by Stephen Rivers
- VW is pausing ID Buzz and Multivan production due to weak demand.
- The factory can build 130,000 units annually, but only 35,000 sold in 2023.
- Pricing and limited range hurt appeal as new rivals like Kia’s PV5 emerge.
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz was supposed to usher in an entirely new vibe for the brand. It leaned heavily on nostalgia, it came with outstanding packaging, and it drives better than it has any right to.
At the same time, it has less range than almost any other EV, and it’s so expensive that only wealthy people can afford it. Now, a new report says that VW isn’t just slowing production of the van but is halting it altogether. We’re not exactly shocked.
From October 20 through 24, Volkswagen will pause production of the ID. Buzz and its Multivan sibling at its Hanover, Germany, plant, according to Autonews.
The company told Germany’s DPA news agency that the move will allow it to “flexibly adapt production processes to changed market conditions.” In plain English: sales aren’t meeting expectations.
More: VW Denies Halting ID. Buzz Exports To US Over Tariffs
When the ID. Buzz was launched, VW claimed the Hanover factory could build up to 130,000 units annually, but reality never got close. The model managed around 30,000 global sales in each of the last two years.
Clearly, those totals fall well short of those early ambitions. Meanwhile, European EV demand has softened, Chinese competition is surging, and VW is trimming costs and hours across its German plants.
Priced Out Of Its Own Market?
Part of the problem is self-inflicted. The ID. Buzz starts at roughly $61,500 in the U.S., more than many three-row SUVs, and even higher trims crest past $70K.
That’s a far cry from the spirit of the original Microbus, which became iconic precisely because anyone could afford one. By aiming high, VW built a great electric van that few can justify buying.
The automaker says it’s stepping up marketing and incentives to boost interest in its light commercial lineup, but the challenge is steep. New rivals like the Kia PV5, which promises similar space, more range, and a lower price tag, are waiting in the wings.
