Full details of the MAN TGE model haven’t been announced but the firm, which is majority owned by Volkswagen, said the model has been developed by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles based on the Crafter and will be built alongside the VW LCV in the new plant in Wrzesnia, Poland. It will debut at the 2016 IAA and will be available from 2017.

The brands added that the cooperation “is expected to create strategic benefits in acquiring new groups of customers”.

The move will mean that MAN now offers a full range of commercial vehicles between three and 44 tons as well as special vehicle body solutions.

MAN Truck & Bus CEO Joachim Drees said: "By launching the MAN light commercial vehicle positioned below our MAN TGL light truck range, we are entering a new business area. Many of our customers with heavy commercial vehicles in their fleets have a requirement for light commercial vehicles as well, so the MAN TGE constitutes a smart enhancement to our already established vehicle range.

"We know exactly what our customers need and which areas they operate in, and the vehicle solutions and bodies we will offer them will be a perfect fit to their needs and applications. Professional service and also a wide range of solutions from our well established truck business will set standards in this weight range and I'm sure the customers of our light commercial vehicles will be very excited by their introduction as well."