VW halts ID. Buzz and Multivan production in Hanover for five days
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Volkswagen pauses ID. Buzz and Multivan output at its Hanover plant for five days, citing weak EV demand, high prices and limited range; promotions are planned.
Volkswagen has decided to temporarily suspend production of two models at its Hanover plant: the all-electric ID. Buzz and the gasoline-powered Multivan. The assembly lines will go idle for five days, from October 20 through October 24, inclusive.
The pause is tied to weak demand for the electric model. The company initially aimed to sell up to 130,000 ID. Buzz units a year, but current figures show only about 42,900 have been sold. As a result, output is nearly 21,000 vehicles short of the original target.
Experts point to two main reasons behind the ID. Buzz’s modest traction: a price range of $60,000 to $70,000 and a driving range of roughly 230 miles (about 370 km). At those prices and with that kind of distance on a charge, buyer caution is easy to understand.
Even so, Volkswagen intends to address the situation with a stronger advertising push and special promotions designed to make the products more appealing. Such steps can rekindle interest, particularly when they speak directly to what shoppers weigh most carefully.
