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Originally Posted by Carscoops
Volkswagen’s third electric vehicle plant in Germany, Hannover, kicked off production of the ID. Buzz electric van last week. The passenger van joins the ID. Buzz Cargo, the commercial version of the EV, which was already being produced at the plant.
“The start of serial production of the all-electric ID. Buzz is an important milestone in the electrification of our fleet and for the manufacturing operation at the Hannover site,” said Carsten Intra, chairman of the VW Commercial Vehicle’s management board. “The vehicle is a key pillar in the full utilization of our factory and is thus safeguarding the future of the site.”
Volkswagen’s Hannover plant was under constant construction for two years in order to prepare it for the transition to electric vehicles. Despite that, production of the T6.1 never stopped and it continues today.
“We are now manufacturing three ‘Bulli’ [Multivan] product lines with three different drive system concepts in our plant here,” said Josef Baumert, head of production and logistics at VWCV. “This means complexity makes huge demands of our workforce.”
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles expects to make 15,000 ID. Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargos at the plant this year. Once production is fully ramped up, though, it will have the ability to build as many as 130,000 of the electric vehicles per year.
“The start of full production of the ID. Buzz marks the launch of a new icon here at VWCV in Hannover,” said Stavros Christidis, chairman of the VWCV works council. “The ‘Bulli of the future’ is safeguarding jobs at our brand headquarters in Hannover.”
Deliveries of the ID. Buzz are expected to start in the fall with prices for the passenger vehicle starting at €64,581 ($69,084 USD at current exchange rates) in Germany. Using an 82 kWh battery and powered by a motor that makes 201 hp (204 PS / 150 kW) and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque, the base model is good for a range of 424 km (261 miles).
The van will also be available in the U.S., with the localized version expected to debut next year. Reports suggest that VW may produce the vehicle in Chattanooga, Tennessee, alongside the Atlas.
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