The year 2026 is poised to be a groundbreaking year for electric vehicles (EVs), with several carmakers gearing up to launch new EVs built on dedicated platforms. Among these developments, 2026 will also witness the revival of Scout Motors, an iconic American truck brand resurrected by parent company Volkswagen Group last year.
Scout Motors had previously announced plans to introduce an electric pickup truck and an SUV. The brand recently revealed on its website that the official unveiling is scheduled for late summer 2024. These two EVs are being developed from the ground up on dedicated platforms, setting them apart from other VW Group EVs.
Designed with American preferences in mind, these vehicles will cater to the market’s affinity for large, rugged SUVs and trucks while also paying homage to the brand’s heritage from the 1960s to the 1980s, when it was a part of heavy equipment manufacturer International Harvester.
Following a period of poor sales and low profits in the 1980s, International Harvester sold its agricultural division to Case Corporation, which later became Navistar. In 2021, Navistar was acquired by the commercial vehicle manufacturer Traton, subsequently becoming a part of the VW Group.
With the acquisition of the Scout trademark, VW Group is investing approximately $2 billion to construct a plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, specifically for producing U.S.-focused Scout EVs.
As competition intensifies in the electric SUV and pickup segments, Scout Motors aims to differentiate its models by offering physical buttons, a departure from the trend of integrating vehicle functions and entertainment features into large screens. Scout’s President and CEO, Scott Keogh, emphasized this approach during the groundbreaking event, highlighting the brand’s focus on delivering a more practical and user-friendly experience, particularly for off-road enthusiasts.
Despite limited details currently available about the Scout EVs, the brand has been actively recruiting engineers since last year. Hundreds of engineers are now working from the new Scout Innovation Center in Novi, Michigan, dedicated to bringing these exciting new EVs to fruition.
