Volkswagen will appoint a small number of specialist dealers to sell the new luxury D1 and the upmarket 4x4 sports utility vehicle under development with Porsche.

Robin Woolcock, Volkswagen Group UK chief executive, said the number would be “nearer 20 than 100”, with appointments in the more affluent areas.

VW has limited volume aspirations for D1 and the 4x4, which are due for launch next year. Dealers will be expected to adopt different selling techniques to secure business in a new model sector.

“These are not people who will wander into the showroom on a Saturday afternoon. We will be taking the car to them,” said Mr Woolcock.

Both vehicles will be powered by VW's range of new W-engines, including the W12 revealed at the Tokyo motor show. Mr Woolcock said he did not envisage any conflict with group partner Audi over the new luxury vehicles.

“Many people have questioned the group's platform strategy across VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda, but it is clearly working,” he said. “We see it as offering four different choices.”