Revisions to the Sharan range and resulting price changes are due to be announced next month after Volkswagen's MPV sales were hit harder than expected by the arrival of the SEAT Alhambra. In a letter to fleet customers, Volkswagen head of fleet Vincent Kinner said: 'The result of these changes will be to place our cars on an equipment adjusted basis at a level where they remain equal to, or less than, the cost of their direct competitors. This will become clearer when our new price list is issued at the beginning of September.'

The moves come as the manufacturer struggles to cope with overwhelming demand for the Passat and the soon-to-be-replaced Mk 3 Golf. British customers will only be moderately cheered by the news that their German counterparts are also having to wait up to four months to take delivery of certain Passat models.

Golf estate and Cabriolet, Polo, Vento and Sharan are unaffected by supply problems. Orders for Passats, Polos and Golfs placed before Monday, September 1, will be honoured at existing prices regardless of delivery dates.