Volkswagen to Start 'Try Before You Buy' Program For Fleet Customers

The latest Volkswagen program for fleet customers will offer the possibility to road test the new VW Crafter for up to six months. The program is being called “try before you buy”. The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles division will be making about 80 units available to large fleet operations in the 3.5-tonne market.

The program will supply the department’s current demo vehicles, along with the extensive demo fleets of the VW Van Centre Network. Meanwhile, the Van Centre Network is looking to enlarge the unit number of demo vehicles to support local initiatives.

“Customers need vehicles that are to their specific requirements, that they can operate in their own individual environments and over a prolonged period of time in order to fully test them.” Alastair Hemmings National Fleet manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle.

The manufacturer has no plans in extending the program further, however, if successful it could be adapted to other vehicle models. Furthermore the car’s depreciation will be covered by Volkswagen.

“As part of the scheme, we will be in regular contact with the customers and asking for feedback throughout the review period. We believe that at the end of the six-month period, customers will want to buy them as they will have seen some the significant benefits that the Crafter offers – increase in payload and torque, reduction in fuel consumption and lower emissions.We would prefer that the vehicles are sold to the customer at the end of the period although we do understand that some customers may wish to return them,” Alastair Hemmings added.