An Ontario camp for kids and families affected by childhood cancer or serious illness will benefit from the auction of the highly-anticipated all-electric Volkswagen First Edition 4Motion All-Wheel Drive ID. Buzz. Yes, that’s right the ID. Buzz is powered by a 91 kWh (gross) or 86 kWh (net) high voltage battery.
Campfire Circle, a privately-funded charity which has a camp in Muskoka and was formerly known as Camp Oochigeas and Camp Trillium, will receive the final bid for the van, which will be one of the first in Canada. The bidding, which began on October 30 and ends November 13, is open to all Canadian residents. Bids can be placed on VW ID. Buzz Auction website.
The starting bid was set at $86,495, which is the manufactured sales retail price and about $1,700 in additional value that includes an ID. Buzz branded standup paddleboard, two camping chairs and exclusive ID. Buzz merchandise. The van has a White/Cabana Blue Metallic exterior and brown leatherette seats.
Interest in the modernized version of the iconic 60s bus has already eclipsed $350,000. Thomas Tetzlaff, Manager, Public Relations at Volkswagen Group Canada, said the bidding has far eclipsed his projected figure.
The camp, which is the only one in Canada with onsite oncology, funds the cost for all campers and has special events for family members.
“We’re thrilled and delighted to be joining our Volkswagen Canada partners for the launch of a truly unforgettable vehicle,” Campfire Circle Chief Executive Officer Alex Robertson said in a media release. “We’re constantly overwhelmed by Volkswagen’s commitment to our organization, and we look forward to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one lucky person to get behind the wheel of an iconic EV while lending a helping hand to the kids and families we support.”
VW Canada has had an association with Campfire Circle for some 13 years and has been regularly donating it with money and vehicles. As part of the camp’s biannual fundraiser, VW has supplied it with a car to raffle off.
Tetzlaff said employees are hugely behind the camp and every Spring go to it to paint, clean, cut wood and essentially get it ready for another season.
“We’ve grown to become quite friendly with Campfire Circle, we love it,” Tetzlaff said. “They really appreciate what we do.”
He said the ID. Buzz was years in the making from the original concept reveal in 2001 until greenlighted in 2017. The first editions debuted in 2024. VW Canada had a huge party last week to unveil the van to dealers, fans of the brand, media and influencers. Earlier in the year, the company developed the idea to auction off the car and give all the money from the top bid to the camp.
VW Canada will soon supply dealers with demonstration units. Customer units are expected to be shipped sometime early in the new year.
“This is such a happy car,” Tetzlaff said. “You drive it, people are taking pictures of you, asking questions.”
Europe has been supplied with a short wheel-base version that was launched a couple years ago. North America will be supplied with long wheel-base version because of the customer appetite for bigger vehicles, Tetzlaff said. He added there are no plans at this point to bring the short-wheel base to North America.
The vehicles that will be sold in Canada will have bigger wheels, special interior trim and First Edition badging. The only choice will be rear- or all-wheel drive. Tetzlaff said there will be more AWD vehicles produced because of the anticipated market in Canada. The only differences will be the exterior colour, which will have five choices with a white top and three solid.
“We foresee them going pretty fast, and with the 2026 model we’ll open it up a little bit where customers can customize a little bit more,” Tetzlaff said.
Perry Lefko is the Content Manager of The Car Magazine. He can be reached at [email protected]. Feel free to forward any story suggestions or comments.
