If you were waiting for a Volkswagen brand pickup truck in the US, you might want to start looking for alternatives. VW confirmed a pickup truck is not in the plans for the US. However, a new electric pickup from its off-road Scout brand is still set to debut.
Expand Expanding Close
Infant electric truck brand Scout Motors is expanding its US footprint, announcing plans for a new “Innovation Center” in Michigan that will become home to its R&D, design, and engineering, creating hundreds of new jobs in the area.
Expand Expanding Close
The new rugged Scout brand from Volkswagen remains on track to debut its electric pickup and SUV next year. VW Scout CEO Scott Keogh says the designs are upwards of 95% complete.
Expand Expanding Close
The re-emergence of Scout Motors in the electric era just became significantly more interesting. On Tuesday, Scout revealed it hired Chris Benjamin, a key Stellantis designer who crafted the interior style of some of the latest Jeep and Ram models, to lead the design of its rugged, all-purpose electric truck and SUV.
Expand Expanding Close
Adventure seekers, buckle up. A new off-road electric pickup and SUV brand is coming to the US. Volkswagen is planning to build an entirely new plant for its recently acquired Scout EV brand, according to the German newspaper Automobilwoche.
Expand Expanding Close
Following an announcement in May that it would be reviving its off-road Scout brand for an all-electric future, Volkswagen is reportedly in talks with contract manufacturer Foxconn to help manufacture the vehicles. Additionally, VW is considering Magna Steyr as another notable option.
Expand Expanding Close
As more and more all-electric pickup trucks make their way to the US market, those consumers holding out for a Volkswagen branded model may need to let go and look elsewhere. According to Volkswagen’s new global head of passenger cars, an electric pickup truck is not a priority at the moment, despite comments from the German automaker’s newly appointed head of North America validating such desires.
Expand Expanding Close
The game of musical CEO chairs continues on at Volkswagen Group as yet another executive is leaving their current post to lead a different marque. Current president and CEO for Volkswagen Group of America Scott Keogh announced he is stepping down after nearly five years to become CEO of Volkswagen’s new all-electric truck brand, Scout.
Expand Expanding Close
VW’s advisory board is expected to approve a proposal tomorrow to spin off a new EV company centered around off-road vehicles, as reported by the Wall Street Journal and TechCrunch.
The company will resurrect the classic nameplate from the International Harvester Scout, a Jeep-like off-road vehicle from the ’60s and ’70s, and fill a similar niche as the Rivian R1T as an electric competitor to off-road enthusiast trucks like the Ford Raptor, Jeep Gladiator, and the like, but at a lower price point than the Rivian.
Expand Expanding Close