Could rebirth of the Scout SUV happen in Indiana?
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Is it possible the announced reincarnation of the Scout brand sport utility vehicle will occur in Fort Wayne, where the original rugged vehicle was born in 1961 at the International Harvester plant? Automotive publication The Drive is reporting Scott Koegh, the incoming chief executive officer of Volkswagen’s Scout brand, visited the city last weekend during an International Harvester owners’ event.
In May, Volkswagen announced Koegh was stepping down as president and CEO for Volkswagen Group of America to become CEO of Volkswagen’s new all-electric truck brand, Scout. He starts September 1.
The publication says there’s an effort underway to recruit the German automaker to set up shop in Fort Wayne, where the original IH Scout was built from 1961 to 1980. IH operated for six decades in the city, employing tens of thousands of workers who built tractors, trucks and the Scout.
The Drive says Keogh spoke with Scout owners and former IH employees during his visit. He also had a sit-down with local officials.
“He met with the mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, the mayor of New Haven, the head of Greater Fort Wayne Inc., and Allen County commissioner Therese Brown,” said Ryan DuVall, the director of Harvester Homecoming.
VW acquired the rights to the Scout name in 2021 when its Traton truck unit was merged with Navistar, International’s parent company.
The company says it plans to manufacturer all-electric pickup trucks and the SUV Scout in the U.S. The company says it is exploring sites for a manufacturing plant.
The first prototypes of the EVs will be revealed in 2023 and production will begin in 2026. Volkswagen says by the end of the decade it aims to offer more than 25 battery electric vehicles to American consumers.
Click here to access the full article from The Drive.