Volkswagen Scout Electric SUVs To Launch Soon In The US: What We Know So Far

America’s classic Scout pickups and SUVs are set to roar again. Not literally, as they won’t come with V8 engines under the hood, but an electric motor. Volkswagen has announced that it will be reviving the Scout brand and will introduce two 4WD electric vehicles under the brand name.

You may have seen the classic Scout pickups and SUVs in some Hollywood flicks. They were produced by the American car manufacturer International Harvester between 1960 and 1980. Volkswagen has also released sketches of the electric vehicles, which retain the design language of the original Scout vehicles. 

What To Expect From Volkswagen’s Scout Brand

VW acquired the Scout brand last year, as it was retired by its manufacturer, International Harvester, back in 1980. The Scout brand will be a separate entity produced in Scout’s new factories in the US. This is probably done to market them as pure US-bred vehicles. Furthermore, Volkswagen says that these electric cars won’t be built on its MEB platform, which underpins the current crop of VW EVs. Instead, VW will be developing a “new technical platform concept” for these rugged pickups and electric SUVs. 

Volkswagen will be introducing the Scout EVs by 2026. The brand has shared sketches of one pickup and an SUV. They look boxy with flat sides, flared wheel arches, and an upright stance to provide a powerful road presence and off-roading capabilities. The rear window kink is reminiscent of the original 1960 Scout vehicles. 

Volkswagen aims to achieve a 10 percent market share of the SUV and pickup truck categories in North America. The Scout vehicles will be pitted against Hummer EV and Rivian R1T. With the Jeep Wrangler’s and Ford Bronco’s EV avatars also expected to arrive by 2024, VW’s Scout is set to face some stiff competition in the category.