BERLIN -- Volkswagen is betting that a modern take on its iconic Microbus will boost its aim to pass Tesla as the world's top electric-car maker
The brand on Wednesday unveiled the ID Buzz, a battery-electric minivan with retro styling elements that recall the Microbus of the 1960s.
The ID Buzz passenger van and the ID Buzz Cargo, a commercial version of the vehicle, were shown during an event livestream from Hamburg's historic Speicherstadt warehouse district.
The ID Buzz and ID Buzz Cargo will go on sale in their first European markets this autumn, with advance sales due to start in May. The U.S. will get only the long-wheelbase version of the passenger van, with orders opening this year for deliveries in early 2024.
The European versions will come to market with a 77-kilowatt-hour battery pack that powers a 150-kilowatt electric motor driving the rear axle.