The status of ID.Buzz exports to the U.S. is unclear. German business daily Handelsblatt is reporting shipments of the electric Volkswagen van to the U.S. have been suspended, citing both an official recall and mounting concern over altered U.S. trade tariffs under President Donald Trump as reasons for the decision.
But that was news to Volkswagen of America, which is denying the report exports have been halted. The U.S. arm of VW tells WardsAuto: "We've continuously shipped ID. Buzz vehicles from Europe to the U.S. this year. While shipments may periodically be delayed as specific port destination is determined, there was no full pause on shipments." VW of America says ID.Buzz units currently are on the water in transit to U.S. ports.
A spokesperson for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Germany confirms to WardsAuto that the U.S.-bound ID. Buzz is currently subject to a recall due to a rear bench seat that exceeds permitted width under U.S. safety regulations. While the recall is officially cited as the primary cause of the export suspension, sources familiar with the matter tell Handelsblatt that newly imposed tariffs are playing a significant role behind the scenes.
As of April 2025, the US has levied a 27.5% import duty on European-built cars, a sharp rise from the previous 2.5%. The ID. Buzz, built exclusively at VW’s plant in Hannover, Germany, has no North American production counterpart, leaving it particularly exposed to U.S. President Donald Trump’s increasingly protectionist trade stance.
The U.S. import pause comes at an awkward time for Volkswagen. The ID. Buzz has been positioned as a poster product in the company’s commercial-electric-vehicle strategy. Its launch in the U.S. in 2024 was met with fanfare, drawing strong early demand. But the Trump Admin.’s “America First” trade policy is complicating matters. The ID. Buzz's tariff vulnerability illustrates how even niche or image-building models can become collateral damage in broader trade disputes.
The ID. Buzz has been positioned as an homage to the iconic VW Microbus, while also being a modern electric minivan. But at $59,995 to $67,995 for the non-first-edition models, and a maximum of 234 miles (377 km) of range (EPA certified), it is already seen as not being price-competitive. The additional tariff worsens that situation, and would certainly turn the vehicle into a loss for Volkswagen of America if they absorbed the tariff cost at a time when the company is under great pressure to reduce costs.
VW has not issued a timeline for when exports of the ID. Buzz to North America might resume. However, the company is reportedly exploring ways to adapt to the new trade environment, including the possibility of future local assembly in North America. No such plans have yet been confirmed.
VW’s predicament reflects a wider challenge now facing European automakers. Trump's administration has already announced additional tariffs on vehicles from other countries, with formal letters sent this week to governments in Moldova, Algeria, Libya, Brunei, the Philippines and Iraq, detailing import duties ranging from 20% to 30%, set to begin Aug. 1. These follow similar letters issued to 14 other countries.
The U.S. remains a crucial market for VW’s long-term electrification goal as it prepares to scale up global EV production. The ID. Buzz was expected to play a key role in brand-building and EV credibility. With that momentum now interrupted, analysts warn the automaker may need to rethink its short-term U.S. sales strategy.
– with David Kiley
