The revival of the Scout brand by Volkswagen could take longer than initially planned, with the first vehicles expected to reach customers in 2028, according to Scott Keogh.
Speaking during a discussion with members of the Automotive Press Association in Detroit, Keogh suggested that customer deliveries would occur later than the previously anticipated 2027 timeline. “When do I see the cars in the hands of a physical customer? I see that sometime in 2028,” he said.
The statement indirectly confirms an earlier report by Der Spiegel that indicated production for Scout vehicles might not begin until summer 2028. Although Keogh did not directly address the start of series production, customer deliveries typically follow production launches.
“The first thing I don’t want to do is play the communication game of, ‘What exact day and what hour are you launching the car?’ when we’re doing something as ambitious as this,” Keogh said. “So the most important thing to me is one, we’re on course, and we’re on plan. Number two, put a killer product in the hands of a customer, that’s an absolute home run, without a doubt.”
Scout plans to build early prototypes at its new manufacturing facility in Blythewood, South Carolina, later this year. The site will produce the company’s first models, including the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup, which are being developed with both battery-electric and range-extender powertrains.
According to Keogh, Scout has already recorded about 160,000 reservations for the two vehicles. Of these, 87% are for range-extender variants, while 13% are for fully battery-electric versions. The battery-electric models are expected to offer a range of around 350 miles (563 km), while the range-extender versions could reach approximately 500 miles (805 km).
Reservations remain non-binding, requiring only a $100 refundable deposit, meaning customers can cancel and receive their money back. Keogh said reservation data suggests stronger interest in the Traveler SUV, which accounts for about 75% of reservations, compared with roughly 25% for the Terra pickup.
At the same time, Volkswagen faces potential legal challenges related to the Scout brand’s planned direct-sales model. According to reports cited by Reuters, two U.S. dealers have filed a lawsuit alleging that Volkswagen breached agreements with its dealership network by planning to sell Scout vehicles directly rather than through existing dealers. The case could potentially expand into a broader class action involving additional dealers.
