Extra, Extra....Read All About It!

[Bodie]

I hate mission and vision statements. SM’s mission is the same as every other company in a capitalist system- make money. They do need a cohesive and consistent marketing message to be able to do that by launching Scout as a brand. They need to make it clear that they didn’t “just buy the name”. They bought a fully functional vehicle manufacturer (Navistar) that is the former International Harvester and the builder of Scouts. It needs to be clear that they are totally separate from VW. I think the separation would be easier if they started using a name for the SUV and pickup to make it clear that Scout is the brand (and VW isn’t).

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

I think, despite our continued storylines, the press finds it difficult to separate Scout from VW. Eventually, this will change with time as Scout builds its own products, rolls out various models and trim lines, and establishes the brand more fully in the market. That said, the automotive world is full of brands under one parent company umbrella (which Scout Motors technically isn't), and much like Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche, and others, there will probably always be some mention by the press about VW. Effectively, VW is our biggest investor in a new car company. They ask how we spend the money once in a while, and we can ask for help or dip into the group parts bin. Why design, engineer, test, and build ourselves a turn signal module if the existing modules being used in all the various brands already work very well and have existing economies of scale, making that part cheaper for our vehicles? That's the advantage we have in being able to utilize the group brands and engineering pools. At the same time, we are working on an all-new body-on-frame vehicle that no other brand group offers, built to our specifications and needs.

I know the wait has been long, but later this summer, you will finally get to see the vehicles, and we will be able to talk more about the products, some technical details, and more. There are still way too many aspects that are under negotiation with suppliers and haven't been finalized in contracts, so they can't be discussed yet. Trust that as soon as we can talk about those things, we will share them with you all.

 

[Mousehunter]

At the end of the day, the simple fact (for better or worse) is that you are not totally independent of VW. You have access to their technology and don't have to reinvent the wheel. You just need to be sure the wheel fits first before you use it. Plus, for the most part, VW has a decent brand image. Very little residual technology, other than technology that VW has already assimilated, from Navistar or International Harvester will really apply to a new EV. Lets face it, there is only so much crossover between heavy trucks and relatively light consumer EV's. There was more crossover between tractors and offroad vehicles when the Scout was originally in production.

Ok, that said, I don't know all the tech in Navistar's stable. I don't know how much EV research they have done - but I do expect that any of it that is valuable to consumer vehicles has already been brought into VW's EV program.

 

[OleScout]

CNN is getting in on the action

VW is reviving a storied American brand to sell electric SUVs

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/17/cars/vw-scout-american-electric-suvs/index.html

 

[Bodie]

CNN is getting in on the action

VW is reviving a storied American brand to sell electric SUVs

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/17/cars/vw-scout-american-electric-suvs/index.html

The title of this article is an example of the problem. VW is NOT reviving Scout, VW Group is. The marketing problem is higher than Scout Motors. It would be so much better if VW group was called anything else. Call it Porsche group, Audi group, or if you want to be nostalgic, Auto Union. For me, “Volkswagen “ is a huge turnoff. If I wasn’t already super excited about Scout and I heard VW Scout, I would have no interest.

 

[OleScout]

The title of this article is an example of the problem. VW is NOT reviving Scout, VW Group is. The marketing problem is higher than Scout Motors. It would be so much better if VW group was called anything else. Call it Porsche group, Audi group, or if you want to be nostalgic, Auto Union. For me, “Volkswagen “ is a huge turnoff. If I wasn’t already super excited about Scout and I heard VW Scout, I would have no interest.

Unfortunately this is the mainstream media today, it's not about accuracy it's about who can report it first.

 

[J Alynn]

So got an email from Toyota today about the new Land-cruiser and base price. I realize hey scaled it back in size and cost from previous gen but $55K+ as starting price-Ouch! I sure hope the new Scout is less than that to start and hopefully with a removable top

 

[61ih80]

How can you incorporate a removable top and not have the ugly door frames extending up? I see [don't know if Je.. or Br....) but it looks half a$$. Nothing will replace the iconic image Scout has given Br...

 

[R1TVT]

So got an email from Toyota today about the new Land-cruiser and base price. I realize hey scaled it back in size and cost from previous gen but $55K+ as starting price-Ouch! I sure hope the new Scout is less than that to start and hopefully with a removable top

Given where LC prices have been in the past, and given where the market has gone, I actually was thinking this was one of the more reasonably priced quality off-roaders to have come out in recent years. I also like what they did with the LC. I'm still not a huge fan of Toyota (despite having owned all of their trucks).

 

[Bodie]

How can you incorporate a removable top and not have the ugly door frames extending up? I see [don't know if Je.. or Br....) but it looks half a$$. Nothing will replace the iconic image Scout has given Br...

Frameless windows like Bronco or easily removeable doors like Jeep and Bronco. I would give up frameless windows for a less obtrusive/bulky roll cage than Bronco. I know it has to have one to pass safety standards but I would like it to be as traditional looking (steel tube) and as thin tube as possible to pass. OR best case, make it 2 door and have doors just like Scout II.

 

[LastDayScout]

This Mercedes-Benz EQS Has Lost Nearly $58,000 Of Its Value In Two Years — Jalopnik

Despite rising sales, EVs aren’t getting any cheaper. Luckily the used market has been more than kind to a number of used EV models. Many EV models that were once hot sellers with big markups just a couple of years ago have turned into great used buys

apple.news

This should be a cautionary tale. After reading this I emailed my BMW salesman and asked him what a hypothetical trade on my 19,000 mile BMW iX would be. I think I paid $107k in February of 2023. He said they just traded one in that is similar with fewer miles, but also fewer options for $58k. I’m not trading and I love the car. But That sucks! Scout, please do what you can to preserve residual values.

 

[LastDayScout]

Car dealers are stressed about direct sales of VW’s Scout or Sony’s Afeela EVs — Quartz

Car dealers are terrified of direct sales. They see protecting the franchise sales model as paramount. I mean, how else are they going to charge for crap you don’t need and try to force you into financing their bonuses plus the price of the car for 84 months? Skipping the middle man is such a...

apple.news

 

[J Alynn]

Car dealers are stressed about direct sales of VW’s Scout or Sony’s Afeela EVs — Quartz

Car dealers are terrified of direct sales. They see protecting the franchise sales model as paramount. I mean, how else are they going to charge for crap you don’t need and try to force you into financing their bonuses plus the price of the car for 84 months? Skipping the middle man is such a...

apple.news

Thanks for that article. I sure hope they figure out how to sell direct. Dealerships suck.
Does anyone know how the processes behind the scenes work? Is there set margins dealers make or all arbitrary beyond the MSRP. Can scout set MSRP at $45K and sell to dealership at $44K? As I already stated, I’d Taj Mahal the cost to build the new REQUIRED stand alone dealerships and guild them in wood and stone and lots of expensive materials. I’d be happy to help design a prototype.
Greedy, useless middleman industry.

 

[J. Sweat]

I sure hope they figure out how to sell direct.

They can sell them on VW lots for all I care, let’s gooooo!

 

[Chaparral]

I appeal to Scout Motors to please do direct no hassle sales with one fixed price that everyone pays. Do what is best for the customer because that is what is best for your business.

Dealerships introduce too many user hostile behaviors because the sales structure rewards them. My first experience buying at a dealership was terrible. I negotiated the price over email and phone calls but once I arrived at the dealership the sales person raised the price. Then they tried to wear me down by drawing out the negotiating process, with the salesperson going back and forth to the manager over a period of a few hours! It was getting late and we were getting drained and hungry so my wife went and got take-out and we ate it in the showroom. They really didn’t like that! Eventually they came down close to the price that was previously agreed.

Every time I have purchased a car at a dealership I paid in full. Every time they insisted in running a credit check and then repeatedly tried to get me to change my mind and go with financing. They only allowed a very small amount of the purchase price to go on a credit card (which gets me points), would not take any cash and required me to go to a bank and get a cashier’s check. In a long drawn out process designed to wear me down they required me to sign dozens of pieces of paper, each of which gave them an opportunity to try to sell me some add-on. It sucked every time!

I’m sure there must be some good dealerships out there but that’s not my experience. The sales structure rewards dark, dishonest and user hostile behaviors.

 

[J. Sweat]

Totally agree with @Chaparral … I was only kidding and, in context, perhaps a bit too excited right after buying merch. I’m sure it’s a complicated legal and financial analysis but dealerships are objectively bad for the relationship between automakers and their consumers.

 

[R1TVT]

After buying direct through Rivian, I would have a hard time gong back to a dealership. The fleecing, bait and switch, sales manager games, paperwork hassles, and worst of all, the added fees like "Dealer Adjustments" for new cars ain't bringing a whole lot of "excitement" to the buying process. LOL.

 

[Albal]

I think all like-minded car companies should work together to get those ridiculous "must sell cars through a dealer laws" struck off the books. It's basically legalized racketeering. They could drum up huge support from the public. Time for strong offense instead of reactionary defense. Perhaps at both the state and fed level simultaneously.

 

[J Alynn]

I think all like-minded car companies should work together to get those ridiculous "must sell cars through a dealer laws" struck off the books. It's basically legalized racketeering. They could drum up huge support from the public. Time for strong offense instead of reactionary defense. Perhaps at both the state and fed level simultaneously.

Agree with you 100%

 

[Jl737]

Agree with you 100%

Agreed…I’ve bought a Tesla and a Rivian. Both the Tesla and Rivian process was straightforward, quick and seamless. A year and half ago my wife bought a Lexus. Even with very little haggling she spent hours at the dealership signing who knows what and waiting to talk to various people about who knows what. Direct to consumer would be a big benefit for Scout.