Warranty work with the Scout?

[04Ram2500Hemi]

So maybe I’m putting the cart before the horse here, but I have a question regarding warranty. Every new vehicle I’ve had has needed some sort of warranty work. With Scout not having dealerships, what happens when something breaks? When something needs addressed on my Ram or Chevy, I just make an appointment at the local dealership. With Scout this is a little different, especially with the plan to not have dealerships. Maybe this has already been addressed and I missed it, but I’m just curious about our options. Not every fix can be an over the air update.

 

[J Alynn]

So maybe I’m putting the cart before the horse here, but I have a question regarding warranty. Every new vehicle I’ve had has needed some sort of warranty work. With Scout not having dealerships, what happens when something breaks? When something needs addressed on my Ram or Chevy, I just make an appointment at the local dealership. With Scout this is a little different, especially with the plan to not have dealerships. Maybe this has already been addressed and I missed it, but I’m just curious about our options. Not every fix can be an over the air update.

Since the majority of problems on ICE are the mechanical ones repairs are GREATLY reduced on EVs. SM plans on having design showrooms/service buildings throughout the country. I believe what was said at the reveal was if you were within 45-60 minutes of a service center and need service the vehicle would go to the center. Not sure if you take it or they bring loaner and swap-that wasn’t fully covered. If you are more than an hour away it was implied mobile service would come to you home since majority of issues are simple adjustments.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

As much as I am all-in on EVs, I'm certain there will be warranty work and recalls. All new model and first generation vehicles I have owned or have experience with have had issues that required warranties and recalls to fix.

My (probably vain) hope is that Scout will create a system for independent shops, mechanics, and technicians to get training and certification to perform warranty (and all other) repairs. It would cost them a lot less to provide that to a few thousand shops around the country than to build a few dozen centers. Perhaps they could do both.

 

[Scoutsie]

As much as I am all-in on EVs, I'm certain there will be warranty work and recalls. All new model and first generation vehicles I have owned or have experience with have had issues that required warranties and recalls to fix.

My (probably vain) hope is that Scout will create a system for independent shops, mechanics, and technicians to get training and certification to perform warranty (and all other) repairs. It would cost them a lot less to provide that to a few thousand shops around the country than to build a few dozen centers. Perhaps they could do both.

I thought that the plan was to do mobile repairs when possible and when not possible, you’d bring them in. Where “in” is seems to be up in the air. For warranty work, I’m sure they’ll figure something out that makes sense.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I thought that the plan was to do mobile repairs when possible and when not possible, you’d bring them in. Where “in” is seems to be up in the air. For warranty work, I’m sure they’ll figure something out that makes sense.

That was my understanding as well. I think Scout could do better than that, though and could potentially simultaneously garner a much larger following than any other EV manufacturer by offering free training and certification to non-dealer shops. The local independent mechanic is being left out in the cold by the dealership model and the elitism of EV repairs, IMO. Reducing some of the FUD by inviting them to participate in training and certification (and the subsequent warranty repair payments) would be a huge coup.

 

[ohvrider]

I think they will do repairs like Rivian? So a mobile reapair van will come or a tow truck if major?

 

[SlipperyGary]

With any luck, we will be able to repair them at Volkswagen dealerships.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

This is actually a big topic for me as well because I know with 100% certainty the closest Scout repair facility would be built 3 or more hours from me. If I get lucky it’ll only be 3 hours away…if they pick a different metropolitan area to plop the closest facility, it could be a lot worse. Even a couple of minor warranty repairs being needed in the first year for example would easily become a huge inconvenience for my family and cost me $ because of travel time and time away from work. If they don’t offer loaners, it’s an even bigger deal. It’s something I keep revisiting in the back of my mind because it could become a big issue for me if the Scout isn’t a rock solid vehicle from the get-go.

 

[cyure]

This is actually a big topic for me as well because I know with 100% certainty the closest Scout repair facility would be built 3 or more hours from me. If I get lucky it’ll only be 3 hours away…if they pick a different metropolitan area to plop the closest facility, it could be a lot worse. Even a couple of minor warranty repairs being needed in the first year for example would easily become a huge inconvenience for my family and cost me $ because of travel time and time away from work. If they don’t offer loaners, it’s an even bigger deal. It’s something I keep revisiting in the back of my mind because it could become a big issue for me if the Scout isn’t a rock solid vehicle from the get-go.

I’m just assuming there will be something in Chicago. It just makes sense. So that’s 2-ish hours from me. I keep thinking since they are using Rivian zonal architecture it would be great if Rivian service centers could also service a Scout. Wishful thinking I know, but it’s an idea. And the Rivian factory is 20 minutes from my house. Just saying.

 

[R1TVT]

And lest we forget: https://community.scoutmotors.com/t...ont-do-the-tesla-model.2555/page-2#post-38628

 

[BeerParty]

With any luck, we will be able to repair them at Volkswagen dealerships.

VW dealers being able to repair a Scout Motors vehicle is not likely at all. Considering the way the VW dealers have been acting (https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a63667883/volkswagen-audi-dealers-scout-motors-lawsuit/) I doubt that Scout motors would ever support VW dealers servicing a Scout. I certainly will avoid visiting a VW dealer unless absolutely necessary.

 

[BeerParty]

So maybe I’m putting the cart before the horse here, but I have a question regarding warranty. Every new vehicle I’ve had has needed some sort of warranty work. With Scout not having dealerships, what happens when something breaks? When something needs addressed on my Ram or Chevy, I just make an appointment at the local dealership. With Scout this is a little different, especially with the plan to not have dealerships. Maybe this has already been addressed and I missed it, but I’m just curious about our options. Not every fix can be an over the air update.

This is from the Scout presentation:

Article with all the slides: https://www.theautopian.com/heres-s...t-plans-to-sell-and-fix-cars-without-dealers/

 

[chucchinchilla]

Guys, Scout is going to have stores and service centers, they just won't be "dealerships" aka 3rd party companies like AutoNation.

So what does a manufacturer owned store/service center look like? Well funny enough I was in San Francisco today and stumbled upon a Rivian store & service center so let's talk about it. The facility was super cool and unlike any "car dealership" I've ever seen before. Super casual sales people and a vibe that was extremely low key. Would love to see Scout do something similar. Posting some pics from the interschnitzel so you guys see what I mean..

Moving onto service, here's what they've got...IMO this feels like "level 1" kind of stuff given the small footprint...

...however they probably feed into this larger facility in South San Francisco that handles a ton more work.

Again, Scout will more than likely do something similar aka stores, mobile support, combined store&service center, and big dedicated service centers.

 

[cyure]

Guys, Scout is going to have stores and service centers, they just won't be "dealerships" aka 3rd party companies like AutoNation.

So what does a manufacturer owned store/service center look like? Well funny enough I was in San Francisco today and stumbled upon a Rivian store & service center so let's talk about it. The facility was super cool and unlike any "car dealership" I've ever seen before. Super casual sales people and a vibe that was extremely low key. Would love to see Scout do something similar. Posting some pics from the interschnitzel so you guys see what I mean..
View attachment 11517
View attachment 11518
View attachment 11519
View attachment 11522

Moving onto service, here's what they've got...IMO this feels like "level 1" kind of stuff given the small footprint...
View attachment 11521
...however they probably feed into this larger facility in South San Francisco that handles a ton more work.
View attachment 11523
Again, Scout will more than likely do something similar aka stores, mobile support, combined store&service center, and big dedicated service centers.

I also think it would be cool if SM followed what Rivian is doing with their leftover materials. They are using the leftover seat material and making the furniture for their Rivian Spaces centers.

 

[J Alynn]

VW dealers being able to repair a Scout Motors vehicle is not likely at all. Considering the way the VW dealers have been acting (https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a63667883/volkswagen-audi-dealers-scout-motors-lawsuit/) I doubt that Scout motors would ever support VW dealers servicing a Scout. I certainly will avoid visiting a VW dealer unless absolutely necessary.

Yeah-I don’t see VW getting any slice of anything from Scout. They don’t want to sell EVs and they sued the hand that feeds them-will never happen. They’d be better off selling through Ducati

 

[J Alynn]

Guys, Scout is going to have stores and service centers, they just won't be "dealerships" aka 3rd party companies like AutoNation.

So what does a manufacturer owned store/service center look like? Well funny enough I was in San Francisco today and stumbled upon a Rivian store & service center so let's talk about it. The facility was super cool and unlike any "car dealership" I've ever seen before. Super casual sales people and a vibe that was extremely low key. Would love to see Scout do something similar. Posting some pics from the interschnitzel so you guys see what I mean..
View attachment 11517
View attachment 11518
View attachment 11519
View attachment 11522

Moving onto service, here's what they've got...IMO this feels like "level 1" kind of stuff given the small footprint...
View attachment 11521
...however they probably feed into this larger facility in South San Francisco that handles a ton more work.
View attachment 11523
Again, Scout will more than likely do something similar aka stores, mobile support, combined store&service center, and big dedicated service centers.

Very cool and what a great approach

 

[THil08]

Guys, Scout is going to have stores and service centers, they just won't be "dealerships" aka 3rd party companies like AutoNation.

So what does a manufacturer owned store/service center look like? Well funny enough I was in San Francisco today and stumbled upon a Rivian store & service center so let's talk about it. The facility was super cool and unlike any "car dealership" I've ever seen before. Super casual sales people and a vibe that was extremely low key. Would love to see Scout do something similar. Posting some pics from the interschnitzel so you guys see what I mean..
View attachment 11517
View attachment 11518
View attachment 11519
View attachment 11522

Moving onto service, here's what they've got...IMO this feels like "level 1" kind of stuff given the small footprint...
View attachment 11521
...however they probably feed into this larger facility in South San Francisco that handles a ton more work.
View attachment 11523
Again, Scout will more than likely do something similar aka stores, mobile support, combined store&service center, and big dedicated service centers.

My only issue is Rivian is too modern. I imagine Scout Studios to be rustic, barn like interiors. Open concept service area, where you can watch your scout being worked on.

 

[J Alynn]

My only issue is Rivian is too modern. I imagine Scout Studios to be rustic, barn like interiors. Open concept service area, where you can watch your scout being worked on.

I could see that. My aesthetic as a designer is Rivian but a modern meets rustic (I think of Nordic architecture) feel would also be great. I’m more of the vintage meets old Route 66, 2-bay brick service garage aesthetic. To the point I wish they would just buy up those old mom and pop service centers, thrown on a neon Scout logo and replace the old overhead doors with large modern storefront glass doors. Vintage meets EV meets modern spin.

 

[J Alynn]

It’s quick, it’s not exact but this is the feel I’d like to see I asked for the Scout logo but gets the point across

 

[chucchinchilla]

A reminder that Scout shared this image which shows what they're going for.