Production Volkswagen I.D. Buzz coming in 2022

The electric van will spawn a cargo-hauling model, too.

Ending a long-standing rumor, Volkswagen has confirmed plans to put the retro-inspired I.D. Buzz concept (pictured) into production. The announcement was made during this year's edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.

"After the presentations at the global motor shows in Detroit and Geneva, we received a large number of letters and emails from customers who said, 'please build this car.' The Microbus has long been part of the California lifestyle. Now we're bringing it back by reinventing it as an electric vehicle," said Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess in a statement.

Don't get your checkbook out just yet. Volkswagen explains the I.D. Buzz is tentatively scheduled to make its debut in 2022, meaning it might not arrive in showrooms until the 2023 model year. The company points out it's mostly targeting China as well as markets in Europe and North America. There's no word on yet on where it will be built.

Volkswagen confirmed the I.D. Buzz -- a name that likely won't be retained for production -- will ride on its upcoming MEB platform, so it will be powered by a rear-mounted electric motor and the battery pack will be integrated into the chassis. Rear-wheel drive will come standard, and dual-motor all-wheel drive will be offered at an extra cost.

The heritage-laced design will make the transition from the show floor to the showroom floor with only minor tweaks. The company also promises the van will remain connected and highly automated.

"Based on the new all-electric architecture, the production version of the I.D. Buzz will incorporate many design ideas from the concept car, including multi-variable seating, interactive connectivity and highly automated driving," Volkswagen said in a statement.

The news admittedly doesn't come as much of a surprise. We've been hearing rumors about the production version of the I.D. Buzz since the concept made its debut in Detroit earlier this year. However, Volkswagen also announced the model will be available as a panel van aimed largely at commercial buyers.