The Inside Story of Bringing the Scout Brand Back

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Volkswagen could not believe its good luck when it bought Navistar. That gave it the rights to the Scout brand. We were invited in to see the concept vehicles, learn the brand strategy and find out how they plan to bring Scout back to the market.
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[@yiorgos-theo]

Amazing vehicles!!! I drove one in the late 70's all over the mountains of East Tennessee testing water quality of streams deep in the woods where there were no roads, to check the effect of strip mines on water quality. It had a winch that proved very useful a few times I got stuck in snow. No cell phones back then, if the Scout broke down it would have been a very long walk. The Scout never betrayed me.

[@CollidingStar]

Excellent job John. Was a pleasure meeting you and being part of this.

[@tetchuma]

I’m so excited for Scout to return!! It definitely needs better rust-proofing than the old ones.

[@thegreeneyej]

I was just about to comment about better rust proofing.😂

[@joeyscleaninglady2877]

will be aluminum or composite... I don't think there is a single EV made out of steel

[@crisnevin7934]

They had a great rust warranty for the 1980 models!

[@tetchuma]

@@crisnevin7934 It was the 1961-1979 models that didn’t. Lol.

[@crisnevin7934]

@@tetchuma lol it's been a joke for years, they offered the warranty knowing they were shutting down and it wouldn't be honored

[@JohnPMiller]

Summary: A few VW employees left with the Scout name. They are partially funded by VW. They just have two clay models and two CG ads ready for the Super Bowl ($7M/30 secs). Their own research says they are wonderful. Note: My own research says that I'm even more wonderful!😂

[@protovack]

are you always this cynical? or just for special times like this.

[@cjonesplay1]

Exactly 😂

[@kevinbarry71]

Bringing back a brand that hardly anybody remembers, and if they do remember it as a simple, uncomfortable unpleasant vehicle

[@mxux]

Basically every truck had those attributes at that point in history

[@mxux]

And so you have done what?

[@bob808]

I hope Scout is a success. I also hope they don't use the crappy software & infotainment found in the current VW ID vehicles.

[@fuelon]

This is great. They described me as target market. I am in my 30s and actually bought a 65 scout several years ago. Kicking myself for letting it go of course, it was just too unreasonable for me and for what I wanted to put in it at the time.

[@kevinbarry71]

Imagine resigning from Volkswagen without being indicted.

[@Bobrogers99]

I bought an International Scout new. It had sat at the dealership for months because it was an ugly yellow and it had no options on it. I loved it! You couldn't get it stuck in snow in the winter, and I tackled the huge drifts along the highways with full confidence. It ran beautifully, but alas, it was the poster child for body rot, and eventually it wouldn't pass inspection without practically an entire body transplant. They don't make 'em like that anymore...

[@donswier]

Count me in. My 4th grade teacher in 1975 (a 40-something woman married to an Army officer) drove a basic model daily. She was as tough as a drill instructor (like her Scout), but was loved by all of us. I grew up with VW "Hippie busses," as you called them, but love both combustion & electric (preferably together, though). Exciting development.

[@ewbait]

Grew up with my dad daily driving his Scout II during the 2000s. We have a 64' Scout A now, but hopefully these can match the legacy.

[@protovack]

keeping it completely separate will enable them to escape the dealer network and sell direct to customers. it may succeed wildly if they keep costs down and don't try to make them into land rovers.

[@danharold3087]

I would like to reinforce what others have said. At least in one trim package the new scout needs to be very electronically and physically plain by today's EV standards. This will help keep the price down and keep it interesting. Put the money in the running gear.

[@mec7568]

Just to be clear, there would be no Bronco without the Scout coming to market five years prior.

[@renezr70]

Saturn anyone? A company that promised quality, reliable and affordable priced vehicles with a totally new concept and that will never go bankrupt! VW funding is a guarantee for disaster.

[@jamescaldwell5]

I remember hearing a rumor that VW was going to partner with Ford for some kind of truck project. Now that ford has announced the Electric Ranger, it seems like a. Slam dunk to have the scout be basically a restyled electric bronco. Starting from scratch takes too much time, there is not scaled cost benefits and every body panel comes off the boxy bronco with ease so restyling it would be so easy. IMO VW went too modern with the ev bus. (Round headlights could help a lot) The public reaction to the bronco proves how much everyone admires when a company doesn’t half ass a retro remake. (Ford also proved that with their early 2000s GT)

[@ernestdesimone2234]

The old Scouts were solid honest vehicles that were unfortunately discontinued just before the multi-decade SUV craze started. They were prone to body rot, and aftermarket fiberglass replacement bodies were purchased by some owners (perhaps some of those Scouts are still out there). The WWII Jeep turned civilian and went to work on farms. International Harvester made their own version of the Jeep concept and the Scout was born. The original Ford Bronco was a copy of the Scout. Those of us who remember the Scout miss it, and it was probably those people who saw the illustrations and clay mockups and got excited. But this new Scout will be an EV, and that will be a show-stopper right there for a lot of the loyal old fans. They are not going to take an EV out in the middle of nowhere and get stuck. So it will probably get some market share, and mostly live as a mall cruiser, but I think the hard core folks who still want to off-road will avoid it. Maybe VW is targeting 2026 not only because they have to now actually figure out how to produce what they are promising, but also because they hope that by 2026 more people will accept the idea of an an off-road EV.

[@sak1339]

Thanks! This is great information. I wasn't aware VW was backing this venture. It's a great business move. I first came across Scout about 40 years ago in East Texas where an engineer friend owned an old one: it seemed like a great (old!0 rugged SUV before SUVs became a hot item. And great off road.

[@People-Business-And-Ideas]

This speaks to how successful the Jeep brand has been over the last 10/yrs!

[@chuckgrenci6404]

While the idea is laudable, mostly what I'm seeing is a long up-hill battle late in the game. Who knows what it is going to be like in four years (which I believe is what was reported as its predicted offering). And while there is a fanatical (in a good way) following, I don't think there will be numbers enough, needed to succeed as a new car company. If the effort is worthy, what I see as a plausible vehicle to gain traction, would be another established company handling Scout (you know, kind of how International Harvester did in the 'way-back').

[@frankcoffey]

Let me guess. There will be very cool looking prototypes (like with the buzz) but by the time it gets to market it will be ugly and undesirable. The folks who ruined the Buzz should be "offered early retirement" to get rid of them. While you're at it fire the person who decided to put the cheaper charger in the Porsche Taycan.

[@mec7568]

If they are serious about emulating American innovation, hard work and IHC history, this new Scout could be unveiled at two sites simultaneously. One at the original Ft. Wayne plant and the other at Cyrus McCormick's workshop /VT research farm in Rockbridge/Augusta County Virginia. At the Virginia site, they could be shown at work around the farm; and off road demonstrations could be made up the nearby Blue Ridge mountains.

[@17forever64]

Scout will be built in South Carolina! Oh yeah!

[@tetchuma]

It needs to have plug and play accessories!!! User upgradable hardware!!! More user customization for the infotainment!!!

[@Harrythehun]

If VW is involved, will be a software fiasco!

[@technologyandsociety21C]

Shameless PR promotion. How much were you paid?

[@kevinbarry71]

If They can build this thing without using any Volkswagen parts, and not using the Volkswagen design and engineering philosophy, it might work

[@robertpsotka3525]

Keep it simple and don't Germanize it

[@RS-sl5ko]

If it’s electric I am not interested. If it gas or diesel powered I am a buyer.

[@godofdun]

I really love the idea and hope it succeeds, especially the truck version.

[@soundworks52]

The success of the Cupra brand after years of getting no traction with the SEAT brand has emboldened VAG to try new things and this just might work. If they can build it on an MEB platform in an existing factory in the North American trade area it will find buyers and dealers without exposing VAT to too much risk.

[@caiolimacaldas]

Would Volkswagen make and build a medium-duty truck along with international ?

[@tompuckett9937]

Why the hell would anyone want an electric 4X4????????????? How are you going to charge it in the middle of nowhere after crawling over rocks, sand, up and down mountains, thru rivers, and drive out to the highway to head home????????????? I’d buy one if it was in hybrid form. I’d driven Scouts and International 4X4 pickups in the 60’s 70’s up to 1980, and they were remarkable heavy duty vehicles. If these came in a gas version they would put Jeep and Bronco out of business!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bidon5037]

For a new company, their products will necessarily be top trim, like Rivian.

[@GotScout]

A thought... the VW THING relaunched as a 4x4 offroad platform. You're welcome...

[@the_jarmel]

❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏 LOVE THESE SATURDAY VIDEOS ...🙏🙏🙏 HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY EVERYONE...HAPPY SATURDAY ✌️

[@williams6756]

INTERNATIONAL SCOUT WAS THE FIRST SUV MADE

[@richardloewenhagen3818]

Well said!

[@donedwards6414]

It is an interesting concept. But I want to comment on John's reports. I really look forward to his Saturday reports. John is THE quintessential automobile industry journalist. Please, John, keep them coming.

[@Pernection]

Why not buyout Lordstown?

[@georgeandres1053]

I’ve hade 3 Scout’s and 1 IH pickup over the years and I would have been in line at the dealership to buy one until……… electric. No thanks EV’s have their place, and that place is not in a Scout.

[@mesothelioma5024]

People are gonna want to take these off roading, they’d be better off putting a diesel or a gas motor option in there

[@kevinbarry71]

You say they are entrepreneurs? Exactly what percentage of the company do they own?

[@PU238Wave]

I'm gonna be pissed if they bring back the Farmall A as an electric!

[@GotScout]

Using ID Buzz and Rivian as comparable benchmarks shows this guy is absolutely not a Scout guy... urghhhh.

[@keving4304]

The name appeals towards older buyers/like me who remember the Scout name and what the vehicles looked like. That’s where it ends. Small demographic, and 100% electric = failure.

[@DaBooster]

Oh my god they had to give up their company issued laptops? !!!!!😂 I hope Scout succeeds, i’d consider buying one as long as it didn’t have the VW software

[@NoName-ml5yk]

So it's just a big rip off of the International Harvester Scout by Volkswagen driven by marketing data. I'm going to throw up now.

[@jerryhubbard4461]

you must be kin to Elizebeth Warren with all that head movement while talking.

[@mcgavin098]

Lexus GX470 is dominating the dependable 4X4 market. Electric Scout is just some kind of joke. They're trying to capitalize on a once great name. That's it.

[@Christoph1888]

This seemed like an add

[@andreiionescu205]

IT probably is

[@danharold3087]

Given the little info out there and the little that can be released what else can it be?

[@levyoliver5363]

Id' prefer to have a Nissan Scout instead....🎉😂❤

[@ferp420]

all electric 4x4s are a really bad idea and if its not a convertable its not a scout i have 4 tops for my scout a terra top the stock top a camper with a built in roof top tent and a bikini top thats part of what make a scout a scout

[@VietnamEli]

How much did VW pay for this ad?

[@GA-wq8xq]

Don`t be rude.

[@bobbbobb4663]

Not the first time. Autoline never fully discloses the relationship of guests i.e Shaeffler on AAH last week

[@manuelfilipe3721]

10 people are dead in Ireland oil industry to blame 😭. (not electric cars)

[@cesartrujillo4190]

Winner takes all. Good old Herb set this up. Now what?

[@fredmeda1582]

Buts it's ELECTRIC and just can't do what the original SCOUTS could do

[@montanaosprey9840]

Any bets on this “toy” for the rich being under $100,000 +? Remember, it’s top heavy with 7 ex-VW execs, who’ve left VW without their health insurance and 401Ks!

[@RPRosen-ki2fk]

Talk is cheap, start reporting when customers can purchase one.

[@JamaicanMeCrazy]

Bring First is cool 🥇 😎

[@JohnPMiller]

It's even better to be first in class or first in a race, but not as bad as being first to be drafted for military service. Still, I'm happy for you!👍

[@JamaicanMeCrazy]

@@JohnPMiller respect 👊🏽

[@xanderunderwoods3363]

I love this channel and all your videos, but this is not a real IH Scout. All electric is useless in the wilderness. These are nothing like the original Scout. This is just a glorified electric G Wagon. EV Scout is not a sentence anyone in farm country can respect an its a disrespect to the original brand. I deeply love the International brand, and this just seems wrong. The poeple who love Scout will not buy these. They seem totally out of touch with reality.

[@montanaosprey9840]

Commentary back to VW executive leader from the remaining 2 of 7 in Scout in 5 years (and, maybe, in only 3 years): ”Ja, mein Fuhrer, mistakes vere made!” ROFL

[@IdahoIsaiah67]

VW making a scout is an abomination.

[@marcusdumitru]

I have never heard of a Scout truck until last week when VW stirred the marketing machine for this woke approach to an apparently good old agricultural pickup truck that was appreciated by the working guy to get the job done. Now, the study VW says they've done is based on fond memories of people that would clearly NOT use or appreciate this new one, and VW has the woke nerve to already excuse their predicted failure by blaming the political views of the agricultural people that would need an agricultural truck that VW clearly doesn't want to provide, but instead, they are making a toy out of if. They need to explain environmentalism to the public in order to like their idea? I predict failure. It will be another one of those old purposeful vehicles transformed into a caricature that no one needs! LR Defender? Renault 5 EV? Clearly the target public they have asked doesn't know much about Rivian, because they are not an EV crowd, but serious working people that care about what it works out there in the fields, with the cows, hey, fences. They rely on F150s, Tacomas or Silverados, V8s and diesel tractors. They are the last guys where the electrical infrastructure for EVs will reach...

[@billschultz7459]

Too bad it's electric.

[@rightlanehog3151]

John, They would be better off selling the Scout name to a car company that knows what it is doing with 4X4s.

[@oldguy2082]

The field that the Scout might take part in is pretty crowded, there already a lot of players in mid range to luxury field... to make an impact, they ought to return to basic idea of the iH Scout; inexpensive with a lot of ways for owners to customize it. The Ford Maverick is successful because it follows that idea. Inexpensive to buy, yet, allows the owner flexibility to customize it without spending a fortune.

[@desobrien3827]

It will still be a Volkwagon...That is the pity of it all..Not Homegrown Yankee...Call me negative if you like...

[@davidmccarthy6061]

We'll see if they can execute it well. This won't be like Ford reviving the Bronco.

[@charlespapineau5428]

Just remember that sticking a Scout emblem on it doesn't make it a real Scout. You'll have something much more complex and very different from those great machines we remember so fondly. Remember that there are no charging stations out in the great oudoors yet. And what will they cost? Should be interesting when EVs flood the market in 24, 25 and 26.

[@brnscofrnld]

Price these right with a good range and they'll sell. Stay away from the premium market and go rugged.

[@vehiclenanny]

I really like where this seems to be heading. VW seems to be doing with Scout what GM declined to do with Blazer. Big loss for GM. I'm rooting for the new Scout team.

[@davidgrisco1939]

I'd rather see entrepreneurs work on the supply chain issues. A 5 year old Honda BCM - body control module is presently "unobtainium." Fix that before launching another brand/model.

[@KTPurdy]

I've always loved the Scout's design. So glad that it's coming back.

[@montanaosprey9840]

It’s really not coming back. They’re, at least metaphorically, just stealing the name!

[@KTPurdy]

@@montanaosprey9840 we don't know how close the design and design cues will be until we see it.

[@maverick-zj3jz]

It's not political. It economic and infrastructures . 95% of Americans can afford high repair bills, high insurance ,high tire prices.

[@d.p.9567]

Back story is that people don’t like BEVs so they dust off iconic emotional designs as sugar coating.

[@johnschubarth2000]

These should be built in Canada. Near where the original ones were built

[@sebastianschmidt36]

Great Video!!

[@brittennz]

If you ask me, they shall let Rivian built the trucks for them shearing Rivian platforms, it will be beneficial to both companies. One stem further they shall offer Rivian to tap in to VW supply chain also for Rivian own vehicles. The other option is to use Bollinger platform if it is design for mass produce (notbsure they r still alive)

[@lewiswithrow1936]

I loved my Scout. Please, when you can, share with us details about batteries, motors, and software.

[@bextar6365]

I remember seeing Scouts in the Chicago area back in the day, the winter road salt that was used would cause them to rot badly in only a few years ...

[@allencrider]

It's just a name.

[@stevekubica6281]

IH Canada in Chatham where I live built the Scout and Travelall for several years along with medium and heavy duty trucks. Hopefully the reborn Scout will have as much success as Triumph Motorcycle has since it re-launched in 1990.

[@creamy9000]

I will wait to pass judgement on the final product, but i can only hope that it remains affordable, and doesn't get too tech heavy. the last thing the market needs imo is another $70,000+ luxury suv/pickup, we really need affordable vehicles that normal people have the means and want to buy

[@jermainec2462]

I was born in 88 and I never even heard of the brand so it'd be interesting to see how things turn out for them

[@rondail5675]

I like the idea of a Scout EV. Please price it for volume sales not rich driveways.

[@EM.1.]

I hope to see a 2 door SUV.

[@xray111xxx]

You can't ever go back. It was too much loved in the past. What you have to do is make it new that didn't just lean on the old. I grew up around Scouts, CJs,Broncos, late 60s Blazer K5s. Primitive live axle V8 billygoat go anywhere anytime with anyone. What was your adventure? This one has to kindle new adventures, and not just live on the name. Remember these have to tow too. The toys. ATVs like maybe a side by side, jetski and much more. Handle all the gear. It just can't be a fashion leaning on heritage. It has to be the real thing. I get the tech thing and all but the true limitations of electric is electric itself. Where do I charge up in the middle of nowhere? Solar, a generator? We have to get more serious here about infrastructure for the off beaten path, and that will be a challenge. We barely have it in metropolitan and suburbia. The Chinese murder us there. Scout could do well out there too? So me? Sure I am all in, but if you can't develop the ecosystem for what Scout truly means, it would be an electric poser that would never get dirty and be fun because its limits. The above legacy ones I grew up with were spontaneous adventures. Get in turn the key, got our fishing gear and maybe an ATV, let's go! The Scout won't quite be like Jeep or Bronco today. Or even tomorrow. Figure okay 2026 this becomes a reality, do you think our infrastructure will there by then? I don't. That is why this vehicle can't succeed unless it has that adventure mold and spontaneity built in. Uh we can't go because we can't find where to charge it. Says how far we have yet to go.