Update (September 5, 2024): ‘Features,’ and ‘Price & Release Date’ sections revised.
The VW Group is stepping up its game in the U.S. with a brand tailored for truck models: Scout. A Scout electric truck (pickup) will be the inaugural launch, and here’s everything we know about the first product from Scout Motors:
Why Scout?
When Volkswagen Group acquired Navistar in 2021, it inherited the rights to the iconic Scout brand (International Harvester Scout). Prior to that, for about five years, the company sought an entry in the truck (pickup) segment in America, showcasing two concept vehicles. In 2021, it sensed a great opportunity with the badge that reminds people of the country’s first off-road SUV, former CEO Dr. Herbert Diess told TechCrunch in an interview (via YouTube).
Volkswagen Group has established Scout Motors independent of Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA). The latter markets models from the Volkswagen, Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Bugatti brands in the country. Scout Motors will report directly to headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany. Scott Keogh, previously the President and CEO of VWGoA and the CEO of Volkswagen North American Region, is the President and CEO of Scout Motors since September 1, 2022.
Model Name
Scout Motors has applied for 61 trademark applications at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and many of these have the potential to become the company’s upcoming EVs or their trim levels:
- Aristocrat
- Rallye
- Travelstar
- Travelstar XL
- Hauler
- Trailstar
- Forma
- Tellus
- SSII
- Sno-Star
- Terrastar
- Scout II
- Scout 800
- Scout 80
- SR-2
- Tythe
- Terra
Specifications
Volkswagen Group is looking to make its Scout electric truck and SUV as American as possible. Design and engineering of these models will take place in the United States. The German conglomerate had earlier only stated that the Scout pickup will sit on “a new technical platform concept” that offers “credibility beyond the existing Volkswagen Group portfolio”.
Rugged. Capable. Versatile. Our new Scout SUV and truck are rooted in the same tradition that made the original an American icon.
Caption on ScoutMotors.com
New platform
On March 3, 2023, Scout Motors confirmed that the Scout electric truck will be based on a dedicated EV platform that offers great off-road prowess. The company will focus on aspects like ground clearance, approach angle, axle robustness, payload capacity, etc.
The same day Scout Motors released the aforementioned details, TechCrunch published a report disclosing some new information after interviewing Keogh. According to the report, the Scout electric truck will have a body-on-frame construction, which will ensure it’s just as rugged as any other popular, gas-powered model of the same class. There will be a few commonalities with other Volkswagen Group models, though, such as HVAC components, motors, and inverters.
SC417
A CAR Magazine report, released on December 23, 2022, uncovered that the electric pickup truck is known internally known as SC417. The British report, citing a company insider, had said that the Scout pickup truck will have a Double Cab configuration. Similarly, it’s equipped with all-wheel drive and two electric motors capable of producing up to 469 horsepower.
NACS
In Summer 2023, many global automakers began announcing the adoption of the NACS charging port for their EVs in the U.S. In the final month of the year, Volkswagen Group followed suit, confirming it will start using the NACS charging port in Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Scout EVs in 2025. Thus, the Scout electric truck will be able to charge at more than 15,000 Tesla Superchargers in the U.S. and Canada. Electrify America plans to offer the NACS connector at charging stations by 2025.
On Magna’s involvement
On December 8, 2023, citing Keogh, Automotive News reported that Scout Motors had partnered with Magna International to develop the first Scout EV. The company used its help in the early phase when it didn’t have engineers, but now, its engineers are leading the project.
Magna International has already developed the Fisker Ocean‘s platform and has been manufacturing the SUV in Austria since November 2022. The company will manufacture the pure-electric Mercedes G-Class starting this year. Magna International’s involvement in the development of the electric truck should help accelerate the process and ensure a timely launch.
Design
Volkswagen Group has released a few teasers to give us a fair idea about the silhouette. On June 21, 2023, it released a new picture at its Capital Markets Day event.
We can tell that the Scout electric pickup will have an upright front-end, with a sleek, concave upper part and a sporty and muscular lower fascia. The hood will be flat and be located high, giving the model a confident stance. It will feature ribs and may hide a spacious ‘frunk.’
On the sides, the A-pillar and greenhouse will be quite edgy, and the door panels will have clean-sheet smoothness for high aerodynamic efficiency and classic simplicity, something that will be projected even by straight lines. Tall and wide tires, a high ground clearance, pronounced wheel arches, and large mirrors will clearly communicate the vehicle’s tough and rugged character. There’s a hint of dual-tone paint also in the first teaser that you see in this section.
Volkswagen Group briefed its Scout Motors plans to a small group, most likely International Harvester Scout owners or fans, to get feedback. A post from Facebook group Friends of the Binder Planet member Jeff Blade dated October 3, 2022, has some details. Blade found the official video shown to the group more intriguing than every Super Bowl commercial he has seen so far! According to Blade, the Scout electric truck will be truly American, highly off-road capable, and aftermarket-customizable.
Chris Benjamin is leading the design work of Scout EVs. Prior to this assignment, he was the Vice President of Interior Design at Stellantis North America and the Director of Interior Design for Jeep, Wagoneer, Chrysler, Ram, and Dodge at Stellantis. He has worked at Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volvo as well.
The Scout pickup would sit on a bespoke electric platform, which would allow using its dimensions more efficiently. Like most electric trucks, it will come in a crew cab version. Even though Scout will likely be a lifestyle brand, Volkswagen Group is not compromising on the capability of the trucks. From the initial sketches, it looks like it is designed to handle anything that comes its way.
We don’t have a reference point for its dimensions, but it looks like the Scout electric SUV will be quite a big pickup truck like the GMC Hummer EV SUV. However, it might not be as wide as the electric Hummer, as it doesn’t have clearance marker lights on the roof.
Features
Dr. Diess had suggested that the Scout electric truck will be Volkswagen Group’s most technologically advanced pickup. Speaking to TechCrunch, he hinted at features like a solar roof, vehicle-to-load (V2L), and rear-wheel steering for Scout models. A solar truck bed cover (as an accessory) could offer tangible range benefits, whereas features like rear-wheel steering and the ‘Multi-Flex Midgate’ have already been implemented by GM on Ultium-based electric truck models.
Physical controls
According to the TechCrunch report dated March 3, 2023, the Scout electric truck will be a bit traditional on the inside, not overly digital like the Tesla Cybertruck. Keogh said Scout Motors wants this model to have “the mechanical nature” of a normal truck. He suggested physical controls will be available to adjust the temperature and other essential functions, which he again hinted at via his Linkedin post in September 2024.
And with real tactile controls and real feel, they’ll meet the needs of Americans on the road and way off.
Scott Keogh, CEO of Scout Motors, on September 4, 2024, via Linkedin
In February 2024, Benjamin told InsideEVs.com that manual controls that are easy, functional, and tactile are very important. He suggested that the buttons, switches, and knobs may remind customers of the classic Scout vehicles, but they won’t feature a retro design.
Production
Production of the Scout electric truck will take place at a new Scout Motors dedicated EV plant in Blythewood (South Carolina), USA. Located on the Blythewood Industrial Site, which spans approximately 1,600 acres, the factory will cover an area of 1,100 acres and have an annual production capacity of over 200,000 units. Construction is underway, and Scout Motors has confirmed that it targets to commence production by the end of 2026, with customer deliveries commencing soon thereafter.
Volkswagen Group will invest USD 2 billion in the Scout Motors plant in South Carolina. The company may even manufacture Audi EVs, including an Audi pickup truck based on the same platform as the first Scout EV, at the new U.S. factory. Dr. Jan Spies has joined Scout Motors as its Chief Production Officer, and will oversee the launch of the Blythewood plant.
Price & Release Date
The starting price of the Scout electric truck could be in the high USD 40,000s, Keogh told InsideEVs.com in February 2024. Deliveries of the Scout electric pickup truck will start 6-7 months after the Scout electric SUV, possibly in mid-2027.
Scout concept vehicle debuts on October 24, 2024
Keogh took to Linkedin on September 4, 2024, to announce that Scout Motors will present the SUV and truck concept vehicles next month. We’re expecting the production vehicles to be at least 80 percent like the conceptual designs.
On October 24, 2024 – 44 years after the last Scout II rolled off the line – we’ll officially reveal our new Scout SUV and truck concepts.
Scott Keogh, CEO of Scout Motors, on September 4, 2024, via Linkedin
In his Linkedin post, Keogh expressed his excitement for the upcoming reveal, emphasizing that the new Scout SUV and truck concepts will stay true to the brand’s rugged, iconic design and versatile functionality, built for both work and play. He underlined the importance of American ingenuity in bringing these vehicles to life, celebrating the Scout community and promising vehicles with real tactile controls and a focus on connection and adventure.
Right-Hand Drive
The Scout electric pickup truck could also be launched in right-hand drive countries like Australia and New Zealand. Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume said that Scout’s markets are to be finalized, and that work will be done when the company further advances with engineering, Drive said in a report on September 5, 2023.
Ryan Davies, the Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Australia, has said that he’ll be on the first plane (to Scout Motors HQ in Tysons, Virginia,) to discuss the Australian launch, CarExpert reported the same day.
TopElectricSUV says
The Scout electric truck has the potential to be the next American workhorse. Pure-electric and performance-focused, it could be ideal for customers who spend most of their time outdoors and in worksites with challenging terrain. Scout Motors should make sure that it is affordable for the masses despite its capability and being all-electric, unlike the GMC Hummer EV Pickup that only a few can dream of owning.
Also Read: VW Group’s Scout electric SUV: Everything we know
Scout Electric truck FAQs
What is the Scout electric truck’s release date?
The Scout electric truck should arrive at dealers in mid-2027.
What will be the Scout electric truck’s price?
The Scout electric truck’s prices will start in the USD 45,000-50,000 range.
Which models will be Scout electric truck rivals?
Rivian R1T, Tesla Cybertruck, Chevrolet Silverado EV, and the Ford F-150 Lightning are the potential rivals.
Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s rendering of the Scout electric truck
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
