Volkswagen’s U.S. EV Sales Tumble 90% in Third Quarter
ID.4 production ended in April and ID. Buzz imports halted, leaving dealers with inventory-only models.
Volkswagen’s electric vehicle sales in the United States plummeted 90% in the third quarter, driven by a depleted lineup and the end of production for its primary EV model.
What Happened
From July through September, Volkswagen sold 1,421 electric cars in the U.S., a significant drop from the previous year. The ID.4 crossover accounted for 989 of those sales, representing a 92.1% decrease from the 12,470 units sold in Q3 2025. The ID. Buzz minivan saw 432 sales, down 82.5% from 2,469 units in the same period last year. Overall, Volkswagen’s total U.S. vehicle sales fell 10.9% to 78,179 units for the quarter, while year-to-date EV sales dropped 77% to 6,107 units.
Why It Matters
The sales collapse stems largely from supply constraints rather than pure demand shifts. The American-spec ID.4 went out of production in April at the Chattanooga factory to accommodate gas SUVs, and imports of the ID. Buzz have been limited to 2025 models. Consequently, Volkswagen has relied on inventory models for most of the year. The ID.4 has seen discounts of up to $12,500 to clear dealer lots, but the ID. Buzz remains priced at $61,545 with a maximum driving range of 234 miles, a combination that has proven difficult for buyers to justify in the current economy.
The Bottom Line
Volkswagen’s EV sales slump is expected to persist until the new ID. Tiguan arrives next year. The upcoming model will replace the ID.4 and feature a front trunk, a revamped interior with physical controls, and an optional passenger screen. The ID. Buzz is scheduled to return as a 2028 model with a native NACS charging port and updated software.
