New Direction in Commercial Vehicles: The Groundbreaking Innovations of the Transporter and ID. Buzz

András Kovács, Head of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

The Transporter is one of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ iconic models with a long heritage. Its first generation became famous as the “Bulli” and has since been a symbol of reliability, versatility, and practicality. The seventh generation now offers a solution for businesses and individuals seeking an efficient, comfortable, and stylish transport vehicle, thanks to its modern technology and innovative design. The ID. Buzz, part of Volkswagen’s electric vehicle family, evokes the iconic Bulli design but with a fully electric drivetrain. The ID. Buzz emphasizes sustainable transportation and is available in multiple versions, whether for family or business use.

Transporter: Classic Yet New

The seventh-generation Transporter closely follows the Bulli traditions. What does this mean for modern commercial vehicles, and how was the classic design adapted to today’s needs?

The seventh-generation Transporter perfectly combines the Bulli traditions with modern expectations. The classic design is preserved by the distinctive “Bulli line,” which divides the upper and lower sections of the body, paying homage to the iconic T1. The headlight’s upper line extends across the sides to the rear, as seen in the T6.1. The entire design carries the DNA of the original Bulli, while every detail has been adapted to today’s requirements. This makes the new Transporter both timeless and innovative — a special duality we aimed to achieve.

What new features would you highlight that make everyday use easier for customers?

The new Transporter has improved in nearly every aspect compared to its predecessor, ensuring greater success for users’ daily tasks. The comfort of the driver’s cabin has increased, the cargo length has been extended by 61 mm as standard, and, for the first time, an optional long-wheelbase version offers a cargo length of over 3 meters. The width has also significantly increased, with an additional 148 mm between the wheel arches. The larger dimensions provide more space for cargo while also offering a more comfortable driving experience for the driver and team, making everyday work easier. The vehicle’s standard equipment has reached an unprecedented level: in addition to the most modern assistance systems, LED headlights and air conditioning are also included.

Volkswagen Multivan T7, Volkswagen Multivan eHybrid, Volkswagen ID. Buzz

The ID. Buzz Family Expands

What role do the ID. Buzz models play in Volkswagen’s lineup?

The ID. Buzz family has recently expanded with several new models catering to various customer needs, strengthening Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ position in the electric vehicle market. The ID. Buzz Pure, with a 59 kWh battery and approximately 330 km range, offers excellent value for money and comes equipped with state-of-the-art assistance systems. The ID. Buzz Pro features a long wheelbase, an 86 kWh battery, and a 210 kW motor, making it ideal for families and active lifestyle users. The ID. Buzz Cargo 4MOTION all-wheel-drive version provides 250 kW of system power, a 79 kWh battery, and a range of up to 432 km, along with an impressive towing capacity of 1,800 kg. The ID. Buzz GTX versions, available in standard and long-wheelbase options, feature high-performance motors (250 kW), all-wheel drive, and exceptional towing capabilities, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds. The ID. Buzz is now also available with a longer wheelbase and extended range.

What does this new version offer for urban mobility and longer journeys?

The new long-wheelbase ID. Buzz version provides an excellent solution for both urban mobility and longer journeys. The larger wheelbase not only offers a more spacious interior but also comes with a new 86 kWh battery, providing up to 475 km WLTP range. This makes it an ideal choice for everyday city use and longer trips, whether for family outings or business transportation. The most significant change is that now up to 7 people can enjoy the silent ride together.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Volkswagen in the World of Films

Why was Jason Statham chosen to deliver the brand’s message?

An iconic character like Jason Statham effectively delivers the brand’s message, as he and “The Transporter” films are internationally and domestically well-known and popular. The campaign’s strength lies in connecting Statham’s personality with the Volkswagen Transporter, as both share similar traits: reliability, strength, and style. The parallel with the film world and the strong alignment with the target audience — where Statham enjoys a 70% recognition rate — creates an opportunity for the new Transporter to communicate the same confident, dynamic, and iconic message as the films.

The ID. Buzz GTX not only represents the pinnacle of technology but also appears in the final part of the Venom trilogy. What does this mean for the brand?

The appearance of the ID. Buzz GTX in the final part of the Venom trilogy is a tremendous opportunity for Volkswagen. Featuring in such a Hollywood blockbuster not only increases the brand’s global visibility but also creates an emotional connection with the audience. The film’s iconic and dynamic characters, like Venom, perfectly align with the ID. Buzz GTX’s sporty, powerful, and modern personality. The “Venomized” ID. Buzz GTX, which spectacularly transforms in the film, illustrates the model’s versatility and bold design.

Present and Future

What were Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ greatest successes in 2024, and how did these results strengthen the brand’s position?

One of the year’s greatest successes was the Caddy Edition model, which gained significant popularity with its stylish appearance and premium exterior and interior extras. The phase-out of the Transporter 6.1 was also successful, paving the way for the new, even more modern Transporter model. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles also provided a Multivan fleet for the EU Council’s Hungarian presidency, highlighting the brand’s reliability and premium quality. At the Kapolcs Valley of Arts festival, we presented an interactive installation with a Los Angeles beach-themed display, showcasing the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz and hosting children supported by the Pető Institute, hopefully creating unforgettable experiences for them. Additionally, we launched several new models this year, including the new Crafter, the long-wheelbase ID. Buzz, the Caddy Edition, Caddy Cargo Edition, California, and the ID. Buzz GTX, further expanding Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ offering. By the end of the year, sales of the new Transporter began, which will define our 2025. A key development was the introduction of the Smart Care integrated service package, offering customers 4 years or 120,000 km of factory maintenance for any vehicle at just a net surcharge of HUF 100,000.

Volkswagen Multivan T7

As the year ends, the question arises: what is Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles preparing for in 2025?

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ 2025 will be centered around the launch of the Transporter and its various versions. Our initial feedback from dealers and customers is very positive, and we believe that after test drives at any of our dealership partners, even hesitant customers will be convinced that this is the best choice for their business.