Despite Volkswagen's global dominance, the company has struggled to fully penetrate the American market. The introduction of rugged SUVs and pickup trucks, vehicles that are highly popular in the United States, could be a strategic move to bolster its presence in this key region.
One concept will be an all-electric SUV, designed to compete with models like the Land Rover Defender, Ford Bronco, and Jeep Wrangler. The other will be a pickup truck, aiming to rival the Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning.
"Built for work and play, our new Scout SUV and truck will be rugged, capable, and versatile. They have to be in order to credibly don the Scout badge. And with real tactile controls and real feel, they’ll meet the needs of Americans on the road and way off," Scout CEO Scott Keogh said in a LinkedIn post announcing the October event.
Both concepts are inspired by the iconic International Harvester Scout II and feature a retro-futuristic design, characterized by squared-off lines and vertically stacked taillights. Higher-trim versions are expected to come with chunky all-terrain tires, while more road-focused options will also be available.
Production will take place at a new facility in South Carolina, with Magna supplying batteries and electronics for the electric models. The Scout SUV and pickup will be built on a new ladder-frame platform, different from Volkswagen's existing MEB and PPE architectures.
The Scout SUV is set to begin production in 2026, with Volkswagen aiming to ramp up annual output to 200,000 units. This substantial investment highlights Volkswagen’s dedication to the Scout brand and its ambitious plans for the electric vehicle market.
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