VW Tapping Magna to Develop Its First Two Scout EVs in the U.S.
Volkswagen made big news when it announced a revival of the iconic American Scout name, and the automaker promised to build electric vehicles under the brand at a facility in South Carolina beginning in 2026. Automotive News Europe recently reported that to help rebuild the brand, VW plans to outsource production to Magna Steyr, a powerhouse automotive supplier that builds the G-Class for Mercedes and the Ocean for Fisker.
The automaker’s order adds up to $492 million, or 450 million euros to develop and produce the vehicles. Though VW hasn’t detailed which models Magna will be responsible for, it has already noted a $40,000 electric SUV and a pickup as its first two models, so they seem like the most logical starting point.
Scout is also ramping up hiring as it wades through the frantic development and growth period ahead of production. The automaker has several open roles in Detroit, primarily for design and engineering positions, but there are plenty of tech and logistics roles in California and South Carolina.
Volkswagen acquired the Scout name in 2020 when it bought Navistar. The Scout name was used on a range of vehicles over nearly two decades and became a legend synonymous with hardcore, old-school off-roading. The vehicles are highly sought-after today, commanding a premium on the classic market. It’s unclear how VW will approach that legacy, but it has promised to retain the attitude and feel that people love about Scouts.
[Image: VW/Scout]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
More by Chris Teague
Comments
Join the conversation
Toyota is being quite the doormouse lately.
The last GM auto I owned was an 83 El Camino. The Detroit auto theft industry disappeared it in 2001. A neighbor saw it in Detroit and noted the time and place he saw it and the license plate then on it. The Detroit police declined to do more.
My son already has a Scout EV. Well, okay, RC....
When VW purchased IH, it got both the Scout and Travelall trade names.
Just to upset Greta, VW needs to develop a V8 Travelall for the US market; it has several V8's in its portfolio.
It would go toe to toe with the Escalade's, Suburbans, and Expositions.