Volkswagen Confirms Next-Gen ID. Buzz Will be More Affordable
The new model will utilize the Scalable Systems Platform and may incorporate LFP batteries to lower costs.
Volkswagen is developing a next-generation ID. Buzz that will feature a lower price point and enhanced technical capabilities, according to statements made by VW brand CEO Thomas Schäfer at the 2026 Paris Auto Show.
What Happened
During an interview with Auto Express, Schäfer confirmed that the current ID. Buzz is "in the wrong cost base" and that the upcoming model will be more affordable. The new electric minibus will be built on Volkswagen Group’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which is designed to reduce production costs and support software-defined vehicles. Schäfer hinted that the SSP platform could enable the use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a technology often associated with lower costs. Additionally, VW design boss Andreas Mindt stated the new model would require "lots of secret sauce" to maintain its unique character, promising an interesting evolution of the vehicle's timeless design while acknowledging that consumers can get tired of retro aesthetics.
Why It Matters
The shift toward a more affordable ID. Buzz addresses significant market challenges faced by the current model, which launched in the US in 2024 with a starting price of approximately $60,000 and a range of up to 234 miles. Sales figures reflect this pricing barrier; Volkswagen sold just 432 ID. Buzz models in the US during the third quarter, an 82.5% decline from the nearly 2,500 units sold in Q3 2025. By moving to the SSP platform and potentially adopting LFP batteries, Volkswagen aims to make the vehicle more competitive in the electric van segment. However, the timeline for this refresh remains uncertain. While the first SSP-based EV was initially planned for 2026, Volkswagen now states it will arrive "by the end of the decade," with the new ID. Buzz expected to launch shortly after. In the interim, the ID. Buzz has been delayed for the US market until the 2028 model year, skipping the 2026 and 2027 model years.
The Bottom Line
Volkswagen has confirmed that a more affordable, SSP-based ID. Buzz is in development, featuring improved range, faster charging, and updated interior design elements like physical buttons. However, US buyers will not see the current model updated for 2026 or 2027, with the next-generation vehicle likely arriving after the SSP platform’s broader rollout, which is now projected for the end of the decade.
