Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced that it is extending opening hours across its dealer network. This should mean increased flexibility to get your VW van or Amarok pickup truck serviced at a time that’s more convenient to you.
The move – which applies to the entire VWCV dealer network, comprising 72 Van Centres and 24 Authorised Repairers – is aimed at minimising vehicle downtime during working hours.
This should in turn help operators save money.
What are the extended hours exactly?
Glad you asked, as it’s not actually that straightforward.
Instead each of VW Commercial Vehicles’ servicing points now offer ‘at least one of’ the following:
- Vehicle drop-off on demand up to 8pm
- Availability of Mobile Service Clinic vans (see below)
- Open for business 13 hours a day, three days a week or more
- Open for business 16 hours a day, three days a week or more
So it all sounds very promising, but you are going to need to check with your local centre to see what exactly is available to you.
This is particularly the case for the Mobile Service Clinic vans – which are Volkswagen Crafters converted into portable workshops, as we’ve covered before.
There are currently only seven of these in action in the entire country, with a further three planned; more are ‘under consideration’ at the moment.
Why has VW extended its Commercial Vehicles opening hours?
According to head of service and parts at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Trevor Hodgson-Phillips, ‘It’s vital that we [VW] continue to adapt to the needs of the customer and offer the best service available within the industry.’
He continued: ‘With extended opening hours now available across the entire Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles network, we are further strengthening partnerships with our customers, listening to them and offering the service they need.’
It also pre-empts the arrival of the MAN TGE later in 2017; based on the latest VW Crafter, MAN’s first van will have access to the brand’s comprehensive truck servicing network, which it plans to leverage as a major selling point.
VW launches new Mobile Service Clinics for van fleet customers
MAN’s first van – new TGE officially unveiled at 2016 IAA show
The brand new VW Crafter joins the Parkers Vans long-term test fleet
