Volkswagen’s new ID. Buzz will be more affordable, and it’s bringing ‘lots of secret sauce’ — SkimNews
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- Volkswagen is developing a next-generation ID. Buzz that will be more affordable, based on the new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), with improved range, faster charging, and advanced software.
- Thomas Schäfer, VW brand CEO, confirmed the current ID. Buzz is 'in the wrong cost base' and said the new model will use SSP to reduce costs and enable lower pricing, possibly with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
- Andreas Mindt, Volkswagen’s design boss, said the new ID. Buzz will retain its iconic retro look with a modern twist, calling the redesign 'lots of secret sauce' to stand out in a bland van market.
- Volkswagen will delay the ID. Buzz’s return to the U.S. until the 2028 model year, skipping 2026 and moving straight to 2027, after selling only 432 units in Q3 2025 — an 82.5% drop from the prior year.
- Jeannine Ginivan, Volkswagen Group of America’s chief communications officer, confirmed the ID. Buzz is not canceled for the U.S. market despite the model-year gap and low sales.
Why it matters: The current ID. Buzz failed to gain U.S. traction due to its $60,000 starting price and 234-mile range, with sales down 82.5% year-over-year. The next-gen model, built on cost-saving SSP architecture, could make the iconic electric van accessible to a broader market and revive VW’s momentum in North America.
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