Volkswagen is aiming to make a significant impact in the emerging electric pickup truck market in the United States. As part of its plan, the carmaker acquired the Scout brand through a merger in 2020 and will utilize it to develop “true American” electric SUVs and pickup trucks.
To further bolster its efforts, Volkswagen is building a new factory in the US dedicated solely to producing Scout brand vehicles, as per a recent report. While it was initially believed that the carmaker would outsource manufacturing to companies such as Foxconn or Magna, “business circles” now claim that Volkswagen is taking matters into its own hands.
See also: Volkswagen in talks with Foxconn to build Scout electric pickup truck
This development highlights Volkswagen’s commitment to making Scout a successful enterprise. The factory will commence production in 2026, with the first two Scout-branded vehicles being an electric pickup truck and a sturdy SUV. It is also possible that the new Volkswagen factory may produce Audi vehicles as well.
Scout CEO Scott Keogh, who was previously the head of VW’s North American business, was appointed to his position in July last year. The original Scout was a 1960s off-roader designed to rival Jeep in the US. In November, Volkswagen released a silhouette of the upcoming Scout truck, which has piqued the interest of many industry observers.
See also: New teaser images show Volkswagen’s Scout new electric off-roader
By establishing its own factory, Volkswagen is demonstrating its commitment to the electric vehicle market and its ambitions to be a major player in the sector. The success of Scout brand vehicles will be closely watched by industry analysts, and Volkswagen’s bold move will likely prompt other carmakers to reassess their own electric vehicle strategies.
