Volkswagen pulls U.S. electric mini‑vans from export list
VW Suspends ID. Buzz Deliveries Amid Technical Recall and Tariff Challenges
Volkswagen announced Thursday that it had halted ID. Buzz deliveries in North America, citing a technical recall mandated by U.S. authorities and the impact of a new 25‑percent tariff on imported electric vans.
Technical Recall Highlights
At the heart of the recall is the station‑wagon’s rear seats, which officials described as “too wide for the vehicle”. The decision to pause shipments stems from the need to address this safety issue before the vans can be shipped.
Tariff and Export Challenges
Since April, the ID. Buzz has faced a fresh U.S. tariff of 25 percent on cars that are not largely manufactured within North America. The tariff, imposed under the Trump administration, has made exporting the van into the United States considerably unfeasible.
- Manufactured in Hanover, the ID. Buzz’s export has declined sharply.
- VW reported a 16.2 percent drop in U.S. shipments in the three months ending April.
- German business daily Handelsblatt cites high tariffs as the main reason for VW’s delivery slowdown.
Industry Response and Market Outlook
Foreign automakers have begun to adjust to the tariffs, with luxury brand Mercedes-Benz delaying certain U.S. deliveries in anticipation of possible tariff reductions. Meanwhile, German officials remain cautiously optimistic about a potential trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union, which would benefit key industries such as automotive manufacturing and machine engineering.
