Australia keeps waiting: Volkswagen pulls the new Caravelle off the runway

Volkswagen has paused plans to bring the new Caravelle to Australia, citing overlap with the existing Multivan and ID. Buzz. The Transporter PHEV is also delayed to 2027.

Author: Polina Kotikova

15:22 09-06-2026

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Volkswagen has put plans to launch the new Caravelle in Australia on hold. The nine-seat passenger van had been expected in local showrooms following its European premiere.

The reason lies in the structure of the Volkswagen Australia lineup itself. Commercial vehicles director Nathan Johnson said the brand’s range is already overloaded. With the diesel Multivan and the electric ID. Buzz on sale, another passenger van risks overlapping with the options already available.

The new Caravelle uses the same commercial platform as the Transporter — one shared with the Ford Transit Custom and Ford Tourneo. In Europe the model is offered in diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric versions. The Caravelle was previously sold in Australia on and off between 1982 and 2024, but no return date has been confirmed for the new generation.

In parallel, Volkswagen Australia has pushed back the launch of the plug-in hybrid Transporter. Where the PHEV was previously expected in 2026, it is now slated for the first half of 2027. For now, the Transporter is offered in Australia with a 2.0-litre diesel and in the e-Transporter electric version.