Volkswagen’s Iconic Microbus Returns To America After Two Decades In Electric Avatar

Guests look at a Volkswagen ID Buzz, the new fully electric-driven microbus of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, during the inauguration event at German carmaker Volkswagen's (VW) first own battery cell factory SalzGiga in Salzgitter, central Germany, on July 7, 2022. RONNY HARTMANN/BENZINGA

Volkswagen AG (OTC:VWAGY) is set to reintroduce its German-manufactured microbus, the ID Buzz, to the United States with a world premiere event on Friday. 

Volkswagen celebrates the rich heritage of the newly unveiled electric ID. Buzz by showcasing it next to a classic Volkswagen Microbus during the SXSW 2022 event at Volkswagen Kaffeerösterei on March 12, 2022, in Austin, Texas. ROGER KISBY/BENZINGA

This marks the return of the iconic Volkswagen bus to the U.S. after a 20-year absence since the T4 generation. The ID Buzz features up to seven seats, a sunroof, a long wheelbase, and a maximum speed of 160 km (524960.00 feets)/h. 

Deliveries of the microbus in the country are scheduled to begin in 2024. Pablo Di Si, President and CEO of the Volkswagen Group of America, said, “The ID. Buzz and the USA – it’s a perfect match! The VW bus has a long history in the USA and enjoys real cult status. Our aim today is to further strengthen the Volkswagen brand in America.” 

The European premiere of the ID Buzz is planned to take place in Hanover from June 23 to 25. 

“This larger version of the retro MVP features up to seven seats, a larger battery and a future 355bhp GTX variant,” said in a tweet by Autocar.

Volkswagen reported a substantial 39% year-on-year increase in vehicle deliveries in April, driven by a surge in China deliveries. 

Additionally, the company recently announced it’s focus on profitability rather than engaging in a discount battle, aiming to leverage its strong market position for sustainable business growth.

A VW ID. Buzz is seen on display during the Volkswagen ID. Buzz (U.S. version) Global Reveal on June 02, 2023, in Huntington Beach, California. The ID Buzz is the revival of the icon microbus and the first time an EV van will enter the market in the US. JOE SCARNICI/BENZINGA

Volkswagen has delivered on their EVs that includes the ID.4 and their subsidiary brands that include the Audi e-tron and Porsche Taycan.

The company had not beein successful in the minivan market for many years as they had previously assembled the Routan, competing with the Honda Oddesy and the Toyota Sienna in the late 2000s.

The Volkwagen microbus was branded as the Vanagon as into the 1990s, the evoluton of the van competed with the Chevy AstroVan and the Ford Aerostar.

Volkwagen’s incoming will be in competition in the EV market and will compete in the US with the Kia EV9, the Hyundai Ioniq 7, and the Rivian R1S.

This will be the first time that an EV van will appear in the market on as other OEMs have yet to produce an EV van.

Produced in association with Benzinga

Edited by Alberto Arellano and Virginia Van Zandt