Volkswagen looking to end van partnership with Mercedes - report

Crafter BlueMotion concept

VW eyeing a closer relationship with MAN

Volkswagen is reportedly looking to end their van partnership with Mercedes-Benz.

While the agreement isn't slated to expire until 2016, sources have indicated that Volkswagen has already started to develop a Crafter successor on their own. As we have previously reported, the two companies combined their resources to develop the current generation Crafter and Sprinter. Mercedes had hoped to continue their partnership with Volkswagen, but the latter company has apparently decided to team up with MAN because they own a majority stake in the company.

In related news, Volkswagen announced plans to seek a "domination and profit transfer agreement" with MAN as a way to better integrate their commercial vehicle lineups. Volkswagen says the move would simplify collaboration and increase the competitiveness of both companies.

Source: Volkswagen and Reuters

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Jan 9, 2013 3:30 pm By Michael Gauthier

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German Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen

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(translated)

Volkswagen aims to control and profit with MAN

Another step towards an integrated commercial vehicle group

The goal is to increase and simplify collaboration in the commercial vehicle business
Wolfsburg 09th, January 2013 - Volkswagen is seeking to enter into a domination and profit transfer agreement with MAN SE and is to hold discussions with the Board. The planned step is a further milestone on the way towards an integrated commercial vehicle group.

By entering into a domination and profit to increase and simplify collaboration between Volkswagen and MAN possible and thus the competitiveness of both companies rose. Volkswagen currently holds 75.03 percent of the voting rights in MAN SE. Volkswagen had always stressed to pursue the creation of an integrated commercial vehicle group active and for this purpose to keep all options open.

The Volkswagen Group also reiterated that the business of keeping the MAN brand-specific properties and business in the Volkswagen Group will be continued with a control and profit. Volkswagen also respected course worker rights fully and firmly committed to MAN and their employees.

The goal is to take the necessary steps to complete the domination and profit quickly initiate. For further details will inform the company.

VW takes majority in MAN

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Hellbound

Both of these vans are rust buckets from the cabin rearwards. It's quite extraordinary really that in this day and age they manufacture vans that corrode so quickly. Whatever happens, I hope the next Sprinter or Crafter doesn't fall apart. Great vans, awful shells.

January 9, 2013 6:00 pm

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maloparac

Why they just not to build a new model parallel with Crafter, which would be above 3.5T...something like they did with MAN in 80s

January 9, 2013 10:20 pm

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VWinsider

Considering the New Mercedes Citan is based on a Renault Kangoo I would say the relationship is allready over?

January 10, 2013 8:10 am

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rambo_005

A lot has changed since VW and Daimler first started working together... the day that VW became the biggest truck maker in Europe was a sign that they would stop working with Daimler = their biggest competitor.

January 10, 2013 8:41 am

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