By Michael Elkins
The Volkswagen (ETR:VOWG_p) ID. Buzz Cargo van has been crowned the international van of the year for 2023. Carsten Intra, Chief Executive Officer of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV), accepted the award from Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman of the IVOTY, at the VDA opening event "Stars Of The Year" on Monday.
A group of 24 judges awarded the van 110 points, putting it 10 points ahead of its rival, the new Ford (NYSE:F) Pro E-Transit. The final position on the podium was shared by the Renault (EPA:RENA) Kangoo E-Tech, Nissan (OTC:NSANY) Townstar Zero-Emission, and Mercedes-Benz (OTC:DDAIF) eCitan, which are all based on the same platform and EV running gear.
"It’s not too often that a totally new van concept comes around and immediately enters the marketplace," IVOTY chairman, Jarlath Sweeney said of the ID. Buzz Cargo at the presentation of the award in Hanover, Germany. "The new ID. Buzz is the case in point and has been duly honored with this award, the highest accolade in the light commercial vehicle industry. Congratulations to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle‘s design team on creating this unique vehicle that’s perfect for the environmentally conscious urban environment. It certainly makes a statement with its futuristic and slick styling, yet harks back to the original Transporter T1, from 70 years ago, with its V shaped bonnet, prominent VW badge, and short overhangs."
On accepting the IVOTY 2023 trophy, Dr. Carsten Intra, CEO of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stated: "Our ID. Buzz Cargo is ‘The Van of the Year 2023’! The first order volumes from our markets show us that our new ID. Buzz Cargo is the right model for commercial customers at the right time. Highly emotional feedback wherever the ID. Buzz appears and last but not least: this new form of mobility gets the right acknowledgment. But the highest recognition is the vote from this highly respected jury: winning this important International Van of the Year Award is such an honour! On behalf of the entire Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles team, I would like to thank the jury members very much for this. We are extremely proud and see this confirmation of our work as a motivation to continue as before: to offer the right commercial vehicle for each of our customers."