At the end of October, Scout Motors, a Volkswagen subsidiary based in the US, will reveal its electric SUV and ute, with production beginning before 2027.
The Scout name was originally used on a series of off-road models built by International Harvester. They were rivals for Jeep CJ and Ford Bronco. Production ended 44 years ago.
The new Scout Motors has been working on the pair of newcomers for two years, after VW bought the brand and decided to reboot the iconic name. These new electric off-roaders are aimed squarely at the US market. They will compete with Rivian, Land Rover, Ford and Jeep product.
Late in October the firm will reveal the two concepts which preview an SUV and a pick-up truck. They utilise a new and bespoke EV platform designed for on- and off-road work. Priorities include good ground clearance, axle articulation, approach and departure angles and payload capacity, along with decent range.
A teaser image of the front end design reminds of Bronco and Land Cruiser. But there’s none of the boxy utilitarian proportions, or upright windscreen. They draw inspiration from the Scout 4x4s produced between 1960 and 1980, with short overhangs and window-line flicks. Like Rivian, Scout will use a single design for its SUV and pick-up truck, the latter with an extended wheelbase and load bed.
Whether or not Scout Motors enters other markets is not yet clear. Part of the $2b investment in the US is a massive manufacturing facility in Columbia, South Carolina. The new factory can make up to 200,000 vehicles per annum.
It’s possible that the SUV will kick off at under $US40,000, undercutting the likes of F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV.
Volkswagen wants to not only be a player in the American SUV and pick-up market but also to double its EV market share in the US. This is all part of its goal to be the world’s biggest-selling electric vehicle manufacturer by 2025.
This will close in 8 seconds
