The free service ensures that all VW Assured Dealers are given notice of what VW commercial vehicles are available at sales around the UK.

With 48-hours notice, the dealers are given an opportunity to bid on vehicles such as the Caddy which made its debut – and exceeded all expectations – in Coventry recently.

A Volkswagen Caddy TDI sold for £10,000, 94.7% of list price, with the SDI model also selling well, achieving up to £8,550, the equivalent to 88.6% of list price. All Caddys on offer sold and the overall conversion rate for the entire sale was 90%. The VW T5 Transporter also made a successful appearance at the sale, with prices 7% higher than at its debut at Manheim Auctions in May 2004.

Andy Bateman, Volkswagen’s used vehicle manager for commercial vehicles, was delighted with the result. He said: ‘This is great news for Volkswagen. The last 18 months have been hugely successful for us. We have a great network, great new product with more on the way and this used entry just adds to our reputation as a brand with strong, reliable residual values.’

Commenting on the launch of the new e-mail alert service, and the Caddy launch, Alex Wright, Manheim commercial vehicle sales director, said: ‘We have been working with VW to build on the service we offer to its network and the dealers were positive about this latest addition. From their desks, dealers can view what stock will be available at our auction centres and this combined with LCV Market Prices, which was also demonstrated at the sale, ensures our customers are kept bang up-to-date with what Manheim can offer.

‘This is the second big launch on to the used market that VW has had in the past six months – the T5 Transporter exceeded all expectations in the spring and the Caddy proved to be no exception.’