The Road to Scout Production - All the latest updates in one place...

  • From all of us at Scout Motors, welcome to the Scout Community! We created this community to provide Scout owners, enthusiasts, and curiosity seekers with a place to engage in discussion, suggestions, stories, and connections. Supportive communities are sometimes hard to find, but we're determined to turn this into one.

    Additionally, Scout Motors wants to hear your feedback and speak directly to the rabid community of owners as unique as America. We'll use the Scout Community to deliver news and information on events and launch updates directly to the group. Although the start of production is anticipated in 2026, many new developments and milestones will occur in the interim. We plan to share them with you on this site and look for your feedback and suggestions.

    How will the Scout Community be run? Think of it this way: this place is your favorite local hangout. We want you to enjoy the atmosphere, talk to people who share similar interests, request and receive advice, and generally have an enjoyable time. The Scout Community should be a highlight of your day. We want you to tell stories, share photos, spread your knowledge, and tell us how Scout can deliver great products and experiences. Along the way, Scout Motors will share our journey to production with you.

    Scout is all about respect. We respect our heritage. We respect the land and outdoors. We respect each other. Every person should feel safe, included, and welcomed in the Scout Community. Being kind and courteous to the other forum members is non-negotiable. Friendly debate is welcomed and often produces great outcomes, but we don't want things to get too rowdy. Please take a moment to consider what you post, especially if you think it may insult others. We'll do our best to encourage friendly discourse and to keep the discussions flowing.

    So, welcome to the Scout Community! We encourage you to check back regularly as we plan to engage our members, share teasers, and participate in discussions. The world needs Scouts. Let's get going.


    We are Scout Motors.

Jamie@ScoutMotors

Scout Community Veteran
Staff member
1st Year Member
Nov 4, 2022
612
1,775
Chicago
www.scoutmotors.com
Hello fellow Scouts!

The road to production has started, and we thought it would be helpful to start one large chronological topic that contains all of our updates in one place. We will still make individual topics for significant news and major milestones, but having a topic like this is fun to read the buzz, see the comments, and generally look back on later on from a historical perspective.

Normally most car companies don't open up customer channels like this until a concept or the actual vehicle is shown about a year before production. Well, that isn't going to work for us. We want to take all of you along for the ride - a longer road trip so to speak - where we can tell some great stories, share major news and milestones, talk about the features and things you want to see, watch a few good movies, and genuinely get excited about our destination.

It is all about the road less traveled and the journey along the way. 🍻

Scouting Ahead!
 

May 11, 2022​

Volkswagen to launch all-electric pick-up and rugged SUV in the United States​


Volkswagen will launch an all-electric pick-up and rugged SUV in the United States. The decision of the Board of Management was confirmed today by the Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group.

The vehicles will be designed, engineered, and manufactured in the U.S. for American customers. To this end, a separate, independent company will be established in the U.S. this year as the Volkswagen Group moves the strong iconic U.S.-brand Scout into the electric vehicle space. The first prototypes are to be unveiled next year, and production is scheduled to start in 2026. The electrified Scout brand will be built upon a new technical platform concept which brings new pickup and RUV credibility beyond the existing Volkswagen Group portfolio.

Herbert Diess, CEO Volkswagen AG: “After Volkswagen’s successful turnaround in the U.S., we are now taking the opportunity to further strengthen our position in one of the most significant growth markets for EVs. Electrification provides a historic opportunity to enter the highly attractive pick-up and R-SUV segment as a Group, underscoring our ambition to become a relevant player in the U.S. market.”

Success in the R-SUV & pick-up segments is a key lever to increasing profitability in the U.S. and achieving the targeted market share of ten percent. The Volkswagen Group is thus continuing to systematically expand its presence in one of the most significant global growth markets.

Arno Antlitz, CFO Volkswagen AG: “The company we will establish this year will be a separate unit and brand within the Volkswagen Group to be managed independently. This aligns with the new Group steering model - small units that act agilely and have access to our tech platforms to leverage synergies.”

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November 14, 2022


Scout Motors Establishes The Brand's Online Presence; Teases Front End Design​




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  • Scout establishes first online presence with www.scoutmotors.com and a dedicated community forum establish first online presence for Scout.
  • Scout SUV front-end teaser image offers glimpse of design direction for the next generation of Scout trucks and SUVs
  • Scout Registry created to chronicle classic Scout vehicles, to connect owners, and to share personal photos and stories
Tysons, Virginia – Today, Scout Motors Inc. ("Scout") established the brand’s online presence for the first time by launching its website, social media, and brand-owned community forum.

Clean, bold, and intuitive, the new Scout website (www.scoutmotors.com) gives consumers a glimpse of the company's future branding and design direction. With its nod to the past and gaze toward the future, the website boasts an honest style and an intuitive user interface that is easily navigated. Declaring that “The world needs Scouts” and communicating a bold call to action, the brand makes it known that now is the time for its all-electric truck and SUV to carry the legendary Scout name into the future.

The new Scout website also provides a glimpse of future product design with the release of a front-end teaser image for the Scout SUV. The teaser image shows the Scout concept sporting a strong stance and upright posture reminiscent of classic Scout models.

To complement its website, Scout also launched Scout Community (https://scoutmotors.community.forum/), an online meeting place where members can engage the Scout Motors team, offer feedback and suggestions, and build bonds with other Scout enthusiasts and owners. In addition to profiling local events and meet-ups, future events of Scout Motors will be announced with Scout Community.

"The Scout enthusiast community has preserved the heritage of the legacy Scout name. Since 1980, these owners and fans have kept Scout alive. We're excited to be a part of the community and want to foster interaction and exchange as we reimagine the iconic Scout name," said Scott Keogh, CEO of Scout Motors. "We started this forum to nurture an open dialogue with our community members, to hear what they expect in all-new Scout vehicles, and to build a central location where past, present, and future Scout enthusiasts can come together as one."

Companies rarely get the opportunity to engage consumers this early in the design process. The Scout Community allows the Scout Motors team to interact directly with community members and embed their feedback into planning at an early stage.

Within the Scout Community, Scout Motors created the Scout Registry to chronicle vehicle history, ownership, and unique builds. Scout owners can create their own Scout Registry entries by uploading descriptions and photos of their Scout vehicle. The Scout Registry offers a chance to share personal Scout stories, see your previously-owned Scout vehicles, and welcome new Scout owners once production of Scout’s all-new, all-electric truck and SUV begins.

Scout’s online presence now includes:


About Scout Motors Inc.

The Scout, produced from 1961 to 1980, was the world’s first utility vehicle capable of both off-road adventure and family duty. It was the 8-day-a-week truck. Scout is now an American icon whose heritage is kept alive by a dedicated community of doers that continue to push their vehicles on the farm, in the wilderness, and on family outings.

42 years after the last Scout was produced, Scout Motors was formed to craft the future of all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs, revitalizing a legend and returning American industry to its heartland.

A subsidiary of Volkswagen Group AG, Scout Motors is a Delaware corporation, headquartered in Tysons, Virginia. Vehicle production is targeted to begin in 2026, with the first retail sales of trucks and SUVs occurring in the same year.

To learn more, visit www.scoutmotors.com

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March 3, 2023​

Scout Motors Selects South Carolina for Production Site​


Scout Motors Selects South Carolina for Production Site; Plans to Create 4,000 Jobs
Scout to innovate and electrify its American heritage at new US manufacturing facility

Columbia, South Carolina, USA (March 3, 2023) – Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout”) is establishing its first manufacturing plant near Columbia, South Carolina, where it will build next-generation trucks and rugged SUVs harkening back to the iconic Scout vehicles produced from 1960 to 1980. The $2 billion investment has the potential to create 4,000 or more permanent jobs. At full capacity, more than 200,000 Scout vehicles may be produced annually at the facility.

“Scout Motors will provide thousands of South Carolinians with previously unimagined opportunities and prosperity for generations to come. The Palmetto State, with its rich history, superior people, and sterling automotive manufacturing reputation, is the perfect place to re-start this iconic American brand,” said Governor Henry McMaster.

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South Carolina is an established leader in the global automotive industry, with over 500 automotive-related companies and 75,000 automotive industry employees. The state is No. 1 in the U.S. for export sales of both completed passenger vehicles and tires.

Looking forward, Gov. McMaster and the State of South Carolina are committed to becoming the epicenter of electric vehicle innovation. Through an executive order issued in October 2022, Gov. McMaster prioritized building EV infrastructure, preparing the state workforce for advanced manufacturing jobs, and strategically organizing EV planning under a centralized state working group.

The site spans approximately 1,600 acres, with the plant itself occupying 1,100 acres. Bordered by I-77 and Blythewood Road, its strategic location is less than 20 miles north of Columbia and near major cities and talent hubs such as Charleston, Charlotte, Greenville, and Atlanta. This proximity gives Scout unrivaled access to major highways, ports of Charleston and Savannah, and universities focused on automotive engineering. Groundbreaking is planned for mid-2023, and production is projected to begin by the end of 2026.

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Scout’s trucks and rugged SUVs will be built on a newly designed all-electric platform that delivers credible capability and off-road prowess. With internal engineering focused on attributes including ground clearance, approach angles, robust axles, payload capacity, all-electric range, and new digital features, Scout products will honor its heritage while injecting fresh American ingenuity to create a new era of iconic all-purpose vehicles.

“We’re honored to partner with South Carolina to usher in this new era for Scout,” said Scott Keogh, President & CEO of Scout Motors. “Scout has been an American icon since introducing an SUV in 1960. It's the vehicle that took your family on a camping trip, that gave access to the great outdoors, and that showed up on the job site every morning. Today, we’re reimagining Scout’s original ingenuity and electrifying its future. We’re bringing the Scout spirit to South Carolina and it's going to be a hell of a ride.”

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Scout Motors is established as an independent U.S. company with backing from Volkswagen Group and non-executive board members Dr. Gernot Doellner, Head of Group Strategy at Volkswagen AG, and Peter Bosch, Member of the Bentley Motors Board for Manufacturing. Scout is currently evaluating the potential for outside investment.
JLL, led by Vice Chairman Greg Lubar and Executive Managing Director Matt Jackson, represented Scout in the site selection.
To learn more about Scout, visit www.scoutmotors.com.

###​

About Scout Motors
The Scout, originally produced by International Harvester from 1960 to 1980, was the world’s first utility vehicle capable of both off-road adventure and family duty. It was the 8-day-a-week truck. Scout is now an American icon whose heritage is kept alive by a dedicated community of doers that continue to push their vehicles on the farm, in the wilderness, and on family outings.

Scout Motors was formed to craft all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs rooted in the same tradition that made the original Scout an American icon. Scout Motors is revitalizing a legend and returning manufacturing to American shores.

Scout Motors is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia. Vehicle production is targeted to begin by the end 2026, with the first retail sales of trucks and SUVs occurring soon thereafter.

To learn more, visit www.scoutmotors.com and follow along on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.


New Teaser Image:


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March 20, 2023​

Scout Motors and State of South Carolina Factory Ceremony​


A stream of the ceremony is available. The audio isn't completely synced up in the beginning but it does come around mid-way through...

 

April 12, 2023​


Scout Motors Returns to Baja Peninsula for NORRA Mexican 1000

Honoring decades of off-road tradition, Scout Motors sponsors community member

Sean Barber for world-renowned race



Tysons, Virginia (April 12, 2023) – Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout Motors”) will honor its iconic heritage by returning to the Baja peninsula to race in the NORRA Mexican 1000 in partnership with the Anything Scout Vintage Racing Team. A vintage 1976 Scout Terra will take the starting line in Ensenada, Mexico on April 30 and aims to successfully complete the five-day campaign with finish line arrival in San José del Cabo on May 4.

Scout last appeared on the Baja peninsula in 1982 when Sherman Balch and James Acker won nearly every off-road race in their class, including the Baja 1000. More than 40 years later, Scout Motors is embarking on a journey to create a new era of iconic all-purpose vehicles that embrace both innovation and the adventurous Baja spirit of Balch and Acker.

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“Off-road racing serves as a proving ground for American automotive die-hards,” said Scout Motors CEO and President Scott Keogh. “The Baja peninsula, in particular, is the spiritual home for high performance off-road racing. As we build Scout Motors, it's only fitting we start in Baja in classically proven trucks to capture the essence of Scout. From there, the NORRA Mexican 1000 is a chance for us to draw inspiration from Scout racing heritage and learn how to best inject future products with off-road DNA and rugged capability.”

The Anything Scout Vintage Racing Team is led by Sean Barber, owner of Anything Scout, a retro-mod shop geared toward the Scout enthusiast. In the same spirit of adventure that fuels thousands of Scout drivers on the road today, Barber will race in a period-correct, purpose-built Scout Terra dubbed the Race Terra. Barber’s Race Terra is tastefully restored to respect the vehicle’s original ingenuity while adding the racing equipment needed to endure Baja’s terrain.

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“When I get behind the wheel of a Scout, I feel a strong emotional connection with the past, the community, and the outdoors,” said Barber. “We started building the Race Terra in late 2022 and quickly turned around a vintage style dirt-trouncing machine. The idea was to keep it simple, keep it strong, and keep it Scout. This is what Scouts are made to do.”

For Scout Motors, a crucial part of reimagining the brand is connecting with the many loyal Scout enthusiasts to ensure the spirit of the community is recognized in new Scout Motors vehicles. In addition to sponsoring community members like Barber, Scout Motors regularly connects with aficionados through Scout Community, an online meeting place where members can engage with the Scout Motors team.

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The NORRA Mexican 1000 was started in 1967 and is known as “the Happiest Race on Earth.” No other racing event immerses competitors and the community in the culture and beauty of Baja like the NORRA Mexican 1000. The Race Terra will compete in the Legends Era 4x4 class of the event.

Race Terra Technical Specifications:

Truck: 1976 Scout Terra

Builder: Anything Scout, Ames, IA

Wheelbase: 118 inches

Engine: International Harvester stock 195 ci, 4 cylinder

Transmission: T-19 close ratio 4-speed manual

Axles: Dana 44 with alloy shafts, 4.56 gears

Tires: General Grabber X3 33x10.5x15
 
We’d like to extend a huge congratulations to the Anything Scout and Scout Vintage Racing Program team on their finish at the 2023 Norra Mexican 1000 yesterday!

For those of you who aren't aware of the Norra Mexican 1000, it's a grueling 1000-mile race down the Baja peninsula where racers have to battle everything from dirt and rocks to silt and sand traps. The race is finished over the course of 5-days, and Sean and his team completed it yesterday in a vintage Scout Terra, dubbed the Race Terra.

As you may know, for us at Scout Motors, a crucial part of reimagining the brand is connecting with our community ad making sure that the community is recognized in the new Scout Motors vehicles and culture, and we’re excited to take the lessons learned from members like Sean, and inject them into the spirit of the new Scout vehicles.

So, congratulations to Sean and the team, and we're looking forward to catching up when they're back in CA to hear stories from the track, take some of those lessons and drop them into the design and engineering DNA of the new vehicles, and get some solid plans together for 2024. Stay tuned for some cool things we have in the works, and will be announcing soon 😉

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Hello fellow Scouts!

The road to production has started, and we thought it would be helpful to start one large chronological topic that contains all of our updates in one place. We will still make individual topics for significant news and major milestones, but having a topic like this is fun to read the buzz, see the comments, and generally look back on later on from a historical perspective.

Normally most car companies don't open up customer channels like this until a concept or the actual vehicle is shown about a year before production. Well, that isn't going to work for us. We want to take all of you along for the ride - a longer road trip so to speak - where we can tell some great stories, share major news and milestones, talk about the features and things you want to see, watch a few good movies, and genuinely get excited about our destination.

It is all about the road less traveled and the journey along the way. 🍻

Scouting Ahead!
Thanks for setting this up, @Jamie@ScoutMotors. I'm loving this!
 
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Scout Motors has appointed our first Cheif Design Officer...

Tysons, Virginia (May 30, 2023) – Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout Motors”) announced today that Chris Benjamin has joined the company as Chief Design Officer. With this appointment, Scout Motors accelerates the development of its all-purpose, all-electric truck and SUV, slated for production by the end of 2026. Benjamin will serve as the steward of the iconic Scout design, overseeing interior and exterior design, concept development, user experience, and overall integration of design and technology in Scout Motors products and experiences.

“Chris’ work is prolific. For nearly 25 years he’s brought to life vehicles that stand out on the road,” said Scout Motors CEO and President Scott Keogh. “His thumbprints are all over many of the most beloved off-road vehicles in the market today. I’m confident that Chris will build on that experience as he defines the next chapter of design for Scout and electric utility vehicles.”

After graduating from Detroit’s College for Creative Studies, Benjamin launched his automotive design career by joining the design team at Mercedes-Benz. In succeeding years, Benjamin pushed design and creativity at BMW, Volvo, and Stellantis, spending time in Europe and America. Most recently, Benjamin led interior design at Stellantis North America, including Jeep, Wagoneer, Chrysler, Dodge, and RAM.

“I’ve been fortunate in my career to shape many off-road focused products that appeal to a broad range of Americans,” said Benjamin. “Classic Scout vehicles have always exerted a magnetic pull on me. They created the archetype for the modern SUV in the ‘60s and proved that a daily driver could also be a weekend adventurer. My task now is to balance the iconic design language of the past with all of the innovative possibilities that electrification unlocks. With the base of inspiration that Scout offers, what we’re dreaming up will be beyond special.”

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I never realized the Race Terra was the 195 I4... that's badass.
 
Hello All,

South Carolina welcomes Scout motors to our wonderful state. I am a Business and Industry Liaison for the counties of Richland, Lexington, and Fairfield counties. We work to ensure all business have the support they need within the communities to ensure a long and prosperous partnership. We provide funding for On-The-Job Training (OJT) and Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) as well as many development programs for businesses within the Midlands. Please feel free to reach out so that we can assist in any needs your business has, including prior to ground breaking.


Thank you,

Brandon L Buchanan, MHA
Business & Industry Liaison
 
Scout Motors has appointed our first Cheif Design Officer...

Tysons, Virginia (May 30, 2023) – Scout Motors Inc. (“Scout Motors”) announced today that Chris Benjamin has joined the company as Chief Design Officer. With this appointment, Scout Motors accelerates the development of its all-purpose, all-electric truck and SUV, slated for production by the end of 2026. Benjamin will serve as the steward of the iconic Scout design, overseeing interior and exterior design, concept development, user experience, and overall integration of design and technology in Scout Motors products and experiences.

“Chris’ work is prolific. For nearly 25 years he’s brought to life vehicles that stand out on the road,” said Scout Motors CEO and President Scott Keogh. “His thumbprints are all over many of the most beloved off-road vehicles in the market today. I’m confident that Chris will build on that experience as he defines the next chapter of design for Scout and electric utility vehicles.”

After graduating from Detroit’s College for Creative Studies, Benjamin launched his automotive design career by joining the design team at Mercedes-Benz. In succeeding years, Benjamin pushed design and creativity at BMW, Volvo, and Stellantis, spending time in Europe and America. Most recently, Benjamin led interior design at Stellantis North America, including Jeep, Wagoneer, Chrysler, Dodge, and RAM.

“I’ve been fortunate in my career to shape many off-road focused products that appeal to a broad range of Americans,” said Benjamin. “Classic Scout vehicles have always exerted a magnetic pull on me. They created the archetype for the modern SUV in the ‘60s and proved that a daily driver could also be a weekend adventurer. My task now is to balance the iconic design language of the past with all of the innovative possibilities that electrification unlocks. With the base of inspiration that Scout offers, what we’re dreaming up will be beyond special.”

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Damn…he worked on Jeep, Wagoneer, Dodge?? All the vehicles I would not consider buying. I have high hopes for the modern Scout… so I hope he has a major paradigm shift in his design philosophy! Bro, I wish you all the best in your new role….don’t disappoint me! Don’t make me regret waiting four years and setting aside $50k USD only to go back to BMW or Audi!