Over the past seven years, Volkswagen has been rapidly transforming its iconic California camper van into a full-fledged family of vehicles, solidifying this evolution with the launch of the Caddy California in 2020. Now, in 2024, Volkswagen is making it official: California has become a new sub-brand under Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. This new brand will go beyond offering just camper vans and will provide a range of expanded services, products, and unique travel experiences.
The latest addition to the family is the all-new Caddy California PanAmericana, launched right after the debut of the T7 California and ahead of the anticipated arrival of the ID. Buzz in the U.S. With so much buzz around Volkswagen’s van life offerings, it’s no surprise they’re spinning off the California name into its own brand. What is surprising, however, is how much more the California brand will encompass besides selling camper vans.
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“We are establishing a new brand at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles called California, which goes far beyond our popular camper vans,” explained Lars Krause, VW board member for sales and marketing. This new “California world” offers a broad array of services, products, and adventure experiences. From trip planning to purchasing equipment and accessories, from renting or buying a camper van to enjoying exclusive California events, the brand aims to offer a seamless, integrated experience for the growing California driver community.
At launch, the brand’s services will include streamlined booking for event tickets, camper van rentals through Roadsurfer, hotel stays, and activities like surfing that complement camper van journeys. A one-stop solution for planning all aspects of your trip will be available via the California mobile app, while members of the California Club will enjoy special discounts.
Despite the shared name, the California brand isn’t limited to California van owners. The new range of products and services will be extended to owners of third-party Volkswagen-based camper vans, making the California ecosystem even more inclusive. Additionally, there will be a complete line of camper van accessories and lifestyle products, all available through the app.
One of the most valuable aspects of the new California brand will be its comprehensive technical support. Vehicle issues can severely disrupt a road trip, so the California Profi Service will provide Europe-wide mobility service, offering peace of mind for California owners on the go. “Ensuring that California drivers have technical support on trips is particularly important to us,” says Krause. This service is being positioned as the first of its kind from any camper van manufacturer.
However, despite the name, the California brand isn’t coming to actual California—or the rest of the U.S. for that matter. For now, Americans can only look at the California sub-brand from afar. Although there’s still hope that Volkswagen will eventually launch an ID. Buzz California camper in the U.S., this new offering remains exclusive to Europe.
Adding a touch of irony, Volkswagen has drawn further inspiration from the Americas with its new Caddy California PanAmericana. Debuting at this year’s Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, the PanAmericana package introduces a rugged aesthetic without significant off-road enhancements. Inspired by the legendary Pan-American Highway that stretches from Alaska to Argentina, the package evokes visions of epic road trips. The PanAmericana Caddy includes a rear-view camera, keyless start, LED exterior lighting, and digital instruments as part of its upgraded feature set.
Aesthetically, the Caddy California PanAmericana stands out with bold PanAmericana badging, 17-inch alloy wheels, and matte-black accents. The rugged look is complemented by silver highlights, a rear slide-out mini kitchen, camping table and chair set, and camping blinds. This new offering provides the ideal setup for two-person road trips, and Volkswagen promises more exciting developments in the near future. Stay tuned for more updates on the Multivan California, ID. Buzz, and other exciting products as the California brand continues to evolve.
