Volkswagen has just pushed its chips to the centre of the table and gone all-in on an electric vehicle strategy, announcing five electric models will begin production for the Australian market by 2025.
The vehicles are the hatchback sized ID.3, the Family SUVs known as ID.4 and ID.5 and the very cool looking electric Kombi which is correctly known as the ID.Buzz plus a cargo variant for the electrified work van.
This isn’t some niche play either, every single VW dealership in Australia will be able to sell and service these electric cars from day one.
Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles director Michal Szaniecki says this is about bringing electric vehicles to Australians in the same way Aussies expect from a brand like VW “Just as Australians have long expected that a Golf or Tiguan will lead their segment for premium feel and the most enjoyable driving characteristics, we’re ensuring the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 launch with these same attributes top of mind,”
“Upgraded product such as the more premium ID.3 and a 500km-plus range for ID.4 and ID.5 will gel with our ability to sell these vehicles nationwide, no matter which dealership is closest to you. This is an advantage that not all start-up companies are able to match,” he added.
“We can confirm the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 will both start production and go on sale next year, so our message for customers thinking about switching to a BEV is this – we’re here in 2024, and here in a big way.”
As for that Iconic Kombi from decades ago – now going electric – VW Commercial Vehicles director Ryan Davies says both the Buzz and Buzz Cargo have received technical approval for the Australian market “Volkswagen has an incredible heritage with Australians from their love of the iconic Kombi decades ago to their world-beating enthusiasm for Amaroks in the present day,”
“The ID.Buzz is a people mover that stops traffic, people stop, stare and smile. It’s an incredible blend of style and function that will capture the imagination of Australians – and is reflected by our ambitious sales volumes,” he added.
“We expect the ID.Buzz Cargo to sell at least as well, and it’s incredibly appealing for sole traders who want to reduce their emissions in the most fun way possible. This is a proper, from the ground up tradies’ BEV – not a tacked-on reverse engineering of an existing diesel vehicle.”
This is the start of something very big for EVs in Australia, and its very exciting.
