Volkswagen & Uber Team Up To Launch Self-Driving ID. Buzz Vehicles In L.A.

Autonomous rides are officially getting a serious style upgrade. Volkswagen and Uber have just announced a major partnership that’s bringing the all-electric ID. Buzz AD—the futuristic, self-driving version of VW’s iconic Microbus—to the streets of the United States. And it all kicks off in Los Angeles.

The ID. Buzz AD: Electric, Autonomous, and Seriously Cool

Volkswagen Group of America and Uber Technologies are teaming up to launch a fleet of fully autonomous ID. Buzz AD vehicles over the next decade. The plan? Start testing in late 2025, and if all goes smoothly, you’ll be able to book a ride in one of these tech-packed vans via Uber as early as 2026.

During the rollout, there will be human operators on board to keep things smooth and safe while the system continues to learn. Everything is moving forward step by step with regulatory approvals in mind.

Starting in Los Angeles—Then Expanding to More Cities

Los Angeles will be the first city to experience this blend of retro style and modern autonomy, with more U.S. markets to follow. This isn’t a one-off pilot program—it’s a long-term vision from both companies to scale up to thousands of autonomous rideshare vehicles.

MOIA Brings VW’s Autonomous Tech to the Table

MOIA, a Volkswagen AG brand focused on autonomous mobility, will be providing the entire driving solution for these vehicles. That includes the ID. Buzz AD itself and the software-based autonomous driving system that powers it.

Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility, made it clear this isn’t just another tech experiment:

“Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer—we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision. What really sets us apart is our ability to combine the best of both worlds—high-volume manufacturing expertise with cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of urban mobility needs.”

A New Era for the Microbus—with Uber on Board

Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, highlighted just how meaningful this partnership is for the company’s mobility ambitions:

Volkswagen believes that mobility is transformational. Our partnership with Uber is the next step for us to realize this vision and unleash the potential of autonomous mobility. Through our work with Uber, we’ll introduce the ID. Buzz, the reimagined version of the iconic Microbus in all-electric form, to a growing number of riders in the years to come.”

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi sees it as a major moment in the future of ridesharing:

“This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the advancement of autonomous mobility, and highlights both Volkswagen’s and Uber’s shared dedication to building the future of transportation. We can’t wait to launch in Los Angeles late next year.”

The Bottom Line

This partnership is more than just another AV announcement—it’s bringing personality and retro-cool style to autonomous vehicles in a way we haven’t seen yet. The ID. Buzz AD doesn’t just turn heads—it drives itself.

Stay tuned as Uber and Volkswagen get closer to flipping the switch on this retro, electric, and driverless future.