Scout Motors

Scout Motors Inc. is an American automotive startup company. Founded in 2022, it is backed by German manufacturer Volkswagen Group and a member of the Volkswagen Group companies. Volkswagen AG obtained the Scout brand after acquiring American truck manufacturer International Motors (previously Navistar) in 2021.

Scout Motors was established to produce off-road capable electric vehicles. It is a U.S.-based operation and independent company, managed separately from Volkswagen AG with its own executive team and board members. The company does not have an official headquarters, but has operations located in South Carolina, Michigan, Virginia, and California.

History

The Scout brand was conceptualized in 1959 by International Harvester. Production on the first Scout vehicles began in December 1960, with the first Scout vehicle sold as a 1961 model year called the Scout 80. The off-road, "8-day-a-week": International Scout vehicles, were produced from 1961 to 1980.

In September 2021, a report by MotorTrend revealed that Volkswagen AG may look to revive the Scout nameplate as a potential competitor to the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and then newly revived Ford Bronco. On May 11, 2022, Volkswagen AG approved plans to form a new, independent company dedicated designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing electric vehicles in the United States. Scott Keogh, previously President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Inc. became the first CEO of Scout Motors, Inc.

On October 24, 2024, Scout Motors debuted two new vehicle concepts: the Scout® Traveler SUV and Scout® Terra truck during its national reveal event just outside Nashville, Tennessee. The event brought together Scout enthusiasts, automotive historians, and industry and media professionals. Attendees were greeted by a display of International Harvest Scout vehicles, including the first and last production Scout vehicles.  

During the event, Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh presented the company’s vision for the brand’s future, focusing on its legacy of exploration and community. The event included the unveiling of the new Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra truck concepts and the announcement of a “Harvester” range extended concept that uses a small gasoline engine for generating usable electricity in the vehicle.

Scout Motors also declared it will sell directly to customers and service vehicles itself, following the model adopted by competitors Tesla, Rivian and Polestar, rather than use a franchise dealer network. As Scout Motors does not, and has never had, franchise dealers, it is not bound by the franchise dealer system and can maintain a direct, customer-centric relationship with Scout vehicle owners. The National Automobile Dealers Association responded that it would challenge this decision using legal and political means, and filed a lawsuit on February 3, 2025, alleging violations of state law.

On November 12, 2024, Scout Motors announced it would utilize
new zonal architecture
built by the Volkswagen Group-Rivian joint venture (Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC) in their vehicles to complement their Scout Community UX, i.e. interface system.

In January 2025, Scout Motors made its first major trade show appearance at CES 2025 in Las Vegas.

Facilities

Production Center

On March 3, 2023, Scout Motors announced plans to build a $2 billion factory capable of producing 200,000 vehicles a year in Blythewood, South Carolina. The factory is targeted to employ more than 4,000 people and it will manufacture the Scout Motor's first two vehicles: the Scout Traveler™ SUV and Scout Terra truck that are scheduled to launch in late 2027.

In May 2025, Richland County was fined $3 million dollars for violating state pollution rules at the under-construction Scout Motors site in Blythewood. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources claims the land is being cleared too rapidly resulting in excessive sediment pollution to nearby wetlands. If the county addresses the issues by set deadlines, the fine could be reduced to $1 million.

While the Production Center is under construction, the company’s Production, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams call the temporary BullStreet District office home in Columbia, South Carolina.

Innovation Center

In December 2023, Scout Motors announced it would open its first R&D facility in Novi, Michigan sometime in 2024. The Scout Motors Innovation Center is now fully operational and home to the growing Product, Design, and Engineering teams and members of cross-functional support teams.

Offices

The Scout Motors Corporate Office in Fremont, California, is home to the Growth, Software Engineering, and User Experience teams.

The Scout Motors Corporate Office in Tysons, Virginia, is the current home to its corporate functions, including Legal, People, and Finance teams.

Models

Scout Motors debuted two concepts on October 24, 2024, one of which is the Terra, a pickup truck, and the other is the Traveler, an SUV. They are expected to release in late 2027 as a 2028 model. Reservations are currently available in the United States and Canada.

References

External links

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{{Volkswagen Group

Volkswagen Group
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2022
Car brands
Battery electric vehicle manufacturers
Electric vehicle manufacturers of the United States
American companies established in 2022