One of the most iconic German companies is set to begin production on a revamped all-electric version of the iconic American Scout. Originally produced by International Harvester out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Scout (and all of its variants) was one of the first SUVs ever produced—and a precursor to the popularity that all SUVs have today. Designed to compete with the relatively small segment of the market that was cornered by Jeep, the idea for the Scout was very nearly scrapped before they ever even really got them off of the ground.
“Something to Replace the Horse”: The Scout’s Origins
Though SUVs and trucks now make up 80% of new cars sold in the US these days, back in 1958 the 4×4 market was pretty much nonexistent. Nevertheless, the design team at International Harvester was directed to come up with something that would act as competition for the Jeep CJ, which was a bare-bones 4×4 that looks a lot like what you would see on M*A*S*H reruns. It was also pretty much the only other option on the market. One of the main directives given from the top brass for the Scout was to “design something to replace the horse.” After years of back and forth, and very nearly having the whole project scrapped, the original Scout was finally produced in 1960.
Though it may not exactly have replaced the horse, the Scout was a workhorse. A 4×4 of angles, it was designed to work hard and play hard. Whether you were camping on the weekend, hauling your gear to a worksite, or going over some treacherous terrain, it was ready for anything. It was incredibly adaptable and inherently practical—though not overly aerodynamic. Its many iterations were produced for 20 years and were an iconic sight on American roads in the 60s and 70s and beyond.
VW’s Nostalgia Factor: A Scout for a New Millennium
With the incredible interest that people both in the US and Europe have shown for VW’s revamped Type 2 microbus, the ID.Buzz, it’s no wonder that VW snapped up the rights to the equally nostalgic Scout name. Volkswagen acquired the Scout name in 2021 when they purchased Navistar—the corporate entity formerly known as International Harvester.
And knowing the Scout’s undoubtedly American fanbase, the new VW produced Scout will probably be exclusive to the US market. VW is planning on building a $2 billion dollar plant in Blythewood, South Carolina to produce the revamped Scouts, which are to be exclusively on an all-electric platform. Though the specifics are still few and far between, they are set for release in 2026. When you look at the incredible work VW did on revamping the Type 2, there is no doubt that the Scout will be also be a stylish mix of modern design with retro flair. A modern Scout remake will be something to see, and frankly, we can’t wait.
