ID.Buzz production to step up

Volkswagen intends ramping up production of its ID. Buzz electric van to near 130,000 units annually from its Hanover plant in Germany.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) is already making the electric light commercial ID. Buzz Cargo there, with first deliveries expected later this year.

The brand is pressing ahead with site electrification and securing the future of VWCV in line with its GRIP 2030 strategy.

The company plans to increase the plant’s daily production to 900 vehicles, with Hanover now the third production site of the ID. family vehicles.

“The ID. Buzz is a milestone in the electrification of the brand and the plant in Hanover”, says VWCV brand management board for production and logistics member Josef Baumert.

“In just eight years’ time more than 55% of our vehicles in Europe will have battery-electric drive. “The ID. Buzz has a leading strategic role in this.”

This year, VWCV plans to produce about 15,000 ID. Buzz EVs.

 “As we develop our portfolio, after 2023 we will produce up to 130,000 units of the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo at our Hanover plant,” says Baumert.

Since May, VWCV has produced three models at the Hanover plant based on three different platforms and can have three different drives: the ID. Buzz as a battery electric vehicle (BEV), the new Multivan as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and with conventional drive and the variants of the T6.1 with an internal combustion engine (ICE).

The vehicles are partly produced on one line in the factory.

“Our production method is highly complex, but it enables us to respond flexibly to customer demand”, says Baumert.

About 4000 employees are trained to produce the ID. Buzz.

“We trained our employees in high-voltage technology and also adapted our apprenticeships to the new tasks,” Baumert adds.

Modern digital systems and new processes enable production to be increased at the site from 810 to about 900 vehicles daily by 2023.

Baumert explains: “Hanover is on the way to becoming a ‘smart factory’.”