Volkswagen stumbled upon a valuable asset in its acquisition of Navistar International by way of its Traton subsidiary: the Scout brand. Despite decades of struggle to penetrate the US market effectively, Volkswagen sees potential in revitalizing the Scout brand to turn the tide.
With plans to capitalize on Scout’s strong off-roading legacy, Volkswagen aims to introduce two robust EVs: a pickup truck and an SUV. While details on these models remain scant, indications suggest they will be full-size vehicles, positioning them prominently in the crucial US market segment. This places the Scout pickup truck in a higher segment than the Rivian R1T, although both will compete fiercely in off-road capabilities.
Initial design sketches of the upcoming Scout EVs were revealed alongside the announcement of the brand’s revival in 2022. However, recent teasers suggest potential design alterations. Scout Motors’ chief designer, Chris Benjamin, is likely finalizing the designs, as the revealing of the electric off-roaders is scheduled for late summer, possibly in August.
Volkswagen’s strategy regarding Scout EVs has evolved, with the latest information indicating a partnership with Magna Steyr for development and production. While Magna Steyr faced challenges with Fisker Ocean EVs, Volkswagen remains hopeful for Scout EVs. Production is slated for a new EV plant in South Carolina.
Since Volkswagen lacks a suitable vehicle architecture for electric off-roaders, designing one from scratch presents both advantages and disadvantages. Alternatively, partnering with Ford and utilizing its T3 architecture, shared with the upcoming F-150 Lightning and electric Bronco, could offer a solution.
However, regardless of the approach, Volkswagen is determined to drive the Scout Motors project with a startup mentality, though this initially unsettled Volkswagen dealerships. The challenge lies in maintaining this innovative spirit while moving around the established dealer network world, which is crucial for success in the competitive US market.
