What 16 Metro's Will Scout Launch?

[J Alynn]

Another way to look at correlation for "potential locations" would be by EV sales, SUV/Truck sales and the existing density of DCFC and other charging infrastructure that exists today. Some of this infrastructure is representative of the tail wagging the dog, or the requirement for infrastructure to follow strong EV sales.

Looking more specifically just at EV Truck sales (for example), Scout could follow the money and charger infrastructure, which will at least ensure they target top markets that are more saturated with (theoretically) some of the most likely buyers to help ensure positive lift-off. Initial sales numbers will boost confidence and propel more sales, so I'm guessing Scout's strategy team is working hard to determine priority and the best places to stake their claim to get the flywheel spinning quickly.

To piggy-back off existing data (as 1 data point for EV Truck density) you can look at where Rivian RAN chargers now exist in the wild... Where ever you see 3 lightening bolts on the map below, you now have a Rivian DCFC RAN Charger.

Here in wee-little New England, for example, we now have SIX Rivian DCFC stations that funnel into I-95 corridor, heading down the East Coast. The length of the West Coast is covered, connecting the most densely populated cities, then running into Southwest, followed by some pockets like CO, TX, and the Great Lakes region:

View attachment 4184

While this thinking hurts the Midwest I think you are probably on the right track at the initial start up phase. Momentum is the biggest key to vehicle and housing sales. I guess SM will eventually announce. Typical permitting time with zoning is typically 6-9 months then build time of at least 6 months if not 9 months based on the architectural dealer renders they have shown. That means they should be starting land purchasing now. Time for everyone to start sleuthing land sales assuming they fall under a SM LLC and not another name to conceal their efforts

 

[R1TVT]

Typical permitting time with zoning is typically 6-9 months then build time of at least 6 months if not 9 months based on the architectural dealer renders they have shown.

Did you say "dealer"?

 

[chucchinchilla]

My guess:
1. Los Angeles
2. SF Bay Area
3. San Diego
4. Seattle
5. Portland
6. Denver
7. Austin
8. DFW
9. Houston
10. Chicago
11. New York
12. Boston
13. Phoenix
14. Washington DC
15. Miami
16. Atlanta

Note Scout said 16 metro areas but didn't say how many stores. I would expect major metro areas like LA, SF, NYC, Chicago to have multiple locations.

 

[J Alynn]

Did you say "dealer"?

PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE forgive my antiquated language. But you know what I meant
A SM coffee bar and lounge set as a farce to get my wife in the front door when I’m due for my second new Scout!

 

[Stryder1475]

I should be sitting okay as I’m in Charlotte, NC area so only an hour or so from the factory. Definitely, will do the factory pickup option!!

 

[Bodie]

My best guess at the first 16.

1. Seattle
2. Portland
3. San Fran
4. LA
5. San Diego
6. Boise
7. SLC
8. Phoenix
9. Denver
10. Dallas
11. Houston
12. Chicagoish
13. Somewhere PA
14. Somewhere NY
15. Baltimore/Washington area
16. Miami

Id stick Atlanta, Tampa and San Antonio here somewhere but not sure what I'd take out, I'm not that smart. This gets you exposure in 9/10 highest EV take rates (minus Hawaii), and puts like 10% of the population within an hour

I hope San Antonio makes the list but if I’m honest, Austin seems a better fit for EVs and it’s not too far.

 

[R1TVT]

My guess:
1. Los Angeles
2. SF Bay Area
3. San Diego
4. Seattle
5. Portland
6. Denver
7. Austin
8. DFW
9. Houston
10. Chicago
11. New York
12. Boston
13. Phoenix
14. Washington DC
15. Miami
16. Atlanta

Note Scout said 16 metro areas but didn't say how many stores. I would expect major metro areas like LA, SF, NYC, Chicago to have multiple locations.

Ironic that South Carolina is not on the list, but maybe Scout will help change that by the time the production starts rolling... Rivian does have a Service Center in Normal, at their factory, so that could eventually happen. I would guess that Charleston would be the first choice if Scout can help evolve Draconian dealer laws.

 

[LastDayScout]

Ironic that South Carolina is not on the list, but maybe Scout will help change that by the time the production starts rolling... Rivian does have a Service Center in Normal, at their factory, so that could eventually happen. I would guess that Charleston would be the first choice if Scout can help evolve Draconian dealer laws.

Their first center will be on the factory grounds. So, Blythewood (greater Columbia) will probably cover SC. But, as a Charlestonian, I will selfishly hope for some set of presence here. A local Ford dealer just finished their Bronco store or whatever they call it. Scout could do better.

 

[J Alynn]

My guess:
1. Los Angeles
2. SF Bay Area
3. San Diego
4. Seattle
5. Portland
6. Denver
7. Austin
8. DFW
9. Houston
10. Chicago
11. New York
12. Boston
13. Phoenix
14. Washington DC
15. Miami
16. Atlanta

Note Scout said 16 metro areas but didn't say how many stores. I would expect major metro areas like LA, SF, NYC, Chicago to have multiple locations.

I’m not sure they will have multiples. While they don’t have to make them exclusive from a pricing standpoint they can make them more desirable by limiting them. They also mention something like being within 45 minutes for service or beyond that is at your home service. 45 minutes covers a large area in many places. Also thinking College Station in TX is nearly center of all three major cities so they could take that approach and centralize. Even NY/NJ could potentially only have like two if they find the right locations.
I’m now hoping for Lancaster PA because we are 2-3 hours from Philly, Baltimore, NY,NY and most of Delaware. That’s a pipe dream I could stand to see happen

 

[J Alynn]

Their first center will be on the factory grounds. So, Blythewood (greater Columbia) will probably cover SC. But, as a Charlestonian, I will selfishly hope for some set of presence here. A local Ford dealer just finished their Bronco store or whatever they call it. Scout could do better.

I thought they scrapped the Bronco store concept. Interesting?
As long as as they come to my house or workplace I’m cool. I still plan to do factory delivery so long as it’s available. My experience going from PA to SC to do the BMW delivery experience was very memorable so hoping SM does even better. Happy to host those on site events if you want to hire me @Jamie@ScoutMotors

 

[J Alynn]

Nothing has been announced thus far. They have said factory delivery will be an option so what better way! Get yourself there, take a factory tour, take delivery then run the off road course on property then start your epic road trip home. Thats my plan and looking forward to that memory

Hope they have a car wash and charger there as well . Also good way to test the cabana top before driving “off the lot”

 

[chucchinchilla]

Ironic that South Carolina is not on the list, but maybe Scout will help change that by the time the production starts rolling... Rivian does have a Service Center in Normal, at their factory, so that could eventually happen. I would guess that Charleston would be the first choice if Scout can help evolve Draconian dealer laws.

Good point. I know they're planning a factory delivery center so I guess you could count that one as well.

 

[chucchinchilla]

I’m not sure they will have multiples. While they don’t have to make them exclusive from a pricing standpoint they can make them more desirable by limiting them. They also mention something like being within 45 minutes for service or beyond that is at your home service. 45 minutes covers a large area in many places. Also thinking College Station in TX is nearly center of all three major cities so they could take that approach and centralize. Even NY/NJ could potentially only have like two if they find the right locations.
I’m now hoping for Lancaster PA because we are 2-3 hours from Philly, Baltimore, NY,NY and most of Delaware. That’s a pipe dream I could stand to see happen

Texas is a huge car market that loves SUVs/Trucks so Scout needs to have good presence there. College Station is 3h from DFW so that's a no go however I do agree they could split the difference between San Antonio and Austin by dropping a store halfway in maybe San Marcos or something.

 

[J Alynn]

Texas is a huge car market that loves SUVs/Trucks so Scout needs to have good presence there. College Station is 3h from DFW so that's a no go however I do agree they could split the difference between San Antonio and Austin by dropping a store halfway in maybe San Marcos or something.

I hear you. That said I’m south central PA and closest Rivian dealer to me is Brooklyn NY which is roughly 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Just depends on where SM feels best locations are to cover proper demographics

 

[dleepnw]

Another way to look at correlation for "potential locations" would be by EV sales, SUV/Truck sales and the existing density of DCFC and other charging infrastructure that exists today. Some of this infrastructure is representative of the tail wagging the dog, or the requirement for infrastructure to follow strong EV sales.

Looking more specifically just at EV Truck sales (for example), Scout could follow the money and charger infrastructure, which will at least ensure they target top markets that are more saturated with (theoretically) some of the most likely buyers to help ensure positive lift-off. Initial sales numbers will boost confidence and propel more sales, so I'm guessing Scout's strategy team is working hard to determine priority and the best places to stake their claim to get the flywheel spinning quickly.

To piggy-back off existing data (as 1 data point for EV Truck density) you can look at where Rivian RAN chargers now exist in the wild... Where ever you see 3 lightening bolts on the map below, you now have a Rivian DCFC RAN Charger.

Here in wee-little New England, for example, we now have SIX Rivian DCFC stations that funnel into I-95 corridor, heading down the East Coast. The length of the West Coast is covered, connecting the most densely populated cities, then running into Southwest, followed by some pockets like CO, TX, and the Great Lakes region:

View attachment 4184

Yup, I was thinking the same thing.

 

[HKsMike]

I hope they do the factory delivery option too. Would be great to get all the perks of on-site pickup and then document (YouTube, FaceBook, etc) the road trip home.

 

[rfk]

Ew. I hope not signed a Maryland resident who hates to go to DC much less across the river.

I added to my post - "possibly alongside 267 Dulles toll road." So you'd have that going for you.

 

[AR Sailor]

It was announced during the reveal that Scout will launch in 16 metros. I know all of us across America have put in a deposit for a reservation but depending on where we live, we may or may not be in part of the first batch of deliveries and may have to wait. Similar thing happened with Rivian. Does anyone know what those starting 16 metros are? I'm sure we can all guess the top 5 but wondering what the next 11 will be and if Seattle will make the cut.

If you're thinking you'll just go to the factory and pickup, you might want to think again. Rivian had a similar option but limited to folks within a certain distance of the factory (with some exceptions). They also limited deliveries overall to folks outside a certain distance to a service center. Its possible Scout will launch with a similar approach. Just trying to keep expectations real. If you live in a remote area, chances are you'll need to wait longer even if you reserved on day one.

 

[AR Sailor]

Why Metros? Scout is a rugged country vehicle and eggs are cheaper in the country I mean this a little tongue in cheek, but rural offices in close proximity to a metro area, an airport, and Scout county would be nice.

 

[Chuckles]

I’m not sure they will have multiples. While they don’t have to make them exclusive from a pricing standpoint they can make them more desirable by limiting them. They also mention something like being within 45 minutes for service or beyond that is at your home service. 45 minutes covers a large area in many places. Also thinking College Station in TX is nearly center of all three major cities so they could take that approach and centralize. Even NY/NJ could potentially only have like two if they find the right locations.
I’m now hoping for Lancaster PA because we are 2-3 hours from Philly, Baltimore, NY,NY and most of Delaware. That’s a pipe dream I could stand to see happen

25 locations in 16 metros was Scout's original claim.