optimum output without sacrificing performance.

He said Stallion Motors' dedicated service outlets across the country have been equipped with genuine Volkswagen parts and German-trained technicians to provide technical and miscellaneous support for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

Some of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles that were unveiled at the launch include the iconic Volkswagen Amarok Pick-up, VW Transporter, Caddy Panel Van and Caddy 7-seater passenger MPV (also known as Maxi Life). He said the Caravelle and Crafter variants would be introduced later in the year.

Director, Sales and Marketing, (Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles), Mr. Amit Sharma, described the Amarok Pick-up 'Volkswagen icing on the cake', noting that its name comes from the Inuit language meaning 'Wolf'. He said like its namesake, the Amarok feels at home in the wilderness and meets the most exacting off-road requirements, adding that the Amarok has impressively demonstrated that it could calmly cope with the most stringent conditions especially during its first endurance test at the arduos rally in the world.

"At the 2011 Dakar Rally, the Amarok was the official escort vehicle used through Agentina and Chile, and neither temperatures of 50 degree centigrade nor mountain towering over 4,500 metres high could daunt the pickup as it passed the almost 9,000 kilometre endurance test with flying colours. So whether shifting a 1,000kg load up a 100 per cent gradient, or covering 1,000 kilometres on one tank, the Amarok is ever ready to take the toughest challenges in its stride," Sharma said.

Sharma said the Volkswagen Transporter series are traditionally light commercial vehicles comprising of Vans, Minibuses, and other utility vehicles.

He said the Transporter Panel Van, for example, has an unlimited flexibility with a choice of two wheelbases and three different roof heights.

"So, depending on the configuration, the panel van offers appreciable load compartment volume.

The Transporter can be effectively loaded to full capacity thanks to the almost vertical side panels which makes loading and unloading an easy task coupled with the tailgate and sliding door.

This category of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles shall be pitched with traditional competitors like Toyota Hiace and Nissan Urvan.

He said the Volkswagen Caddy Panel Van is a vehicle that sets standards when it comes to superior quality, clever use of space and groundbreaking efficiency, describing it as a brilliant all-rounder with great mpg and huge space in the rear. He said the Caddy panel van drives like a car but exhibits an appearance that conveys the highest level of competence, quality and performance, adding that the vehicle is striking, high-grade, robust and extremely versatile with an equipment options that allow users to easily tailor it to individual specific requirements.

"What's more, the Caddy Panel Van combines a roomy load compartment that is conveniently accessed not only via the rear but also through a 70 cm-wide sliding door - the widest sliding door in its class," he said, noting that the Caddy 7-Seater is the passenger car version of the panel van.

He said the Caddy for seven has a very advanced range of state-of-the-art engines with appreciable performance, reduced fuel consumption and reduced levels of carbon emission.

Phillip Oladunjoye

Daily Independent/24/06/2011