VW identification number. Buzz California plans ‘smooth’ project, report says

• The timing of the VW ID’s market entry. Buzz California motorhome now depends on ‘customer response’ Auto-Express reports, citing VWCV CEO.

• The basic VW identifier. Buzz will be heading to the US this fall in multiple versions, with pricing expected to be disclosed closer to the start of sales.

• VW has given the California camper the green light in 2021, at least in its planning, and is currently carrying out development work on a wider range of variants while timing and market availability remain uncertain.

Those who were waiting for the VW ID. The buzz that has materialized since it was first revealed as a concept in 2017 has aged noticeably between then and now. Brand new wars and a pandemic started just as we expected, a new VW Group CEO took office, and the blockchain bubble was replaced by the crypto bubble, which has now given way to AI. revolution (which is definitely not a bubble).

And as Apple reminded us just a few days ago, your phones and tablets have gotten thinner over time than the VW ID. Buzz is in development.

THE GOOD The news is that the long-promised electric minivan is coming to the United States later this fall, barring an unforeseen event like an asteroid impact or other global cataclysm – we can’t rule out those things.

But what about another long-awaited version of the ID. Buzz, the Californian campervan?

In 2021, VW confirmed that such a model had been approved for production. In fact, we even remember what he said.

“Another derivative vehicle, the ID. California, has also been approved for the (Hanover, Germany) location,” VW said in 2021.

But this statement also did not say When such a model would arrive, or what markets could receive it.

Of course, we didn’t expect the California to land at the exact moment the base was identified. Buzz would make its way to the United States, which is now scheduled for fall 2024 (again, barring unforeseen celestial events, fingers crossed).

The story continues

Now a report of Auto-Express suggests that its timing – even its chances of production – now depends on the materialization of sufficient customer demand. This is a different forecast than we remember.

“We have not yet announced a specific date (for the Buzz), because we are waiting for customer response on this,” said Carsten Intra, CEO of VW Commercial Vehicles. Auto-Express. “Today we don’t have that push for a fully electric camper.”

Intra is also indicated for Auto-Express that several types of accessories are in preparation and being tested, and that depending on the response, the deadlines could change.

The CEO of VWCV indicated that all models in the California motorhome range will be electric, at least eventually, and that the new generation will be called Space.

“In Space, we will have fully electric campers, from the Grand California to the smallest; the next generation will be a truly huge step,” Intra said. Auto-Express.

This news is encouraging, even if it’s a little light on timing and market availability, but at least VW isn’t backtracking on the whole concept.

It’s also worth noting that, aside from electric powertrains, VW hasn’t offered a factory-direct camper in the United States since Q4 of 2003.

(It’s a separate discussion whether it’s fair for VW to use the California name if they don’t offer the model in the Golden State).

And in those 20 years, VW hasn’t brought its subsequent generations to the US either, with the current California based on the T7 Multivan and its future PHEV variant. not offered in the State of California or any other U.S. state or territory.

Of course, that hasn’t stopped people from (theoretically) buying a Routan and having it converted to a pop-up rooftop tent for an ungodly amount of money. But let’s just say that it hasn’t been easy over the past 20 years to get a standard VW campervan with some light camping gear.

From VW’s point of view, before the base ID. Buzz is coming (with pricing yet to be determined), the entire electric minivan category, camper or not, has still not been tested in North America. This suggests that the automaker will likely want to see at least a few years of identity. Buzz sales before a decision was made to bring the certainly more expensive California here.

There’s also the issue that these campers are traditionally purchased and used on long road trips that might take them… quite far from a DC fast charger. Or electricity for that matter.

Infrastructure is certainly a concern, even on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Could the lack of a wide range prevent VW from offering a campervan version of the ID. Buzz, or will price matter more than range in this segment? Let us know in the comments below.