Volkswagen isn't giving up on its electric retro minivan. Quite the opposite, actually. The ID. Buzz will get another in-generation update before making way for an all-new replacement, which promises better technology and, more importantly, a lower price. CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed the next-gen minibus in an interview with Auto Express at the 2026 Paris Motor Show this week.

The successor will ride on the company's upcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), a new architecture designed to underpin a wide range of electric vehicles across the Group. The current ID. Buzz has plenty of charm, but its appeal hasn't translated into the sales success VW aspired to. Schäfer acknowledged that the van's high asking price makes it difficult to sell in large numbers, suggesting that the next model needs to be more affordable to reach a wider audience.

That's easier said than done, but VW appears determined to preserve the nameplate while addressing some of the shortcomings that have held it back. Moving from the MEB platform to SSP should bring several improvements. The next-generation electric architecture is expected to deliver greater range, faster charging, and improved software. The platform's widespread use across the Group's myriad of brands should also help reduce development and manufacturing costs.

Cheaper lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) batteries could further lower the entry price, although VW hasn't confirmed the battery chemistry or specifications for the next ID. Buzz. For now, the company is keeping its cards close to its chest, but work is well underway on a replacement that promises improvements across the board.

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