Volkswagen has resurrected the one-time vehicle manufacturer Scout as a line of electric trucks and SUVs. The initial prototypes will be unveiled in 2023, production is scheduled to start in 2026 and the Scout will be built on a new technical platform concept. Scout will be an independent company based in the United States and will design, engineer and manufacturer EVs for the U.S. market.
“Electrification provides a historic opportunity to enter the highly attractive pick-up and R-SUV segment as a Group, underscoring our ambition to become a relevant player in the U.S. market,” said Herbert Diess, CEO Volkswagen AG.
The Scout SUV was produced by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980. Volkswagen Group acquired the Scout trademark in 2021. VW is establishing the Scout brand in an attempt to increase profitability in the U.S. and hopefully garner a 10% market share.
“The company we will establish this year will be a separate unit and brand within the Volkswagen Group to be managed independently,” said Arno Antlitz, CFO Volkswagen AG. “This aligns with the new Group steering model – small units that act agilely and have access to our tech platforms to leverage synergies.”
