The Scout brand is back - as a VW subsidiary in the USA

Things are not going so well for Volkswagen in the USA: With Jetta, Tiguan, and many South American SUVs such as the ID.4, they somehow miss the mark compared to Subaru... Great hopes rest on the ID. Buzz and the Scout brand!

They achieved this by allowing the truck subsidiary Traton International-Navistar, headquartered in Lisle, outside the gates of Chicago, to make a purchase. In their showrooms, beside the trucks, they also have an original Scout on display.

Since the desired off-road brand under the VW sign didn't work out, they created Scout, a retro brand that didn't exist so far, because once upon a time, the Scout was the passenger car model of the agricultural machinery and truck brand International Harvester…

Now it's up to the Scout Traveler, a powerful SUV, and the Scout Terra, an equally impressive pickup, both imposing, modern, and electrically powered. For this, the Volkswagen Group, headquartered in the southern states of the USA, has treated itself to a new brand named Scout. The name and design are meant to recall those SUVs from the 1960s/70s that bore the model name Scout and were sold by the US manufacturer International Harvester.

“After two years of preparation, the day has finally come to share the next generation of Scout vehicles with the world,” rejoices Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors and adds in an American-style exaggeration:

“The original core idea - robust, versatile vehicles suitable both for adventure off-road and for the family - is more relevant than ever. We couldn't be prouder to revive this iconic American brand, create thousands of American jobs, and bring American ingenuity back into play.”

Volkswagen executives have been irritated for decades that in North America they can only bake small rolls and receive barely more than crumbs from the mass cake of full-size pickups and SUVs. No wonder, since the large Atlas was actually conceived for China as the Teramont, and what else is offered is only (too) compact and insignificant...

Big goals – in every sense

This is supposed to change with the new, distinctly American-positioned US brand Scout, and currently, there seems to be no plan for the Scout models to make their way to Europe or Asia. The duo, to position the brand stylishly in the market, bears the names Traveler and Terra, an SUV and a pickup on the same technical basis. Neither the brand nor the models are meant to become SUVs or lifestyle softeners, but we want to confidently compete against the top US league with models like the Ford F-150 / Expedition, Chevrolet Silverado / Tahoe, Ram, or Jeep Wagoneer.

Backward step: To be on the safe side, the Scouts also come with a range extender

Somewhat surprisingly, the exile duo sailing under the Scout label is now not going to be purely electric, as the demand for electric pickups and SUVs in North America is rather reserved. The majority of interest is still covered by powerful gasoline engines and increasingly also diesel engines. Therefore, alongside the pure electric versions of Traveler and Terra with ranges over 500 kilometers, there will also be those with a range extender that can extend the range to the next charging stop to over 900 kilometers. Both vehicles are powered by electric motors that are expected to deliver well over 367 kW / 500 hp and more than 1,200 Nm of torque. For quick recharging, Scout Traveler and Terra are equipped with an 800-volt electrical system that is expected to allow charging speeds of up to 350 kilowatts.

Scout leaves no doubt that both vehicles are real off-roaders for tough everyday and show use, meant to compete against rivals like the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, or Rivian R1T and R1S. Both models rest on a sturdy ladder frame and have a solid rear axle to credibly support appropriate off-road capabilities, along with 35-inch tires and over 30 centimeters of ground clearance. Even with towing capacity and payload, there should be no concessions for American customers despite the electric drive. The platform can haul up to 4.5 tons, and the payload of both models is said to exceed 900 kilograms.

Visually, Scout Traveler and Terra indeed recall that charismatic International Harvester, which had a loyal following as the Scout particularly from the late 1960s. “A Scout vehicle should always be a helpful companion,” says Chris Benjamin, chief designer of the new brand Scout Motors, and adds:

“It should always enable the customer to do the things they want to do and make their experiences easier, better, and faster.”

In addition to design and corresponding driving performance, the Scout models aim to score with high everyday usability and fair prices to have a real chance in the particularly price-sensitive US market.