Big VAG boost for MAN
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THIS WEEK director of MAN-VW Truck and Bus Richard Ide ended the nine-month silence since major shareholder VAG took control. He told CM that £5.6m has been allocated for company development over the next three years. This is by far the highest level of investment since MAN came into Britain back in 1973.
The company aims to improve its market share, which currently stands at about 2 per cent, to 5 per cent.
Lonhro, which owns VAG (UK) Ltd, owns 80 per cent of MANVW Truck and Bus Ltd shares. The balance is equally divided between VW and MAN Munich.
The company's range extends from the Golf van at the light end of the market place through to 38-tonne tractive units and heavy specialist vehicles.
MAN-VW's dealer network has been rationalised to provide profit incentive but the company does not intend to become involved in a price discount war.
There are now 120 light commercial dealers of whom 40 have been selected to handle the MT range also. Of that 40, just 16 deal in heavy vehicle sales.