Volkswagen on Wednesday unveiled what its top U.S. official called "a magical, modern Microbus" that's powered by batteries as the German automaker amps up its bid for electric vehicle leadership.
The ID.Buzz, a much-awaited contemporary version of the iconic van, won't be produced in Chattanooga. But at VW dealerships it will join the electric ID.4 SUV, which is slated to be built in Chattanooga starting in July or August, according to officials.
Scott Keogh, Volkswagen Group of America's chief executive, said at a virtual world premiere of the ID.Buzz that the European-made EV will launch there this year and in the U.S. in 2024 with "a more stylized version."
"It symbolizes our continued drive to become the leader in sustainable mobility throughout the world," he said, adding the ID.Buzz fulfills a promise "to have fun while we're at it."
While the European model will have two rows of seats, the U.S.-spec van will have a slightly longer wheelbase and three rows of seats, Keogh said. He said VW will begin fielding orders for the ID. Buzz soon.
"I'm pushing to get it here as soon as possible," the VW official said. The price wasn't announced.
He said earlier that while VW spent $800 million at its Chattanooga plant to ready for EV production, the company wants to use that capacity to build the high-volume sellers Americans are buying such as SUVs.
When VW revealed the added investment in the plant in 2019, it pledged to hire 1,000 more employees in Chattanooga to handle demand for its locally built products, which now include the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs and soon the ID.4.
Contributed photo by Volkswagen / The interior is shown of the battery-powered ID.Buzz, which is to launch in America in 2024.Amanda Plecas, head of communications at Volkswagen Chattanooga, said ID.4 assembly is planned for the late summer and the plant is now hiring for experienced production positions.
The plant is expected to employ about 4,500 workers.
Keogh said VW is "going all in" with the ID.4. Plans are to double sales this year, and then do it again in 2023, he said.
"And frankly, we're just getting started," Keogh said. "It's our mission to lead the industry in a new era."
He said the ID.Buzz is designed and inspired for today and its battery-powered architecture isn't just a strategy but an imperative.
"Volkswagen is a leader in this cause," Keogh said, adding that the German carmaker is investing $100 billion globally in electric vehicles and digital technology.
He said the ID.Buzz is "a return of a classic," but it's a 21st century Volkswagen.
"There's just enough California cool. It's absolutely ready to roll down Santa Monica Boulevard," Keogh said. "But you can't deny the practicality."
Volkswagen became the No. 2 seller of EVs in the U.S. last year with its ID.4 SUV and other electric vehicles, trailing leader Tesla, according to the company.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318. Follow him on Twitter @MikePareTFP.