√Volkswagen ID. Buzz: Early 2024 launch targeted for Australia

Volkswagen’s new ID. Buzz electric people mover is a likely starter for Australia, though we’ll have to wait 12 months or more for its arrival – assuming it is green-lit.

Volkswagen Australia has reaffirmed its wish to sell the ID. Buzz electric van in Australia – signalling a possible launch in 2024, if VW head office in Europe gives it the green light.

Global demand for the retro-styled electric reboot of the iconic Kombi van is sky-high, but Volkswagen Australia’s director of commercial vehicles Ryan Davies said the ID. Buzz is still firmly on the local wish list.

“I mean the interest on that car has been phenomenal. The one question that we get asked everywhere we go is ‘When are we getting ID. Buzz?’” Mr Davies told Australian media including Drive.

“We’re not confirmed as a market yet, but that’s our target.”

“[Early 2024] is what we’re targeting. I mean the global demand for that car is extraordinary, so it’s not going to be any shortage of demand for that car over the next few years.

“We’ve put our hand up for a significant amount of volume in Australia. We think the car suits our market perfectly. Australians have fallen in love with that car already, especially [the people mover] and the ID. Buzz Cargo. We can sell a really decent amount of volume that’ll be attractive to the factory as well.”

Asked whether the ID. Buzz people mover and delivery van could outsell the diesel-engined Volkswagen Multivan and Transporter, Mr Davies replied “yes”. Collectively, those two models have sold 1542 examples in Australia since the start of this year.

The ID. Buzz is now available to order in Germany, but Australians are expected to wait until Volkswagen Australia launches other ID models (such as the ID.4 and ID.5) first, at the end of 2023, before a possible ID. Buzz introduction.

Styled as a modern-day reimagination of the iconic Volkswagen Type 2 (or Kombi), the ID. Buzz features a short nose and classic design cues over Volkswagen’s MEB dedicated electric-car underpinnings.

European ID. Buzz variants are powered by a 150kW/310Nm electric motor mounted on the rear axle. Power is drawn from an 82kWh battery, good for 421km of claimed range in the passenger body, or 424km in the Cargo.

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