Volkswagen begins testing self-driving vehicles in U.S.

AUSTIN, Texas (WDEF) – Volkswagen Group of America announced on Thursday that they are beginning a test program in the U.S. for autonomous vehicles.

The program involves a batch of 10 electric ID.Buzz vehicles.

They will come equipped with an AD (self-driving) technology platform.

The plan is to add more vehicles to the Austin fleet over the next three years, and expand the test to four more cities.

“We are thrilled to bring our exciting ID. Buzz vehicles to American roads”, said Pablo Di Si, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “Expanding Volkswagen Group’s global autonomous driving vehicle program to the United States marks an important milestone for us. In the future, we will tap into rising demand for new mobility services, and with our iconic ID. Buzz, we will also offer a truly captivating product to support transportation services American consumers can rely upon and trust.”

The company eventually plans on selling entire fleets of “specially designed” ID. Buzz AD vehicles to organizations.

“Expanding our autonomous vehicle program to the North American Region is the next step in our global strategic roadmap, and the result of a long-term collaborative investment”, said Christian Senger, Member of the board of management of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles with responsibility for the development of autonomous driving. “Moving into this next phase will help us test, validate and refine technology, bring us closer to establishing commercially available transportation offerings and eventually grow the diverse mobility portfolio for the Volkswagen Group.”