Volkswagen has made a big commitment to the U.S. market announcing it would build two new vehicles just for that market.
What’s really interesting though is that the vehicles will be sold under a new brand name, Scout.
Of course, Scout isn’t a name without a heritage – International Harvester used the Scout name back in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s on their rugged off-road vehicles.
The German auto giants overnight confirmed an all-electric pick-up and an SUV will be made in America, for Americans.
The news comes just weeks after Volkswagen confirmed the new-generation Volkswagen Amarok would pick up an electric powertrain option.
But this is a different vehicle, built on a completely different platform, and there will be no petrol or diesel options offered.
And, it won’t feature VW badges either.
Volkswagen tells us the SUV and pick-up truck will be designed, engineered, and manufactured in the U.S. by a separate, independent company that will be established in the U.S. this year.
That company will carry what they say is “the strong iconic U.S.-brand Scout”.
The first prototypes are to be unveiled next year, and production is scheduled to start in 2026.
“After Volkswagen’s successful turnaround in the U.S., we are now taking the opportunity to further strengthen our position in one of the most significant growth markets for EVs.” – Herbert Diess, CEO Volkswagen AG
“Electrification provides a historic opportunity to enter the highly attractive pick-up and R-SUV segment as a Group, underscoring our ambition to become a relevant player in the U.S. market.”
Volkswagen is on a mission to take a hefty 10 percent market share in the U.S. automotive industry in the coming years.
