2025 SCOUT EV: EVERYTHING CONFIRMED SO FAR

The Scout revival at the hands of the Volkswagen Group has been one of the most anticipated electric vehicle revivals in recent times, and we finally have an official reveal date. Scout Motors took to its official social media platforms to confirm that we would get our first look at its electrified off-roading SUV on the 24th of October 2024. This is exactly 44 years after the final Scout II rolled off the production line at its Fort Wayne, Indiana assembly plant.

Unfortunately, the brand remains quiet about any possible design cues, specifications, or features, so there isn't a lot of concrete information for us to theorize what we can expect when the brand finally removes the covers off the new product next month. The rumor mills have also been quiet since the last update, which makes this product one of the best-kept secrets in the automotive industry today.

International Harvester is an American company, founded in 1902 that specialized in agricultural and construction equipment, but in 1961 it ventured into the passenger car realm with its acclaimed Scout pickup truck and SUV. This production was fairly well-lived as the moniker enjoyed an almost 20-year lifespan covering two generations. Unfortunately, the economic instability of the 1980s forced the brand to put an end to a bulk of its manufacturing options, and it rebranded into the Navistar Group in 1986. This shift put an end to the company’s automobile aspirations as it shifted focus to manufacturing trucks and powertrains. The Navistar Group was sold to Volkswagen in 2020, which opens up a realm of possibilities for the German automotive giant, including the confirmation of it bringing the Scout name back to life as an EV truck and SUV.

Scout Goes All In On Off-Roading

Like the original models it intends to honor, the new-generation of Scout's EVs will prioritize off-roading to the same tune as Rivian. In fact, these newcomers will be a direct rival to the R1S and R1T, which have both been dominating sales charts in their respective segments. We don't know the exact specifications of the new EV's platform, but Volkswagen's CEO declared in an interview that it would sit on an all-new electrified ladder-frame chassis, which would extend to other SUVs in the group's future projects. A lot of companies are taking advantage of electrification to reintroduce ladder frame construction to the off-roading world, so this should give the Scout EV SUV and pick-up a considerable edge when they arrive sometime in 2026. Scout benefits from the Volkswagen Group's substantial backing, which gives it a noteworthy advantage, especially when you include its cult-classic legacy.

The Volkswagen Group doesn't have any ladder-frame platforms in its arsenal if you exclude the Ford Ranger-based Amarok truck that is sold in international markets, so we understand that it will build this architecture from the ground up. It will also likely incorporate some components from its existing PPE and MEB systems. Considering how expensive electric platforms are to develop, this is a bold strategic decision from the German automotive giant, but it can yield massive payoffs. The Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T are two highly successful electric vehicle options, and the online buzz we're seeing from fans regarding this imminent reveal is indicative of how successful the Scout revival can be for the brand. Interestingly, the Scout died off due to financial constraints and a lack of demand, but the fandom it has built over the last few years is sure to jump start its re-entry into the American automotive market.

The Scout EV Is Historically Inspired Design

The Volkswagen Group has done a stellar job at keeping the Scout's interior and exterior design cues under wraps, as we haven't seen any leaks or spied footage whatsoever. The only clues we have to go one are a handful of teaser images that highlight how the SUV and truck duo will take on a conventional three-box design language that's reminiscent of the original models.

Naturally, we can expect LED lighting and anti-scuff plating to be abundantly present, together with a plethora of available off-roading or lifestyle accessories. Scout will likely aim to introduce its inaugural models to the full-size segment, as this appears to be the ideal starting point for a new manufacturer. We see this with the likes of Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla , who all enjoyed a strong start by introducing more aspirational and larger electric cars before entering the mainstream market.

Regarding interior design, it's highly likely that the Scout EVs will stick to the minimalist but functional layout that makes the existing models so popular today. We're likely to see a combination of large digital displays and some physical controls, with multiple hard-wearing upholstery and color options. There's also likely to be a combination of new and shared parts applied to the Scout EV's interior, as this is one of the most sensible methods to cut production and development costs. The Volkswagen Group benefits from an expansive parts basket, so this can be applied in an organic way that shouldn't cheapen the overall feel of the upcoming utilitarian electric off-roader. We can also expect safety to be a top priority, with multiple active and passive safety features and the most advanced driver assist systems.

How Volkswagen's Investment Into Rivian Affects The Scout

We recently learned that Volkswagen has pledged $5 billion worth of investments into the Rivian brand, which is a peculiar decision considering it is poised to compete with the EV off-roading start-up once the Scout arrives. This news raised a lot of questions regarding the group's plans to revive the Scout, but Volkswagen Head of Strategy and Finance Communications Christopher Hauss confirmed with media outlets that its investment into Rivian is purely to leverage its substantial software and tech-based innovations. It can apply these tools to upcoming electric vehicles, including the new Scout range, resulting in faster development and production times and reduced costs.

Volkswagen And Rivian's Pivotal Financial Partnership

• Volkswagen invested $5 billion into Rivian as part of its strategy to strengthen its electric vehicle lineup.
• This investment is aimed at bolstering Rivian's manufacturing capabilities and supporting its growth in the EV market.
• Volkswagen seeks to leverage Rivian's expertise in electric trucks and SUVs to complement its existing electric vehicle portfolio.
• The collaboration includes technology sharing and potential future vehicle development between the two companies.
• Volkswagen hopes this partnership will accelerate its transition to an all-electric future and help compete with Tesla and other EV manufacturers.
• Rivian will use the funds to expand its production capacity and increase its market presence in both the U.S. and global markets.

Ford is another major investor in the Rivian brand for similar reasons, which has helped the EV start-up achieve such impressive results in its first few years of operation. Hauss also confirms that the Volkswagen Group remains committed to the Scout brand and highlights it as a crucial component of its electric strategy in North America , but there's a strong chance that the Scout range can extend to international markets. This would be a noteworthy advantage for the group, as no manufacturer currently offers an off-road-focused electric vehicle outside the U.S., except for some Chinese brands that only focus on their domestic markets.

Pricing, Competition, And Release Date

We are yet to get a first official look at the Scout so official pricing will be absent for some time. Thankfully, the new division’s CEO Scott Keogh has divulged some information on what we can expect from the new product’s position in the market. He confirms that the company is looking at getting the new EV truck in at around the $40,000 price point so that it can compete with like-minded compact trucks like the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma

There aren’t any fully electric trucks currently available in this segment, but it will likely go head-to-head with the upcoming Rivian R2 . There’s also strong speculation that Ford and Chevrolet are working on fully electrified compact trucks to supplement their existing EV trucks.

Volkswagen is currently planning for an official product launch by 2026, and a first look at the concept design sometime next year. Production is currently scheduled to start at the beginning of 2025 at an all-new Scout-dedicated production facility in Columbia, South Carolina. There’s no argument that the Scout will be one of the most anticipated products to be released this decade. If Volkswagen nails the design and production, it could be looking at a new golden goose that will further increase its global market share. It is not yet clear whether the model will get its own dedicated dealership, or be sold through existing VAG networks.

The Scout Fans Are Buzzing

The idea of having an official Scout revival has been generating a lot of excitement among the relatively small sects of existing fans. Volkswagen only plans to show the official concept next year, but it has shown the design to limited focus groups in California and Texas, to get some idea of how strong its current direction is. It is understood that these trials resulted in some of the best receptions the brand has ever enjoyed. If one thing is for sure, it's that the Scout won't end up being an overpriced white elephant with an identity crisis.

Volkswagen is somewhat apprehensive that Scout loyalists who still keep the brand alive through annual events and meet-ups may not favor the new, futuristic approach that they have planned for the revival. Despite this, it will focus on making the product a forward-thinking design that brings the International badge into the modern age of electrification, connectivity, and automation, rather than keeping it focused on the past. The group plans to construct around 200,000 copies a year as it believes this will be a big seller across key global markets.

2024-09-10T11:10:35Z dg43tfdfdgfd