Volkswagen’s gone all-in with electrification, and its latest plans to revive the International Scout model line serve to show how serious it is about EVs. But, will VW’s Scout electrified resurrection work? It has the potential to be successful, or it could be a total dud.
For those who do not know, last week VW unexpectedly announced plans to revive the Scout brand by 2026, in the form of fully electric trucks and SUVs. VW hopes to sell more than 250,000 cars at some point, and the truck will ride on its own unique platform, made in new factories that will be built somewhere in the US.
On its face, it seems like a no-brainer for Volkswagen, right now most full electrification efforts have been focused around on-road oriented crossovers. There aren’t any choices for the buyer interested in a fully electric Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler type vehicle. If the forthcoming EV Scout keeps similar energy, it could be a huge hit on VW’s hands.
Yet, the Scout could flop too. Volkswagen’s MEB platform cars have had middling reviews. I’ve found that the VW ID.4 suffers from odd brakes and a deal-breakingly bad user experience. If VW ports those two terrible qualities to the EV Scout, then I could see the Scout’s potential for success, being hindered.
Then, there’s the vehicle’s price and potential market position. Volkswagen’s finally taken the wraps off the production model of its retro-styled ID Buzz minivan, but if European pricing for the van is anything like North American pricing, the ID Buzz won’t be cheap. The Bronco and Wrangler are fairly reasonably priced SUVs, I’m not sure if folks would be willing to pay luxury car prices for VW’s attempt at an EV Scout. The Scout was never meant to be a luxury car.
If the price is right, the experience is agreeable, and the vehicles deliver on performance and style, VW’s EV Scout revival could be a hit.
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