VW commercial vehicles ups telematics offering

VOLKSWAGEN Commercial Vehicles has announced a partnership with Connected Cars, incorporating the Danish technology provider’s telematics solutions into its range of light commercial vehicles.

The global partnership will incorporate various Connected Cars systems, including CC-Link telematics hardware, CC-DataStream cloud platform, and ConnectedWorkshop dealer interface, into Volkswagen’s Connect Pro fleet management system offered across its van range.

According to Volkswagen, the telematics solutions will enable predictive maintenance and real-time diagnostics, with the aim of improving vehicle uptime and fleet efficiency for business customers.

The rollout of the enhanced Connect Pro system will be staged across the next five years, with “priority markets” across Europe the first to receive it – but Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has not outlined the specific markets it intends to prioritise.

GoAuto asked Volkswagen Australia whether the system is likely to make its way Down Under soon, or whether it’s being prioritised by the manufacturer’s local arm, to which a spokesperson said, “This a global announcement currently. If there is anything further to add, we will update you in due course”.

Given Australia’s red-hot van market, which saw continued growth across 2024 with small van sales of 1430 units (up 19.4 per cent YoY) and medium van sales of 12,082 units (up 25.2 per cent YoY), an all-in-one telematics solution could help Volkswagen’s popular Caddy maintain its segment lead as the Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo nip at its heels.

The system could also help the incoming T7 Volkswagen Transporter, set to land in showrooms from October, as the struggling nameplate – which has seen just 118 sales to the end of August – goes head-to-head with the popular Hyundai Staria Load (1959 units) and its dominant twin-under-the-skin Ford Transit Custom (2160 units).

Volkswagen’s T7 line-up, which is based on Ford’s Transit Custom, will be offered with diesel, plug-in hybrid and battery electric powertrains, priced from a compelling $58,590 in base short wheelbase turbo-diesel specification.

“Integrating Connected Cars’ solutions into our ecosystem for business customers is a natural fit with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ digitalisation strategy,” said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles head of product marketing and connectivity Kersten Lange.

“This collaboration allows us to deliver real-time diagnostics and predictive maintenance capabilities to our dealers and fleet customers European-wide, reinforcing our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

“It’s a strategically important alliance that underscores Volkswagen’s dedication to providing best-in-class connected services for commercial vehicle operators.”