Volkswagen will introduce a new all-electric brand to the American market following its acquisition of the Scout name last year. Under the new Scout brand, Volkswagen is planning to launch a large SUV and pickup that will rival offerings from the likes of Rivian and Tesla. 

According to an official announcement by Volkswagen Group boss Herbert Diess, Scout vehicles will be designed, engineered, and manufactured in the US for American customers. The first prototypes are to be unveiled next year, and production is scheduled to start in 2026. The new models will be built on what Volkswagen describes as a ‘new platform concept’. This means the Group will have four all-electric platforms; the MEB platform that underpins most of the Volkswagen, Audi, ŠKODA and Cupra models, a new PPE platform that will provide the base for the next generation of Audi and Bentley models, and a J1 platform that currently underpins the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan.

Volkswagen sees the American pickup and SUV market as one of the biggest markets for electrification. Given the size of the vehicles, any European launch is unlikely at this point. However, given that both Rivian and Tesla are both planning to sell their large pickups in Europe, Volkswagen may be tempted to reconsider its original plan should rivals start to see strong demand. 

Read our Rivian R1T review [HERE]

Dyb dyb dyb. Volkswagen is targeting a 2024 launch date for its new US-only Scout sub-brand