scout ceo were on course but vehicles to now launch in 2028 NOVI, Mich. – Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh said its vehicles will be in the "hands of consumers" in 2028, a touch off its original promise of 2027, but said the brand remains on track and there's no significant technical delays. "There's a lot of noise on this thing. The most important thing to me is … we're on course and we're on plan," Keogh said. Scout originally showed concepts of its two highly anticipated products, the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck in 2024 and offered the 2027 timeline. Production will still begin in 2027, meaning any potential delay is likely a matter of months. Test prototypes will be on the road this year. "We are basically doing exactly that," Keogh said Wednesday at an Automotive Press Association event at the Scout Innovation facility in suburban Detroit. Scout is owned by Volkswagen but plans to function as a separate entity. In response to the report last month in the German media that Scout's products were delayed by a technical issue, Keogh countered: "There are hurdles every minute of every day. There's no defining technical challenge [of] ‘oh my god this can't be solved.'" "This is quite normal, in my mind." News of a potential delay rocketed around the car world, as Scout's truck and SUV are among the most hotly anticipated new products coming later this decade, and it has taken 160,000 reservations so far. The company is employing a direct sales model and has faced lawsuits from Volkswagen dealers irked by Scout's plan to sell straight to consumers. 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross SE: All the Details scout ceo were on course but vehicles to now launch in 2028 While originally an all-electric brand, Scout now plans to offer an extended-range electric powertrain with up to 500 miles of total range and 150 miles on pure electricity, as well as an all-electric model. Reservations are skewing 87 percent toward the EREV version, while 75 percent are taking the Traveler SUV with 25 percent opting for the Terra truck. In the future, Scout said future products could include a derivative of the SUV and perhaps another model in a smaller segment, but didn't elaborate. Scout is hoping to capitalize on the so-called " Carhartt boom" of consumers seeking old-school workwear for their daily life. Scouts will be body-on-frame with solid rear axles covered by slightly retro styling. Unlike future competitor Rivian, Scouts will have knobs and buttons in the cabin. Scout's powertrain will have up to 1,000 lb-ft of torque and be able to hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. "I think we have a great proposition: Old school meets new school," Keogh said. The vehicles will be able to accommodate 35-inch tires and off-board 240-volts of electricity, powering campsites, tailgates and other adventures Scout owners might undertake. Scout's $2 billion factory in South Carolina is on track, Keogh said, with robots being installed. A $300-million supplier park sits next door, where batteries and accessories are assembled. The CEO said the war in Iran has not impacted the factory's ramp up. VW revived the Scout plan in 2022 as an all-EV brand, though the electric market has cooled in the face of geopolitical headwinds. Volkswagen, meanwhile, has invested in all-electric vehicle maker Rivian, providing a much-needed capital infusion in return for Rivian's software technology. Scouts were originally produced by International Harvester from the 1960 to 1980 and remain highly sought after by collectors, sitting in the pantheon of the Ford Bronco, Toyota Land Cruiser and early Jeeps. 2026 Jeep Cherokee: All the Details
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