MAN-VW rings the changes for Eighties
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'IAN-VW is aiming to sell 10,000 vehicles in the UK this year, Iccording to John Jackson, marketing director.
This total will be made up of 8000 light vehicles, 1000 medium and 1000 heavy and specialised.
Sales of the heavy range will in fact be doubled and will give MAN-VW a 6 per cent share of the UK market.
Last year, said Mr Jackson, had been very successful for the company, with the VW LT taking second place in the medium van sector. Its 17.5 per cent share was up 60 per cent on 1978, largely due to repeat orders.
The higher weight MT range would, said Mr Jackson, be available in Britain from April and the 1000 units should capture 4 per cent of its market category.
The dealer network is nearing completion, lie explained, and there are to be 100 outlets for light vehicles, 40 for medium and 30 for heavies. However some of the light/ medium and medium /heavy dealers will overlap.
Turning to the psv front, Mr Jackson spoke of the five articulated Bendibuses in operation in Sheffield and the first luxury coach going into operation.
By the end of the year there will be over 40 SR 280 coaches in service. To co-ordinate and service this attack on the UK market, MAN-VW is moving its headquarters from West London to• Swindon. A purpose built factory — part of a £3m investment programme — is being constructed on a 16-acre site on the Blagrove Industrial Estate.
There all functions of the 'company — sales, marketing, after sales and administration — will be housed.
In addition, it will hold the southern parts distribution centre and a training school.
The Swindon base will become operational next year and will be developed over the next four to ten years to cover a total of 220,000sqft.
For the north, the existing Bradford operation will continue as northern parts and after sale support centre.