Scout Motors Unveils New Electric SUV and Truck: A Return to American Off-Road Heritage

On Thursday, October 24, Scout Motors is set to unveil its highly anticipated new electric SUV and truck, marking a significant return to the U.S. market after a 44-year hiatus. The reveal event will take place in Franklin, Tennessee, at 5:00 PM ET.

The new Scout vehicles are designed to embody the spirit of their predecessors, known for their innovation, ruggedness, and American grit. Scout Motors, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, has been working on these models with a focus on maintaining the intuitive, mechanical spirit that defined the original Scouts. According to CEO Scott Keogh, the new vehicles will be built on a body-on-frame platform, a deliberate choice to retain the simplicity and off-road capability that Scout enthusiasts cherish.

The electric SUV and truck are part of Scout Motors’ strategy to compete with other off-road capable vehicles like the Rivian R1S, Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Toyota Land Cruiser. The company has emphasized that these vehicles will not be “badge-engineered, jellybean-shaped soft-roaders” but rather purpose-built four-wheelers designed from the ground up for serious off-road capability.

Scout Motors has invested heavily in this new venture, with a $2 billion investment in a 1,100-acre manufacturing facility in Blythewood, South Carolina. This facility is expected to create 4,000 jobs and produce 200,000 vehicles annually once it is fully operational. However, the production timeline for the new Scout models has not been disclosed yet, and consumers can expect a wait before the vehicles hit the market.

The company’s approach combines American product planning and marketing acumen with German manufacturing expertise, aiming to better understand and meet the needs of American buyers. Scout Motors has been engaging with the off-roading community and leveraging the heritage of the original International Harvester Scouts to ensure the new models align with the brand’s historical values.