International Scout to return as VW Group's EV truck brand (???)

Every now and then I read a headline that makes me wonder if I'm experiencing some kind of medical episode, because I can't comprehend the series of words arranged in front of me.

This was one of those times.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a39970134/volkswagen-scout-ev-revival/

How VW ended up being associated with International Harvester is still confusing as heck to me, but if any company were to resurrect the automotive side of IH I cannot think of anyone better.

They have done a great job of growing a variety of auto brands from several countries spanning a massive swath of price points. They are also pretty masterful at taking the same basic set of Legos and building things that appear differentiated: Audi R8 and. Lamborghini Gallardo. Audi TT, New Beetle, and VW Touran (small van) share a common starting point, but certainly don't get cross shopped very often.

They also keep trying to make it big in the USA, and until now have not done what Toyota and Nissan were willing to do, build American style trucks in America. That now also includes electric, where the preconceived notions of the  formula for success are lesser and more malleable than for ICE vehicles. If it can tow, get dirty, go over stuff, play country on the stereo, and get up and go in a straight line I bet it will  sell just fine. 

I.... Don't have words. I suppose why not? This year is a disappointment anyway. I know I yell at the electric clouds a lot, what with their infor-ento-tainerment systems and their big fobs jabbing me in my bits when I sit, but seeing this combination of words just makes it feel more real that the future is a Jetsons bubbly tune over an electric whine and wondering if you rewound the extension cord. I think I've had enough internet for the night. 

In reply to BAMF :

VW owns Traton which acquired Navistar last year. Navistar was created when IH went under in the 80s. So there you are clear as mud and how VW owns the Scout brand.

I own and work in the former International Harvester Ohio HQ, it's all been redone under my family's watch into nice offices that we rent out. I would absolutely love to own a modern IH but not one that has a triple square fastener where a hex would have worked.

It's the perfect union.

To be authentic there will have to be a large "check engine" light that is constantly illuminated and the body will need to be made of paper mache so that the deterioration can replicate the originals.

And of course, you will need a VAG tool to do anything (except turn off that CE light).

Oh, and don't forget the "service mode" where you remove 1/4 of the bodywork to access the mechanical bits.

Yup, this is a GREAT idea.

VW bringing IH back as an ev truck brand is the ultimate brodzer automotive trolling ever.

Looking at those concept sketches, and with Rivian stock currently on the clearance rack, makes you think that VW would be smart just to snatch them up and then hunt for supply chain synergies instead of building an entirely new platform itself.

I am having flash backs to my childhood and my mother's Scout II. This will be nothing like that, but I approve none the less.

Looks like an interesting candidate for future Ls swaps 

OMG, a brand known for shorting out the electrics in a mild shower teaming up with the king of check engine lights.  It's a marriage made in Hades.  

pointofdeparture said:

Every now and then I read a headline that makes me wonder if I'm experiencing some kind of medical episode, because I can't comprehend the series of words arranged in front of me.

This was one of those times.

I'm right with you. Of all the people to bring back the Scout, I never would have guessed VW.

But Minis have been BMWs covered in Union Jacks for 20 years, so why the hell not?

Do they always have to do a crew cab shortbed thingie?

pointofdeparture said:

Looking at those concept sketches, and with Rivian stock currently on the clearance rack, makes you think that VW would be smart just to snatch them up and then hunt for supply chain synergies instead of building an entirely new platform itself.

Really, the only difference is the cornbinder kink on the C pillar.  

"Scout" will be the best name for a VW in a long time. 

Rons said:

In reply to BAMF :

VW owns Traton which acquired Navistar last year. Navistar was created when IH went under in the 80s. So there you are clear as mud and how VW owns the Scout brand.

Thanks sir - I didn't know that Navistar and IH were familial.  Appreciate that explanation.

Keith Tanner said:

pointofdeparture said:

Every now and then I read a headline that makes me wonder if I'm experiencing some kind of medical episode, because I can't comprehend the series of words arranged in front of me.

This was one of those times.

I'm right with you. Of all the people to bring back the Scout, I never would have guessed VW.

But Minis have been BMWs covered in Union Jacks for 20 years, so why the hell not?

Yeah. The same company that makes Fiat 500s also used to make the Chrysler New Yorker Brougham, now. So, WTHN.

Tangentially related, I keep waiting for the awful trend of increasingly tiny greenhouses to reverse course. Gah. Pretty soon they'll just be rectangular prisms with gunslits housing a hundred cameras. 

The more the merrier as far as I'm concerned. I can only imagine what that check engine light will look like.