22 November 2007: A remarkable milestone has been reached as Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has now produced in excess of 10 million examples of the iconic Transporter van. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the model.
The Volkswagen Transporter is unique. Not only is it one of the most easily recognised vans ever designed, it's also built up a loyal following. Its popularity has been sustained, remaining Volkswagen's best-selling van and the number one imported van in the UK.
This success is not just due to the Transporter's style and design, but also Volkswagen's enviable reputation for quality, durability and competitive whole life costs, a nationwide network of dedicated Van Centres, plus the wide range of derivatives available to suit everyone's needs. This includes: low, medium and high roofs, short- and long-wheelbases, generous payloads, a choice of four and five-cylinder TDI engines; plus Shuttle and Caravelle people carrier models and the California campervan
In the UK, this landmark production figure is now the focus of a new advertising campaign using the strap-line, '10 Million Transporter Drivers Can't Be Wrong'
Marking the milestone, Robert Hazelwood, Director, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles commented: 'This is an incredible achievement and we're proud of the success and popularity the Transporter has achieved.'
Facts from the history of the Volkswagen Transporter:
1. 1947: first design sketch of the rear-engined Transporter produced
2. 1950: Production of the first generation, 'split-screen' Transporter started in Wolfsburg for the 1950 model year with an air-cooled, 1131 cc engine developing 25 PS borrowed from the Volkswagen Beetle. By comparison, today's Transporter has a choice of four TDI PD diesel engines from 1.9-litres to 2.5-litres, producing from 84 PS to 174 PS
3. 1955: Volkswagen imported the first Transporter to the UK
4. 1956: Transporter production moved to a new Volkswagen factory in Hanover.
5. 1967: The second generation, 'bay window' Transporter was introduced. Over three million were made during 12 years of production. It's still produced to this day in Mexico
6. 1979: The third generation Transporter was introduced
7. 1982: After 32 years and with production totalling over five million vehicles, the Transporter switched from air-cooled to water-cooled engines - still rear-mounted
8. 1990: The fourth generation Transporter was introduced and became the first to have the engine at the front to leave a completely flat load area
9. 2003: The current, fifth generation Transporter made its debut
10. 2007: Rock legends, The Who, performed live at an official event to celebrate 60 years of Volkswagen vans held in Hanover, Germany, which attracted 71,000 visitors with an amazing selection of over 5,000 Transporter vans
Class Campers 2007
Source:www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/11/22/071752.html