Scout Motors - who are your competitors?

[Jim Nichols]

This will be Scout's main competitor until Jeep comes out with an electric Wrangler.

Electric 2025 Ford Bronco Lightning Concept Packs Extra Batteries And A Punch

No better way to kill range-anxiety than our HotCars Exclusive Render Bronco EV with a removable battery roof-rack that doubles up for extra storage.

www.hotcars.com

 

[R1TVT]

Just 1 man's perspective, but there are so many things wrong with these speculative articles about things that don't exist (as well as the concept of putting small, heavy battery packs on roofs of EV's).

 

[Jim Nichols]

True, here is Jeeps concept. I do like the roll cage and removable doors. Looks like it'll be a race that Scout will come in first!

Fully electric Jeep Wrangler concept explores brand’s off-road EV identity

There's no liquid-cooling or fast-charging, but it doesn't matter; the Magneto concept gets all-electric on the map with Jeep enthusiasts.

www.greencarreports.com

 

[R1TVT]

...and that was from 3 years ago.

 

[LastDayScout]

...and that was from 3 years ago.

True, but think Jeep has shown 2 or 3 versions of the Magneto concept since then.

 

[Jim Nichols]

The Jeep Recon will be Scout's top competitor:

4xe Plug-in Hybrid & Electric SUV Lineup | Jeep®

From the streets to the trails, the future of driving is electric. With a fully electric SUV lineup coming, learn about the Jeep® Recon and Wagoneer S today.

www.jeep.com

 

[R1TVT]

Surely it will compete, but it is not a pure EV, it is a PHEV.
Measurements of off-road capable pure EV vs. pure EV will be a better comparison for many buyers.
Once Jeep, Bronco, etc. have pure EV's we will have apples to apples.

 

[Jim Nichols]

Recon is pure EV.

 

[R1TVT]

Yes, I guess I should have been clearer. I see the Jeep (probably Rubicon or similar Wrangler) being the competitor to Scout when it is a pure EV.

The Recon seems like a Jeep Patriot as an EV! But, I'm not a Jeep guy, just my impression. I could be wrong.

 

[J Alynn]

I think these are really Cute! (Said sarcastically). I think this is designed for urban buyers who what a “Jeep”. I think it will be cross shopped but this doesn’t say rugged and outdoor to me-and that’s OK too but this looks like a compromise vehicle to get urban dwellers to feel more outdoorsy and be environmental.
It’s just too bubbly and happy feeling and that is one more reason I hope Scout maintains heritage looks.
I like the color!

 

[LastDayScout]

I think these are really Cute! (Said sarcastically). I think this is designed for urban buyers who what a “Jeep”. I think it will be cross shopped but this doesn’t say rugged and outdoor to me-and that’s OK too but this looks like a compromise vehicle to get urban dwellers to feel more outdoorsy and be environmental.
It’s just too bubbly and happy feeling and that is one more reason I hope Scout maintains heritage looks.
I like the color!

Today as the heat index in charleston is about 110 I have decided I don’t need a removable top. I like the Jeep Recon too and windows and the Fisker Ocean California mode windows. Yes, Scout should have a removable top. I just don’t require it.

 

[Mousehunter]

A lot depends on where they decide to target the vehicle. I would love to see it target an electric Wrangler or Bronco. Right now it looks like just another SUV - so I would say the Recon and the R1S are it's competitors. Right now, they say they want retro looks, but then I read one of the officer's bios and he said they want to avoid retro looks. I guess fine, it will be just another SUV then. Who cares if Jeep hit the Unlimited Wrangler out of the park, and so did Ford with the Bronco. It looks like Scout would rather be just another SUV. Kind of like Jeep having to say that the Recon is inspired by it's flagship Wrangler when it looks more like an electric Renegade.

It is hard for me to place, so I expect it is just a combination of a bunch of small things. Maybe some windshield angle, definitely rear glass angle, maybe the huge blind spot caused by the oversized rear pillar, the arched roof, the fact that the body looks like it was stretched 4" taller to put the battery pack in. Maybe it is the shorter windows. In the end it does not look like it has much Scout heritage left, and it was designed by someone who wants a crossover. Sure a crossover is a more practical daily driver - and that is why they sell so much better than Wranglers and Broncos - NOT. Crossovers are practical, but not lifestyle vehicles. Even if most of them turn into grocery getters - they sell a lifestyle.

I really, really want this vehicle to knock it out of the park, but the more I look at it - it reminds me of what VW did to the Buzz. They started out with a beautiful concept, and turned it into another minivan - abet I don't know what the American version will be. The EU version is more of a micro-van. 5 years ago, I really wanted to upgrade our Sienna on one - but instead got a Wrangler Unlimited (as a second vehicle) as I figured it would be a few too many years to wait. Now I hardly care. It lost 90% of it's appeal to me with the final design changes. Sad thing is Scout lost most of it's appeal to me between the concept and the first drawings.

Perhaps Scout will figure it out and not make just another SUV, but I kind of bet that a Wrangler or Bronco will pull it off and Scout will be just another SUV. The current drawings simiple do not embrace the lifestyle choice of an off road vehicle.
---
I am sure plenty of people want a removable top. That too is a lifestyle choice. I personally would prefer a good fixed top. Something better than the Unlimited's plastic excuse for one. My lifestyle choice was a roof platform on my LJ. One of my biggest complaints on the JL is the thin roof that transfers heat better than a frying pan. At least they did not put a sun roof in it as well.

 

[J Alynn]

A lot depends on where they decide to target the vehicle. I would love to see it target an electric Wrangler or Bronco. Right now it looks like just another SUV - so I would say the Recon and the R1S are it's competitors. Right now, they say they want retro looks, but then I read one of the officer's bios and he said they want to avoid retro looks. I guess fine, it will be just another SUV then. Who cares if Jeep hit the Unlimited Wrangler out of the park, and so did Ford with the Bronco. It looks like Scout would rather be just another SUV. Kind of like Jeep having to say that the Recon is inspired by it's flagship Wrangler when it looks more like an electric Renegade.

It is hard for me to place, so I expect it is just a combination of a bunch of small things. Maybe some windshield angle, definitely rear glass angle, maybe the huge blind spot caused by the oversized rear pillar, the arched roof, the fact that the body looks like it was stretched 4" taller to put the battery pack in. Maybe it is the shorter windows. In the end it does not look like it has much Scout heritage left, and it was designed by someone who wants a crossover. Sure a crossover is a more practical daily driver - and that is why they sell so much better than Wranglers and Broncos - NOT. Crossovers are practical, but not lifestyle vehicles. Even if most of them turn into grocery getters - they sell a lifestyle.

I really, really want this vehicle to knock it out of the park, but the more I look at it - it reminds me of what VW did to the Buzz. They started out with a beautiful concept, and turned it into another minivan - abet I don't know what the American version will be. The EU version is more of a micro-van. 5 years ago, I really wanted to upgrade our Sienna on one - but instead got a Wrangler Unlimited (as a second vehicle) as I figured it would be a few too many years to wait. Now I hardly care. It lost 90% of it's appeal to me with the final design changes. Sad thing is Scout lost most of it's appeal to me between the concept and the first drawings.

Perhaps Scout will figure it out and not make just another SUV, but I kind of bet that a Wrangler or Bronco will pull it off and Scout will be just another SUV. The current drawings simiple do not embrace the lifestyle choice of an off road vehicle.
---
I am sure plenty of people want a removable top. That too is a lifestyle choice. I personally would prefer a good fixed top. Something better than the Unlimited's plastic excuse for one. My lifestyle choice was a roof platform on my LJ. One of my biggest complaints on the JL is the thin roof that transfers heat better than a frying pan. At least they did not put a sun roof in it as well.

I think your points are quite valid and I share some of your concerns. The key point is NOBODY on this forum has listed a current SUV as a benchmark that isn’t a lifestyle vehicle. There are elements and features many of us mention but Bronco and Wrangler are always mentioned as is Rivian (while not retro it is a niche/lifestyle vehicle). If it doesn’t come off as heritage there will be no point in the vehicle as that is the primary opportunity followed by all EV.
The VW beetle was a great retro success. I still think the Ford thunderbird and Dodge viper were also successful as the were niche type vehicles who used heritage and retro styling very well.

 

[Albal]

I guessing it'll be a challenge to have a removable top in an EV, due to rollover safety and the extra weight of the batteries.

 

[J Alynn]

I guessing it'll be a challenge to have a removable top in an EV, due to rollover safety and the extra weight of the batteries.

But batteries are all on the bottom so the weight drops and should help improve the center of gravity concerns. Or am reading not thinking about it the right way?

 

[Ecca]

But batteries are all on the bottom so the weight drops and should help improve the center of gravity concerns. Or am reading not thinking about it the right way?

I guess the idea there was that yes, the low and heavy batteries do make it incredibly unlikely to roll over. However, in some odd edge case where it does somehow roll over anyway, there would need to be a very sturdy rollbar engineered to prevent the occupants getting squished from all that extra battery weight.

Basically, if it does end up upside-down it'd be bad to have a soft top. Not that it is easier to end up upside-down.

I have no idea how reflective this is of the reality of engineering aside from knowing that EVs tend to be very stable because of the low batteries. I'm just guessing what @Albal meant from my reading of the comment.

 

[OleScout]

New Land Cruiser...

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: Exploring Each Trim Level

The 2024 Land Cruiser comes in three trims, from a base model sporting cloth seats to the fancier limited-production First Edition.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[J Alynn]

New Land Cruiser...

2024 Toyota Land Cruiser: Exploring Each Trim Level

The 2024 Land Cruiser comes in three trims, from a base model sporting cloth seats to the fancier limited-production First Edition.

www.caranddriver.com

You beat me to it. Was just ready to upload a similar article. Will be a viable competitor

 

[Mousehunter]

I guess some of it depends on how aggressive people use them off road. I think it should be as stable as anything else on the road, but roll overs offroad are all about the terrain and the driver. When my brother-in-law did Moab - I think virtually every vehicle in their group spent some time on it's side or worse. That said, while batteries are heavy, so are tanks of gass and all the other stuff in a vehicle. If there is the will, creating a roll cage should not be all that difficult.
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In my perfect world - it would sell because it is a good vehicle on and off road (which I think the Wranger and Bronco manage), not because it is an electric vehicle might be able be able to do some trails.

 

[NewEnglandDannyD]

You beat me to it. Was just ready to upload a similar article. Will be a viable competitor

This one took me by surprise; it feels like Toyota ripped off some of the new Scout appeal and pricepoint. Is it just me, or does the profile look almost exactly like the Scout renderings? And a “1958” model - are they trying to say they were first to suv? That’s bs and we know it. My fear is they beat Scout to the punch, although it’s not 100% ev, and no removable top. More pressure to differentiate the Scout, but I have faith!!