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The Volkswagen Caddy and Transporter models are the vehicles at the forefront of the manufacturer's range and have proved to be increasingly popular throughout 2007 and 2008.

2007 saw increases in sales for the eighth consecutive year and sales figures for 2008 emphasise that the popularity of the Volkswagen brand shows no signs of abating.

Ralf Schueler, head of marketing with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: "We're proud to have increased the number of Volkswagen commercial vehicle customers every year for eight years, but we certainly haven't rested on our laurels.

An offer on the van drivers' favourite Transporter and the introduction of the new Caddy Maxi in February is expected to ensure increases in the popularity of the fleet further throughout 2008," he added.

Beginning life as a sketch during the late 1940s, Volkswagen vans first began to roll off the production line in 1950 in the form of the VW Bulli.

Renamed as the Transporter due to a legal issue surrounding a trademark, the van quickly became a firm favourite with drivers. The one millionth vehicle was driven out of the factory in 1962 with the two million mark being hit only six years later in 1968.

The first light van was made in 1975 and named the Transporter T3, the development of which allowed Volkswagen to incorporate technological advances such as water-cooled engines and synchronised four wheel drive systems.

The Crafter and the Caddy's popularity continued during the 1980s and 1990s, and in 2004 and 2006 both vans were relaunched in contemporary styles whilst retaining the classic Volkswagen 'look'.

The Transporter is Volkswagen's oldest and best selling van. Originally drawn out in the 50s, the vehicle's appeal lies in its flexibility and durability.

It can be supplied with a short or long wheel base and can come in any of four TDI PD diesel engines ranging from 84 PS to 174 PS. Unit injector engine technology also helps the vehicle offer more economy through improved fuel consumption.

Offers such as free servicing and maintenance after three years or 30,000 miles (whichever comes first) should ensure that Volkswagen adds to the ten million vans already sold.

The smaller Volkswagen Caddy has a number of awards to its name due to the build quality and comfort it offers. These features helped it be judged the winner of the What Car? Technology award and the Best Small Van in the 2008 Fleet News awards by an industry panel.

"Superb build quality, proven reliability and fantastic residual values" were cited by the judging panel, which consisted of Peter Howard, head of fleet supply at British Telecom, Nick Skillman, director of Northgate and Martyn Moore and Trevor Gelken, editors of Fleet News and Fleet Van.

Chris Blue, national fleet manager with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said: "A strong reputation for reliability and class-leading whole life costs are key strengths of the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle range, so we're delighted that the Caddy as well as the Transporter and Crafter vans all achieved such a high profile in these awards.

Meanwhile, the Caddy Maxi received praise from John Fife, editor of Professional Van and Light Truck (PV & LT) awards after it won the award for best compact van.

He said that the big attraction of the Caddy Maxi is that "it provides one of the most comfortable driving experiences in the LCV sector. The trouble here is that once an employee gets his or her hands on it, anything else will be seen as a demotion".

The maxim for the Volkswagen Crafter, the biggest model in the manufacturers' commercial vehicle range is 'more flexibility, more functionality, more space'.

The Crafter can be supplied with a choice of three wheelbases, three roof heights and four load lengths and has a brand new range of engines available in a variety of power outputs ranging from the 88 PS TDI 2.5litre through to the 163 PS TDI 2.5 litre.

In April 2008, the Crafter was awarded the Van Derived Chassis Cab award at the PV< magazine's annual event.

Judges at the PV&LT said: "With its range of 2.5-litre, five cylinder engines, the Crafter has all the power and torque you could need in this size of vehicle.

"Add that to the spacious and comfy cab, and you have a mix that is hard to beat. The final clincher is that badge on the grille which inspires buyers to buy with confidence."

Meanwhile this year sees Volkswagen embracing the future with the Transporter Sportline Kombi panel van. Recently unveiled at the CV show at the beginning of April, the kombi is powered by a five-cylinder, 2.5-litre, 174 PS TDI PD.

The Transporter Sportline's distinctive combination of style, performance and kerbside appeal has quickly proved a great success, and now the kombi version offers the added practicality of a leisure and work vehicle in one," concluded Ralf Schueler, head of marketing with the company.

Total sales for Volkswagen vans reached 7,616 at the end of March this year, which is a 4.4 per cent increase on the first quarter of 2007. And with registrations of LCVs increasing by 1.4 per cent to 6,590 vehicles in the first quarter of 2008, the success of Volkswagen vans can only get better.