Volkswagen Temporarily Stop Production ID.Buzz Due To Drop Sales

JAKARTA Volkswagen (VW) temporarily suspended production of its flagship electric van, ID. Buzz and Multivan, at the Hannover factory, Germany. This decision was taken due to declining market demand and sales that did not reach the target, although this model has a nostalgic feel of the legendary classical VW Kombi.

The Hannover factory actually has a production capacity of up to 130 thousand units per year, but in reality, ID sales. Buzz and Multivan only reached around 35 thousand units in 2023. This means that the aura of nostalgia VW Kombi is not enough to encourage the sale of this modern electric van.

The company called the move a flexible adjustment to changing market conditions. VW will regularly monitor demand developments before deciding when the production line will return to normal.

One of the biggest challenges for VW is the selling price of ID. Buzz is relatively high and the distance is still below consumer expectations. In the United States, this model is sold from around 61,500 US dollars or equivalent to Rp1.02 billion, while the highest variant reaches around 70 000 US dollars or Rp1.16 billion.

In addition to price factors, the weakening demand for light electric vehicles in Europe has also exacerbated the situation, reported by Carscoops, Wednesday, October 22. At the same time, producers from China are increasingly aggressive in enlivening markets with high-tech products and more affordable prices, making VW's position even more depressed.

In the last two years, global ID sales. Buzz and Multivan are only around 30 thousand units per year, far from the company's initial target. Even so, VW insists that it will continue to strive to strengthen its position in the electric commercial vehicle segment through increased marketing strategies and providing additional incentives for consumers.

This temporary production cessation step marks a major challenge for VW in maintaining electrification momentum. Despite bringing about the legacy of nostalgia VW Kombi, this modern model faces a tough test amid intense competition and changes in global consumer interest.