Scout Motors Fires Back At Report Claiming Production Delay

It’s been a little over a year since the Volkswagen Group signaled its intention to address a major gap in its North American lineup: off-roaders. From day one, Scout Motors promised to begin production of the body-on-frame Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV in 2027. Visit the company’s website, and that pledge still stands, albeit with an important disclaimer:

‘Initial production targeted to start in 2027 based on current projections, and is subject to change. The anticipated production date is an estimate and may be affected by various factors. Actual availability may differ.’

A new report from reputable German newspaper Der Spiegel alleges Scout Motors is experiencing “technical problems” that could push the start of production to the summer of 2028. Insiders told the publication that “an earlier date is now considered purely speculative.” Contacted for comment, a Scout spokesperson declined to elaborate, saying only: “We currently have no update to our timeline or product plan to share.”

Separately, Jamie Vondruska, responsible for building the Scout Motors community, posted a formal response on the company’s dedicated forums. While production challenges haven’t been ruled out, the VW Group’s newest brand says it is making “good progress” on vehicle development, construction of the South Carolina factory, and the creation of its supplier network.

‘We are still moving full steam ahead, bringing Scout back to market. Everything is moving forward and making good progress. Much like the guy who is balancing spinning plates on sticks and running back and forth to keep them spinning to prevent them from falling, we are juggling a lot at once. New factory. New suppliers. Two completely new vehicles. Could there be potential delays? Of course. But I will let you all know as quickly as I can if there are any official changes or major announcements.’

It would be unrealistic to expect Scout Motors to reach its maximum annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles as early as 2027. The 1,100-acre Blythewood facility is entirely new, and so are the Terra and Traveler, as neither model is related to existing VW Group products.

Both the truck and SUV are still officially on track to enter production next year, with a starting price of under $60,000. Fully refundable $100 reservations remain available for both the pure electric and range-extending versions. The EVs are expected to deliver up to 350 miles of range on a single charge, while the EREVs will exceed 500 miles by using a gasoline engine as a generator to power the battery.

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Source: Scout Motors

Launching Scout Motors is a multi-billion-dollar undertaking for the Volkswagen Group, coming at a time when the company is pursuing significant cost reductions. Earlier this week, German business publication Manager Magazin reported that the automotive conglomerate is aiming to cut expenditures by 20 percent across its brands by the end of 2028.

Such a move would follow a previously announced plan to reduce the workforce in Germany by 35,000 employees by 2030. The new report also claims that additional plant closures have not been ruled out, following the recent shutdown of VW’s Dresden factory and Audi’s Brussels plant.

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Source: Scout Motors

Motor1’s Take: Scout Motors made it clear from the outset that the 2027 production target was an estimate rather than a firm deadline. The first vehicles could still reach the assembly line by late next year, but realistically, a full production ramp-up is more likely in 2028 or beyond.

The company’s latest statement should ease concerns that the Volkswagen Group is reconsidering Scout Motors’ launch. Building a new automaker from scratch takes time, and even amid broader cost-cutting efforts at its parent company, the revival of this iconic nameplate is still moving forward.