VW Updates ID Buzz Cargo Concept To Hawk Nike Shoes

Volkswagen introduced the ID Buzz Cargo concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, but now the company has unveiled an updated variant that will make appearances in Chicago, Santa Monica and New York City.

The updated van was created in partnership with Nike which was originally known as Blue Ribbon Sports. Their first employee, Jeff Johnson, was known for selling shoes out of his Type 2 Bus, so Volkswagen and Nike decided to pay tribute to that by updating the ID Buzz Cargo concept to look like Johnson’s old van.

As part of the makeover, the concept has been stripped of its Volkswagen Motorsport livery. It has been replaced by new logos which promote Nike and Blue Ribbon Sports as well as their original storefront at 3107 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica, California. That address is noteworthy as Nike reopened the store and that’s where the updated concept will make its first public appearance on October 5th.

Also Read: VW I.D. Buzz Cargo Announced, Arriving In 2022

At all three stops, visitors can check out the van and learn more about Nike’s history. They can also donate used athletic shoes to the Reuse-A-Shoe recycling program and purchase exclusive footwear.

Since the changes to the van are minimal, it likely has a familiar 111 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) electric motor that powers the rear wheels. Volkswagen has previously said this setup could enable the van to travel up to 340 miles (547 km) in the WLTP cycle.

While this particular van is simply a concept, Volkswagen has already announced plans to build production versions of the ID Buzz and ID Buzz Cargo concepts. Both are slated to arrive in 2022 and Volkswagen has said the models will “incorporate many design ideas from the concept car, including multi-variable seating, interactive connectivity and highly automated driving.”