Scouts Return in 2028: VW Delays Truck-and-SUV Brand Launch

The Scout emblem carries significant importance for numerous American 4x4 fans. Initially introduced by the company International on a rugged SUV manufactured in Indiana between 1961 and 1980, the original manufacturer has since disappeared from the automotive industry—but Volkswagen, the brand's present owner, has been hinting at an exciting resurgence of the Scout nameplate since 2022. That being said, potential customers might need to wait a bit longer than expected to acquire the brand's new pickup truck and SUV, according toa new report from a German newspaperDer Spiegel.

As per the report, the Volkswagen-owned brand will not be making its way to the U.S. at the originally planned time. The launch of the Scout brand began with images of enigmatic shapes and an official model announcement in 2024, yet it has always stayed consistent. However,Der Spiegel states that the official production start date, which was originally scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027 and recently set for the latter year on the automaker's website, has been delayed to the summer of 2028, partly because of challenges in technology development and stringent budget reductions.

Scout has already pledged to provide battery-electric power, either with or without range-extending internal combustion options, for its SUV and pickup truck models—and it's the creation of the gasoline-powered range extender that is reportedly causing the delay, along with software forthe EREV-style powerplantreportedly experiencing an extended development period. The German newspaper claims this is because of a problem withVolkswagen's partnership with Rivian, which has ultimately compelled the German automaker's internal software development team to take action. Volkswagen and Rivian's agreement only addressed the creation of electric architecture, according to the report, leading Volkswagen to create its own software for the EREV version. Additionally, integrating a small gasoline engine in the back of its Terra truck and Traveler SUV is presenting more challenges than anticipated for Scout's engineering team, according toDer Spiegel.

Volkswagen Group's chief executive, Oliver Blume, is reportedly implementing strict financial restrictions, including a 20% reduction in expenses throughout the company., and the resurgence of Scout has reportedly become a major issue for him, owing to its $3 billion initial expense. Although construction of its advanced South Carolina plant is already in progress, Volkswagen is said to believe that funds are more critically required elsewhere, with Volkswagen officials allegedly worried that the Scout facility will not generate actual revenue until a year later than originally expected.

Likewise, Volkswagen executives are concerned that the Scout brand's relative newness and its electric pickup truck models could put them at a disadvantage compared to rivals like Ford and Chevrolet. Although Blume's predecessor, Herbert Diess, supported the Scout initiative before leaving in 2022, the current leadership appears more doubtful about the strategy. Nevertheless, Volkswagen is likely too committed to the Scout revival to halt it now—partly because of the $1.3 billion in public subsidies from South Carolina promised to the automaker. Naturally, the current political environment regarding electric vehicles in the U.S. introduces additional pressure, as President Donald Trump hasremoved federal electric vehicle tax creditsand discouraged the development of electric vehicle charging and manufacturing facilities.

Scout initially projected a maximum output of 250,000 domestically made units from its South Carolina plant, but this could change as well. Navigating tariff issues has prompted the VW Group to explore new manufacturing locations for brands such as Audi; consequently, the South Carolina facility, originally planned solely for the truck-and-SUV brand, is now under consideration for other purposes.Production of Audi models in the United States, further complicating the future of Scout's production.

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