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Since launch, has the tGe met production and sales expectations?

Yes, demand and sales for the TGE light commercial range over exceed our expectations. For example, our projections were to reach 20,000 units annually by 2022 but we achieved in excess of 22,000 last year. That figure should have been more actually, if not for various well reported issues.

What differentiates the tGe from the vWcv crafter on which it is based?

MAN’s LCV strategy is primarily based on Business to Business, where it’s more focussed on the transport company’s application and operation, based on specification, body configurations and aftersales.

Being aligned to the MAN Truck & Bus dealer network is a big advantage and benefit to customers as they have the technical personnel, heavy duty equipment and tools for the job, as well as offering 24/7 service uptime and finance packages.

Our TGE customer profile is broad, [ranging] from large fleet operators, such as the main multi-national express delivery service providers to SME’s – small to medium business owners.

With the TGE, we can provide a wider selection of specification, especially at the heavy end, such as all-wheel-drive, heavy rear axle, air suspension and various authorised body types.

other manufacturers have stated that with euro 7 the lcv market will shift even more towards bev (battery electric) vehicles: what is your opinion about that?

All van brands are now offering BEVs, with lower energy and running costs being the main advantage, as well as being emission-free. Instead of going to Euro 7, it is best to focus from below and to persuade the EU to encourage operators with pre-Euro 5 commercial vehicles to invest in electric vans or the latest Euro 6 Stage 5 (E) exhaust emission level, through a scrappage scheme perhaps.

Regarding the situation in ukraine with the invasion by Russia, and following on from the covid-19 pandemic, is Man still meeting delivery targets with the tGe?

Luckily we only did have a very short disruption of 2 weeks as everything was prepared and under control by a dedicated task force team to keep the supply of parts and components going at the VWCV Factory in Września, Poland, where the TGE range is made. As you know the MAN Truck plant in Munich and Krakow had to suspend production, but thankfully, the situation has stabilised and the factories are back manufacturing again.

What about the derivatives of the etGe? is there a demand also for chassis/box/tipper versions as well as the panel van?

As with the current trend, 90% of eTGE sales are from the growing ecommerce/homedelivery service providers, with the remainder directed towards various body conversions, such as the 3-Way tipper, box body or combi. Trades peoples’ requests can also be met with numerous storage solutions and systems.

With the launch of the Ford e-transit to be followed by the e-transit custom, will the cooperation between volkswagen and Ford influence the Man-van portfolio? can you also imagine ‘smaller’ Man vans, for instance, the tG.buzz?

No, as the VW-Ford collaboration will not affect MAN as the TGE is primarily an LCV and not focussed on passenger car type customers. Therefore, there will be no TG.Buzz, for example.

One-to-One with Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO, MAN Truck & Bus

as traton Group stated last year, the future for trucks is electric (and not hydrogen). in the van segment, a growing number of oeM’s are looking to hydrogen as a range extender. What are the views of Man on hydrogen in the van segment, and will we ever see a Man van with a fuel cell?

Probably not, as this alternative energy source is not in our plans at present, mainly due to the costs involved, the lack of infrastructure etc. BEV is a better option currently, thanks to an improving charging point network and constant investment in the technology.

is Man considering to enlarge the van network to non-trucks dealers to have more proximity to city-based companies?

We have a broad specialised van sales network across Europe with these dealer points offering extended hours service, with authorised body conversions located nearby. Our fleet sales structure allows for dealer integration, to ensure customer preference and that works also for our global accounts with the big fleet operators by taking the central approach.

Did you happen to regain some old Man van customers from some decades ago? they too were based on volkswagen commercials.

Not really as this collaboration was a long time ago. Production of the MAN G90 using the Volkswagen LT body started in 1979 and ended in 1993 with 72,000 units produced. The G series catered for above the weight category of the current TGE.