Scout Motors Teases Electric SUV to be Launched in 2026

In May, the Volkswagen Group established a new company, Scout Motors, to design, develop, and manufacture electric off-roaders in the US, primarily for US customers.

Both SUVs and related pickup trucks are planned, with a launch date around 2026. On Monday, Scout released a teaser photo depicting the SUV concept. This joins an earlier teaser sketch provided at the time of the May announcement, showing the initial designs of the SUV and pickup.

The Scout's name comes from the International Harvester Scout built between 1961 and 1980; the rights to the Scout are owned by Navistar, a commercial truck company formed from International Harvester in the 1980s VW Group through Navistar, a commercial truck company formed from International Harvester in the 1980s.

Teaser material points out that the design is clearly influenced by the original Scout. The main targets will be the Rivian R1S and R1T electric SUV and pickup duo-like vehicles, as well as the upcoming Jeep Recon and expected electric Ford Bronco.

The only thing the VW Group has said about the vehicle is that it will ride on a new platform.

Scout also launched a Scout forum on Monday to keep existing and future Scout owners informed of the vehicle's progress and to provide a means to engage with the company, much as Ford did with the Bronco Nation forum.

Scout also said it plans to establish a Scout Registry aimed at maintaining a detailed list of classic Scout vehicles and helping to connect owners of those vehicles.

"The Scout enthusiast community has preserved the Scout legacy," Scott Keogh, CEO of Scout, said in a statement." We are excited to be a part of the community and look forward to fostering interaction and exchange as we rebuild this American icon."