Automotive News reporter Richard Truett (2025) recently recommended how Volkswagen could “rescue” the ID. Buzz, which is off to a slow start in sales. In a piece labeled a “Comment,” Truett argued that under current market conditions that the automaker will not make any money on the electric-powered minivan. If it is to avoid “a slow, agonizing death like the New Beetle,” the vehicle needs to be upgraded in a number of respects.
His friendly advice would seem to divide up between shorter- and longer-term fixes. The quick changes include upgrading the quality of the interior and boosting the range to over 300 miles per charge. The second phase of changes should include shifting the ID. Buzz to the Scout chassis so that it can use a range-extender powertrain and reduce tariff costs by being built in the U.S.
Truett (2025) concluded by arguing that, in the absence of such changes, he had “no reasonable expectation that sales will improve.” And even if they did, that would just mean VW would lose more money because it could not increase the ID. Buzz’s price high enough to cover increased tariffs.
Do Truett’s suggestions go far enough?
Truett’s proposed changes sound reasonable as far as they go, but I suspect that they would still result in a slow-selling vehicle. A key reason why is that the ID. Buzz is arguably too big and costly — and moving it to the Scout platform could make things even worse.
As we previously discussed here, the ID. Buzz is anything but a “minivan.” Its 78.1-inch width puts puts it in the same league as the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey (Stafford, 2025). Preliminary specifications for the Scout suggest that it could be even wider — 79.9 inches without mirrors (Scoutmotors.com, 2025). Shifting to the Scout’s platform could presumably result in the ID. Buzz getting heavier as well — which may mean that it won’t get any cheaper.
Also see ‘Automotive News staff struggle to transcend paper’s checkered past’
Truett (2025) doesn’t appear to think that’s a problem because he suggested that the above-mentioned changes would allow the vehicle to take “its rightful place as VW’s flagship.” However, Doug DeMuro (2024) concluded that the ID. Buzz was already “pretty pricey” compared to a Kia EV9, whose base price starts at $56,395 (Wendler, 2025). The cheapest ID. Buzz lists for $61,545 (Stafford, 2025).
So perhaps Truett’s suggestion could modestly help the ID. Buzz carve out a niche. However, I would not be surprised if it as well as the Scout end up selling well below expectations because they are too big and expensive in a Trumpian economy where EV tax credits go away and a tariff-induced recession may be right around the corner.
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RE:SOURCES
- DeMuro, Doug; 2024. “Full Review: The 2025 Volkswagen ID Buzz Is Finally Here for the USA!” Posted Nov. 5.
- Scoutmotors.com; 2025. “A closer look: The Scout Traveler SUV.” Accessed Aug. 7.
- Stafford, Eric; 2025. “2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz Microbus.” Car and Driver. Accessed Aug. 7.
- Truett, Richard; 2025. “Column: How VW can rescue the ID Buzz in America.” Automotive News. Posted July 22.
- Wendler, Andrew; 2025. “2026 Kia EV9.” Car and Driver. Accessed Aug. 7.
I agree with you that Richard’s recommendations may not quite work…
1. Given the size and boxlike profile of the ID.Buzz, I’m not sure a 100kWh battery is sufficient to get the range to 300 miles–but I do agree that’s probably the minimum number for a family vehicle intended to carry kids, pets, and cargo.
2. I think the Scout idea was not thought through. They’ve made it pretty clear it’s a body-on-frame architecture, not BFI, so not well-suited to a space-conscious entry like a minivan. Equally problematic is the range extender, which is mounted BEHIND the rear axle–relatively easy on a pickup or two-row SUV with a long rear overhang, but next to impossible when you need a habitable third row and you have limited rear overhang.
Excellent points. Truett’s column once again illustrates how Automotive News has strikingly weak analytical muscles.
I have test-driven an ID.Buzz. I like it but the economics of the 2025 U.S. economy work against it. It may be better suited to the European market.
Too expensive.
Did I mention too expensive?
First, car companies are out of their mind when it comes to the prices they charge and the realities of this economy for consumers. Most of us simply don’t have the kind of money they’re asking for their vehicles. Second, consumers have made it clear most of us have zero interest in electric vehicles. To save this one, plop in a turbo charged 4 cylinder from the Golf/Jetta and drastically lower the asking price. That’d be a good start.