The ID. Buzz was a good start
Volkswagen has taken many steps to institute its electrification plan worldwide, but it has not been a smooth road. Demand and profits are down, and Volkswagen’s consumer outlook isn’t great. Volkswagen was also late to the game with its awesome but flawed ID. Buzz electric minivan in the United States. Change is needed.
Volkswagen
In 2024, Volkswagen sold just about 30,000 ID. Buzz vans worldwide. That’s not too shabby for a new product, especially an electric one. Along with many other consumers and journalists, I liked how funky, utilitarian, and fun the van was. Indeed, I dubbed it the first “cool minivan of the modern era,” a statement that I stand by.
Sadly, the ID. Buzz came to our market with a painful asking price and a less-than-stellar range. Additionally, Volkswagen refuses to fix the utterly maddening UX (user experience) of one of the more confusing infotainment systems out there. Switchgear is also an issue, as are some packaging problems. Still, people are taking notice, which is more than I can say about their boring ID.4.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz proves that people still dig nostalgia
Talk about a rolling representation of a modern anachronism. The ID. Buzz immediately gets comments, smiles, and thumbs-up. No other EV does that, and it makes for a fine family hauler, too. That’s what makes it unique and special. It’s high time that Volkswagen’s higher-ups look at its good mojo and ask themselves, “How can we make this work with other products?”
Look, the ID. 4 had a terrible 2024, partly because of a massive recall and stop-sale, but it’s also not as competitive as Volkswagen would like. VW sold fewer than 38,000 in 2024 and fewer than 18,000 in 2024 since many competitors either offer a better bang-for-the-buck or simply outperform the ID.4. I think it’s also a mixture of an image that lacks something the ID. Buzz has—fun.
Volkswagen
Enter the ID. Beetle (or whatever they may name it)
Just the idea of an ID. Beetle makes me happy. It’s a simple concept, and many people who would rule out an ID.4 would clamor for an ID. Beetle. If they kept the same underpinnings as the ID.4 but gave it a Beetle-like exterior and added a few thematic interior upgrades, it could be a big winner.
I know it’s harder than it sounds. They would have to go through a committee that seems hostile to American desires and then make it compliant. Safety, efficiency, and packaging would take time as well. Trusting in a market that’s been hard on Beetles in the past is a big gamble, but I think it’s a great way to get people interested in EVs.
Volkswagen
Final thoughts
The other issue would be convincing the suits at Volkswagen AG that they shouldn’t price themselves into the stratosphere if they build it. The point here is simplicity, efficiency, and affordability. Imagine using their in-house 62 kWh battery and a rear motor. If they keep things light, they may be able to hit a competitive range while still looking like a fun car.
A few years back, Volkswagen higher-ups balked at the idea of an electric Beetle. A few years later, some said it was a possibility. Sadly, there’s been no mention of it since. This is what I say: build a sub $35,000 electric beetle, and I bet the people will respond.
