As the global automotive industry rapidly shifts toward electrification, one American start-up is quietly-but confidently-making serious inroads into the off-road EV market: Scout Motors.
While the name may sound new to some, the Scout brand has deep roots. The original International Scout 80 was launched back in 1960 by International Harvester, an agricultural machinery company. Designed as a rugged, two-door utility truck with removable hardtops, the Scout lineup offered multiple configurations-full-length roofs, half-cab pickups, soft tops, and even a rare Scout 80 Campermobile.
Racing Pedigree in the Dirt
Scout wasn’t just about practicality-it also had grit. In 1977, the Scout SSII proved its mettle in off-road racing when Jerry Boone drove a near-stock SSII to a first-place finish in the 4×4 Production class at the Baja 1000. Boone completed the grueling 1,000 km desert course in 19 hours and 58 minutes, nearly two hours ahead of a Jeep CJ7. Remarkably, the team had only a month to prep and weren’t officially sponsored by IH until after the race.
In 1978, former World Off-Road Rally Champion Sherman Balch brought even more attention to the brand by piloting the Scout SSII to victory in the Baja 1000 and three other major events. By 1980, he and co-driver James Acker had dominated the East Coast off-road racing scene.
Despite its racing success and cult following, the Scout couldn’t lift International Harvester’s declining vehicle sales. By the end of 1980, production was halted, marking the end of what many consider America’s first true SUV-until now.
The Electric Revival: Scout Motors & Volkswagen
Fast forward to 2021, and the Scout nameplate was given a second life. The Volkswagen Group acquired the rights to the brand after purchasing Navistar (formerly International Motors) and announced bold plans to revive Scout as a dedicated electric off-road brand.
Heading up the revival is Scott Keogh, former CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, who now serves as the first President and CEO of Scout Motors Inc. His mission? Develop a new generation of rugged, off-road-capable electric SUVs and pickup trucks-vehicles that can stand toe-to-toe with the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Toyota 4Runner, but with a zero-emissions future in mind.
What’s Coming: Scout Traveler SUV & Scout Terra Truck
In 2024, MotorTrend reported significant progress on Scout’s electric vehicle lineup. In just three years, Scout Motors-while operating under the VW umbrella-has managed to maintain a surprising level of independence, setting its own course in the highly competitive EV space.
On a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, viewers got an exclusive look at the Scout Traveler SUV and the Scout Terra Truck, two electric prototypes set to launch in early 2027. Jay Leno sat down with Scott Keogh to discuss the design, development, and nostalgic inspiration behind the vehicles.
Watch: Jay Leno Previews the Scout EV Prototypes
According to Keogh, Scout isn’t just chasing trends-it’s aiming to build a global, off-road-focused EV brand with a loyal following and serious trail cred.
Will Scout Come to Australia?
That’s the million-dollar question. As Scout Motors eyes international expansion, there’s speculation that Australia-a market known for its off-road culture-could be in its sights. With a crowded SUV and 4×4 segment, a unique player like Scout could either disrupt or simply offer something refreshingly different.
After all, in an already crowded market, a little competition can’t hurt… right?
Final Thoughts
The return of Scout is more than just a brand revival-it’s the resurrection of a legacy, reimagined for an electric future. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the original International Scout or just curious about what’s next in off-road EVs, Scout Motors is definitely one to watch.
Read more: Electric Scout off-road SUV and Pickup updates – MotorTrend.com
