Full of nostalgia and designed with a focus on space efficiency for the North American market, the 2024 Volkswagen ID Buzz electric van with three rows was unveiled on Friday. While the unveiling showcased its retro styling and smart interior layout, the absence of a commercial model was notably mentioned, as it is currently exclusive to the European market.
Andrew Savvas, the Chief Marketing and Sales Officer of VW North America, mentioned to journalists at The Drive that a cargo version might be considered in the future, particularly if VW can avoid the significant Chicken Tax by manufacturing the van in the US instead of importing it from Europe. The decision would hinge on the level of demand from potential customers.
Peter Nelson
“The US has the Chicken Tax, a 25% tariff on imported vehicles from Germany, which would significantly raise the cost of the vehicle,” Savvas highlighted during a panel discussion, hinting at the potential of locally producing the van. It’s worth mentioning that the planned global production of the ID Buzz passenger version, available in both two-row and three-row configurations, is set to reach 100,000 units.
“Should the decision be made to manufacture the vehicle in the US, it would definitely weigh into the equation,” Savvas elaborated. “The ID Buzz stands out for its commercial potential, making it a highly appealing option.”
If this vision materializes, the retro-themed van could offer more than just aesthetics; it could bring practical utility as well. Over the years, VW’s lineup of vans has proven their worth as commercial vehicles across the globe ever since the introduction of the first Type 2 model.
Just look at all that space! Peter Nelson
When queried about the potential for an electric California Camper Van, utilizing the extra room provided by its floor-mounted battery structure, Savvas mentioned that VW is currently exploring various possibilities.
“While not officially confirmed, it’s safe to say that we are assessing the options for the future iterations of this model, and the California Camper Van is one of the avenues we are considering,” as mentioned by Savvas to The Drive. “In the near term, we are collaborating with suppliers and long-standing partners to provide camping-related features for the model.”
“In the long run, it would be a great addition that we aspire to incorporate as part of the product lifecycle management for this van,” he further explained.
A versatile vehicle that can serve as a camper, family transporter, surf wagon, and daily driver—combined into one package—would be quite an attractive proposition. While the arrival of the ID Buzz at US dealerships is a year away, the potential options could be limitless if a commercial variation ever makes its way to the US market.
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