Scout Motors returns with two new, rugged concepts after a forty-year hiatus. Originally produced by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980, the Scout was billed as the world’s first Utility Vehicle. Since then Scout has developed an enthusiastic following due to the hard-working, capable SUVs and trucks that it produced. In this new era, i.e. the revival of Scout, the brand is backed by Volkswagen and produces electric vehicles that carry the legacy of the beloved brand.
REVIVING A LEGEND
Scout CEO Scott Keogh drew from the legacy of International Harvester. He built on the rugged heritage of American outdoorsmanship with an eye on community focus. Keogh tapped a powerhouse design team to help usher the brand’s re-entry into the marketplace. Led by prolific designer Chris Benjamin, most recently of Stellantis fame, the brand is taking bold strides toward the future. Scout Motors has chosen an ambitious path forward by reviving the heritage nameplates of Terra and Traveler.
Debuting as both an SUV and a Truck, Scout's designs lead with bold, muscular bodies and clean lines. With looks that will speak the love languages of Defender, R1S, and Bronco owners, the vehicles look distinctly modern. The cabins feel bright and spacious with flexible seating due to the excellent use of light and space. Thoughtful details abound on the interior. The impressive packages include sustainable fabrics and neat finishing. They also have functional features that almost beg you to plan a road trip just to test them all out.
The concepts debuted with fully-electric powertrains, body-on-frame chassis, front and rear mechanical lockers, and a solid rear axle. This implies that the new generation of Scout Motors will uphold the brand’s legacy of off-road capability and can-do performance.
CALLING AMERICA HOME
While backed by the might and German heritage of Volkswagen, Scout Traveler and Scout Terra will be built exclusively for the brand in South Carolina. The location for this construction is in Columbia, South Carolina at a 1,600 acre site near I-77.
It will draw on the rich talent pool of Charleston, Greenville, Charlotte, and Atlanta. It could also as serve an additional American anchor for the wide-spanning automotive group. Firmly entrenching themselves in the region, Scout Motors aims to become a community hub by creating thousands of new jobs. As they ramp up production to more than 200,000 vehicles per year.
BUILDING A VEHICLE THAT YOU CAN LOVE
Scout Motors delivered two concepts laced with modern technology. They answer the lingering pain point of range along the road to electrification with a base range of 350 miles. Both options are available with an extended range variant boosted by a game-changing, built-in, gas-powered generator, called The Harvester. The innovation will take the anticipated range to over 500 miles by adding a bit of petrol to the mix.
Embracing the grit and forward-thinking history of the original Scout, the vehicles will be built with zonal architecture. It will provide nearly seamless updates for the consumer. Remote diagnostic assessments and over-the-air updates that can be controlled from inside the vehicle or by custom app will ensure a smooth process.
A NEW SALES MODEL
Scout Motors will launch an exclusive direct-to-consumer model that differs from that utilized by other Volkswagen dealerships. Featuring studios and a ‘customer-first philosophy’, it remains to be seen how the process will be implemented. We anticipate a strategic roll out starting in South Carolina. That being said, reservations for the vehicles open now for $100 for the 2027 production dates.
Both entry model prices start at $60,000 and then reducing to $50,000 and $51,500 with available incentives. It is no surprise that Scout is offering buyers a compelling offer that has the automotive industry a buzz chatting about how "Scouts always come back."