Volkswagen’s recently unveiled long wheelbase variant of the all-new ID. Buzz electric minivan, designed specifically for the United States market, has already sparked discussions online regarding possible unfair dealer markups. Despite the absence of an official price list, VW Group of America CEO Pablo Di Si emphasizes the company’s commitment to preventing price gouging on the new all-electric people-carrier.
In an interview with Automotive News, Di Si expressed the need to find a solution that satisfies both dealers and customers while maintaining fair pricing. He emphasized the importance of a good relationship with the dealer network and stressed that markups should not be tolerated for the vehicle.
Ford recently announced its plans to implement a no-haggle strategy for EV sales, allowing customers to purchase cars online and arrange remote deliveries. Volkswagen seems to be considering a similar approach, although Di Si acknowledged that a suitable solution has not been finalized yet. He stated that there is still a timeframe of three to five months to find a fair method that ensures consumer satisfaction without overwhelming the system.
Sales of the ID. Buzz LWB are scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year, with the initial units arriving from Germany in the first part of the following year. This provides Volkswagen with ample time to address the pricing concerns. Di Si firmly believes that consumers should not bear additional costs and even dismissed the possibility of a premium-priced launch edition.
While the base price of a short-wheelbase Volkswagen ID. Buzz in Germany starts at approximately $58,500 (54,669 €), it is expected that the longer-wheelbase variant, featuring three rows of seats and an extra ten inches in length, will command a higher price upon its release in the US.
Moreover, as the ID. Buzz will be manufactured outside of North America, customers in the US will not be eligible for the $7,500 tax credit when purchasing from dealers. However, a tax credit for leasing will still be available.
