Interesting quote from NY Times - VW + Rivian + Scout

[bobz]

Read this article today entitled "Why do S.U.V.s Look Like Trucks Again?" and read this quote. Interesting but unsure if this accurate about the new Scout.
"VW also plans to integrate Rivian’s technology into an ambitious revival of the Scout brand, long-defunct trucks built by International Harvester. The strategy seems clear: With no American off-road heritage of its own, VW is looking to buy one instead."

 

[J Alynn]

I’d say it’s 100% accurate but to be clear it’s VWAG not VW. since VW is what we see in the U.S. it gets referenced but truth is VW hasn’t ever been able to successfully launch a rugged truck/SUV in this country. The irony is when Scott Keogh figured out the strategy, VW instantly thought they should have “ownership” in the U.S. but the larger umbrella realized, like Scott, that Scout Motors has to be its own company because there’s too much negativity toward the U.S. VW market

 

[N Wilson]

I think mostly accurate, but the way it's worded makes it sound like they just bought a turn key operation and can immediately start cranking out vehicles.

They bought a company (Navistar) that included a brand (Scout) but they still have to build the new company from the ground up, and execute on successfully launching it.

How they navigate that procees will largely determine their success or failure, depending on how they execute it. From everything I've seen so far, it seems like they are doing everything about as well as can be expected, and I think they are headed for a successful launch, and I'm here for it.

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

It is a carefully written statement.

Volkswagen has won the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally numerous times, has won in World Rally Championships four times and that’s without any of the lower level competitions or other brands within the group.

That said, no VW is not widely known in America for off-road heritage (air-cooled buggies aside). VWAG bought Navistar’s medium and heavy duty truck business in 2020 to add it to VW’s Traton truck division portfolio. It was a small group of people here in America that looked at bringing Scout trucks back to market and had to build a business case for it. The primary investor is Volkswagen AG.