--- title: "Hyundai Aims To Succeed With the Electric Staria Van Where the VW ID Buzz Failed: TDS" date: "2026-01-12" modified: "2026-01-12" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/hyundai-aims-to-succeed-with-the-electric-staria-van-where-the-vw-id-buzz-failed-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" --- # Hyundai Aims To Succeed With the Electric Staria Van Where the VW ID Buzz Failed: TDS ![Electric Hyundai Staria]() *\Alex Tapley\* Good morning and welcome to *The Downshift*, or *TDS* for short. Short, snappy, and succinct, *TDS* gathers the latest automotive headlines from around the globe and puts them in one place. Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. 🚨 A quick heads up that later this morning we'll be launching a new homepage redesign. I'm aware the current design is only a year and a half old, but things move fast in these uncharted times. More importantly, the redesign aims to bring more content to the top of the page for you. Why? It means less scrolling for you and less work for your eyes to move around the page. The redesign feels familiar with the same menu layout, color scheme, and overall feel. Feedback is absolutely welcome and we'll continue to refine and tweak things as we go. Today is just the Mk I of the design with further tweaks already in development. Shoot us a line with your thoughts at feedback@thedrive.com. The first cup of coffee is gone and I'm definitely ready for a second so let's get into it. 🚘 What I’m driving: Spent the weekend driving around in the Polestar 4 and have realized that while I don't love the lack of a rear window and setup with a rearview camera video stream, the design with an actual rear window would've provided horrid visibility. ⭐️ Hyundai [debuted an electric version of its futuristic-looking Staria van]() in Europe with a super fast 800-volt electrical architecture to enable it to charge from 10-80% in 20 minutes unlike the VW ID Buzz; whether the Staria EV will come to the U.S. is unclear, but Hyundai did promote the unveiling on its U.S. media site, which is a bit unusual for a European debut. 👨‍💼 Lucid's interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said that automakers need to [do a better job explaining]() the superiority of the technology in EVs along with the packaging advantages to consumers. 🪦 Rumors of the Genesis G70's death might have been overblown as a new report says the automaker might [give the sport sedan another facelift](). ⛽️ Chinese automaker GWM [showed off two gas-powered eight-cylinder engines]() at CES in Las Vegas including a 2.0-liter flat-eight for a motorcycle and a 4.0-liter V8. 🪽 An [Alfa Romeo Giulia with a crazy wing]() inspired by hydrofoils from a racing sailboat debuted. 🧱 Lego is now selling [two new Bugatti kits]() as part of its Speed Champions line. 💸 Waymo is [paying people $20 to $40]() to close car doors. 🖼️ GM's [new Detroit headquarters has opened]() and its design is said to pay homage to its heritage with modern amenities wrapped in a midcentury modern design. 🏎️ Hans Herrmann, Porsche's first Le Mans winner, [died at the age of 97](). *Have feedback on the formatting of TDS? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()