VW News: Volkswagen Makes It Official, I.D. Buzz To Go On Sale in 2022

[William Maley]

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Ever since the Volkswagen Buzz I.D. concept made its debut, rumors have been flying as to whether or not the German automaker would go forward with it. Yesterday at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Volkswagen finally put the rumors to rest. 

"After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, 'please build this car’,” said Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess.  

"The Microbus has long been part of the California lifestyle. Now we're bringing it back by reinventing it as an electric vehicle."

Before you start lining up at your Volkswagen dealer, the company says the model will not launch till 2022. Models such as the I.D. hatchback and I.D. Crozz will go on sale first.

The production variant will be based on Volkswagen's upcoming MEB platform. Rear-wheel drive will be standard, while AWD will be an option. Volkswagen is also planning to offer the Buzz as both a passenger van and a cargo van.

Source: Volkswagen
Press Release is on Page 2

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VOLKSWAGEN TAKES BOLD DECISION TO PUT I.D. BUZZ ELECTRIC CONCEPT CAR INTO PRODUCTION

• Volkswagen management announces production plans for the 21st century Microbus at the home of the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance

Pebble Beach, California – At the Detroit Show in early 2017, Volkswagen showed the I.D. BUZZ concept car, a fully electric vehicle that taps in to the spirit and vibe that made the VW Microbus such an iconic vehicle — whether with Hippies and families in the Sixties or Surfer Dudes and Van Lifers today.

Now, Volkswagen has taken the bold decision to put the Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ concept car into production and Volkswagen’s CEO of the North American Region, Hinrich J. Woebcken is happy to welcome the car to North America.  The Chairmen of the Boards of Management of the Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brands, Dr Herbert Diess and Dr Eckhard Scholz, announced the decision today at one of the most prestigious automotive events in the world — the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California. 

Within the framework of further development, Volkswagen has also set a launch date for the I.D. BUZZ. The vehicle will arrive at dealerships in 2022, after the compact four-door I.D. makes its debut. With the I.D. BUZZ, Volkswagen is mainly targeting markets in North America, Europe and China.

"After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, 'please build this car’,” Volkswagen CEO Dr Herbert Diess said in Pebble Beach. The Board of Management chose Pebble Beach as the location to make its announcement because, as Diess explained: "The Microbus has long been part of the California lifestyle. Now we're bringing it back by reinventing it as an electric vehicle."

Just like the concept car that was shown in Detroit, the production model will also have its batteries mounted in the vehicle floor. Because the electric drive components — electric motor, power electronics, and such —don't take up much space, the vehicle has a long wheelbase with short overhangs, allowing for a massively spacious interior and great proportions. "The vehicle looks like a compact commercial van on the outside, even though it offers the generous interior space of a large SUV," Diess explained.

CEO of the North American Region, Volkswagen, Hinrich J. Woebcken added: “We are delighted that our parent company has taken the decision to produce the I.D. BUZZ. This vehicle is the perfect balance between emotion, usability and sustainability, while also showcasing our technological leadership. The high seating position, cargo capacity, overall versatility and all-wheel drive option packaged into such an appealing design is just what our customers want from us. And it’s the perfect fit for the zero-emissions American lifestyle.”

The I.D. BUZZ won’t just be a passenger vehicle. Just like the classic T2, the I.D. BUZZ will both haul people and haul freight. "Along with a minibus version, we'll also be offering an I.D. BUZZ CARGO variant for zero-emissions delivery of goods,” said Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles CEO Dr Eckhard Scholz. "With Level 3 autonomous capability, this is an ideal concept for an electric van, particularly for delivering packages and goods to the inner cities."

Although Volkswagen's oldest and newest Microbuses will be separated by more than seven decades when the new model is launched, the I.D. BUZZ undoubtedly has the original's genes, as it offers maximum utilization of space on the footprint of a mid-size passenger car. Based on the new all-electric architecture, the production version of the I.D. BUZZ will incorporate many design ideas from the concept car, including multi-variable seating, interactive connectivity and highly automated driving.

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[smk4565]

Seems like a good idea to put it on sale, this could catch on again.  Once autonomous cars get more common, a van makes the most sense.  Because if you aren't driving and just lounging around or even sleeping until you get to your destination, a van has the space.  And for autonomous ride sharing, a van could hold more people.

[riviera74]

Dear GM:

What is your answer to this vehicle?  Moreover, when can we buy one?

[oldshurst442]

1 hour ago, riviera74 said:

Dear GM:

What is your answer to this vehicle?  Moreover, when can we buy one?

Should there be a response to this vehicle?

Before you respond to me with a WTF you talking about Willis attitude...

Hear me out on this one...

The I.D. Buzz is meant for Hippie revival sentiments

 

Its all cool and all...but if I wanted 1970s emotions revisited (with an electric flair to it)...Id go with something like this...

 

And if an electric muscle car does not fit with the 2022 time-line because vans and SUVs make more sense then at least GM could answer with a more less hippie trendy vehicle..

OK...I mean...there was this side to a VW bus too...

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
IF THIS VANs A-ROCKIN', DONT COME A-KNOCKIN'!

But there was this to the Detroit Big 3 vans too

 

So...like I asked before...should there really be a response to this vehicle or maybe something more of a 1970s GM vibe instead?

If we were to do an EV van, I personally would prefer this stereotype instead!

(yes...yes...this happens to be more of an 1980s vibe to it...it must be the 1980s electro  music that was the 1980s that  makes me feel this way)

 

Edited August 22, 2017 by oldshurst442

[Robert Hall]

Meh.. VW has been talking about a bus revival for at least 20 years...I'll believe it when I see it.

[aurora97]

Maybe VW is using an electric retro bus to clean up their image from the diesel emissions scandal.  Hate to be a cynic but someone needs to call them out for this.