Volkswagen Crafty test drive promotion's £5000 prize

As many van drivers and tradesmen look to down tools for a week or two and enjoy the warm weather with a well-earned break, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is giving the chance for them to boost their business too.

While enjoying the summer sunshine, tradesmen including plumbers, builders and electricians are being given the chance to get £5,000 of tools for their business.

Everyone taking a test drive in Volkswagen’s new Crafter van will be entered into a prize draw to win work-related equipment.

Simon Elliott, director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: “As a company it’s important we continually look after our customers; this is one incentive to enable us to do just that.

“I’m sure all tradesmen and van drivers would welcome £5,000 of new business tools and hope to see many in the coming over the summer.

“By simply taking a Crafter for a test drive someone in our region could win £5,000 to help their business.”

To qualify for the £5,000 prize entrants must take a test drive in the Crafter before 30 September 2010.

Volkswagen seek 60-year-old tradesmen to share Transporter Van's birthday celebrations

Volkswagen has launched a search for the nation’s hardest-working 60-year-old tradesman to share the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Transporter commercial vehicle.

Since the Volkswagen Transporter was first introduced in the UK March 1950, the vehicle has undergone five generations of body-style and more than 10 million have been produced, making it one of the most popular vans on the country’s roads.

To mark the Transporter’s 60th anniversary, Volkswagen is searching for tradesmen with the same staying-power as the Transporter.

Simon Elliott, director of Commercial Vehicles said: “1950 marked an important era for the automotive world and the Volkswagen Transporter has become one of the most iconic vans on the road today. We are looking for local tradesman who can boast the same – they’re hard-working, enduring, they’ve evolved through the decades to become better at what they do and, above all, they’re 60 this year.

“We know there are lots of tradesmen of that age in the UK and we want to recognise them. We’re asking anyone eligible to contact us and tell us what they do, how long they’ve been doing it and why they believe they’re the hardest working tradesman in the area.

“We’ll pick a winner and they can share in the Transporter’s 60th birthday celebrations, complete with a cake!” added Simon.

The first generation of the Transporter, known as a split screen or camper van, was an instant success amongst Britain’s motorists. Since then, the Transporter has been through various stages of development; seeing a diesel engine introduced in 1980, and a four-wheel-drive version in 1985. Later models have received a host of awards including the Van of the Year accolade by What Van? in 2004.

The latest Transporter model, T-5, arrived on forecourts earlier this year, offering lower CO2 emissions, improved torque and a wide range of standard safety and optional features, including industry-leading Lane Change Assist.

However the design has evolved over the years, the first and the latest Transporter share the same badge on the front and the same design principles - a generous load-space and an enviable reputation for quality and durability.

Anyone wanting to nominate a candidate can do so by contacting us at transporter60@connect-group.com or via Twitter at www.twitter.com/volkswagen-cv by August 27th.