R2 Launch Watch

[speedrye]

How about the entry level being "Trail Head" and the top of the line being "Summit"?

I'd prefer no special names at all, just Terra and Traveler with whatever boxes checked for options. Save the names for special editions with little updates after initial sales slow down as the next model cycle approaches. Really lean in to the heritage with those special edition names!

 

[Jasco]

Lots of recent vehicles come to mind. Ford Maverick & Bronco, Toyota LandCruiser, most all Teslas, Rivian, Lucid, etc. You're definitely right though, launching the expensive vehicles first pisses people off and in my eyes is no different than dealers slapping on "market adjustments".

15-20 years ago, when I bought the first vehicles of a new model/brand, I preordered what I want and got what I want (trim level, options, packages, etc), nothing more, nothing less, no markups. I don't know why this is so complicated. People say the DTC sales model is great, but this whole launch model/pricing reeks of scummy dealership tactics that you see with the aforementioned Fords and Toyota.

As far as pricing and Scout finishes, they've gotta be competitive to stay alive. If I can get a new 4WD 4Runner or Tundra for $43k, I expect a lot of value and features out of a $60k Traveler/Terra.

I agree and my post was meant to be primarily about public perception towards a large price differential between announced and delivered. The R2's announced price of $45k and their delivered price $57,500 (without destination - apples to apples) is close enough ($12,500) with the bells and whistles added to avoid the public outcry and we have seen exactly that result. People were actually pleasantly surprised by the pricing. When the price differential jumps $25k, I believe people will be less forgiving. Percentages mask the actual price differentials. That jump prices many people out of the vehicle. The jump from $45 to $57K not as much. We've seen this happen before time and again. The other issue here is that Scout has been showing a fully kitted vehicle for several years while touting a $60k price point. It will be difficult to shift the public's perception of pricing/value if launched at $25k more. As I said in my previous post there certainly could be value at $85k and I hope Scout finds a market in that price range, but it certainly will not be large numbers. I'd rather they choose a launch trim in a similar manner to Rivian so we can all be pleasantly surprised. I'm not knocking Scout's approach here. I'm just pointing out that something they probably already know.

 

[speedrye]

I agree and my post was meant to be primarily about public perception towards a large price differential between announced and delivered. The R2's announced price of $45k and their delivered price $57,500 (without destination - apples to apples) is close enough ($12,500) with the bells and whistles added to avoid the public outcry and we have seen exactly that result. People were actually pleasantly surprised by the pricing. When the price differential jumps $25k, I believe people will be less forgiving. Percentages mask the actual price differentials. That jump prices many people out of the vehicle. The jump from $45 to $57K not as much. We've seen this happen before time and again. The other issue here is that Scout has been showing a fully kitted vehicle for several years while touting a $60k price point. It will be difficult to shift the public's perception of pricing/value if launched at $25k more. As I said in my previous post there certainly could be value at $85k and I hope Scout finds a market in that price range, but it certainly will not be large numbers. I'd rather they choose a launch trim in a similar manner to Rivian so we can all be pleasantly surprised. I'm not knocking Scout's approach here. I'm just pointing out that something they probably already know.

I'm still thinking they'll avoid higher price points so they don't step on the Audi version's toes. We need a name for the Audi version. I'm voting for Scaudi.

 

[Logan]

I agree and my post was meant to be primarily about public perception towards a large price differential between announced and delivered. The R2's announced price of $45k and their delivered price $57,500 (without destination - apples to apples) is close enough ($12,500) with the bells and whistles added to avoid the public outcry and we have seen exactly that result. People were actually pleasantly surprised by the pricing. When the price differential jumps $25k, I believe people will be less forgiving. Percentages mask the actual price differentials. That jump prices many people out of the vehicle. The jump from $45 to $57K not as much. We've seen this happen before time and again. The other issue here is that Scout has been showing a fully kitted vehicle for several years while touting a $60k price point. It will be difficult to shift the public's perception of pricing/value if launched at $25k more. As I said in my previous post there certainly could be value at $85k and I hope Scout finds a market in that price range, but it certainly will not be large numbers. I'd rather they choose a launch trim in a similar manner to Rivian so we can all be pleasantly surprised. I'm not knocking Scout's approach here. I'm just pointing out that something they probably already know.

I don’t know.

$12500 is still a lot of money. And in terms of percentage, it’s 27% over the $45k announced price.

That same percentage applied to a $60k scout puts us over $76k.

 

[Jasco]

I don’t know.

$12500 is still a lot of money. And in terms of percentage, it’s 27% over the $45k announced price.

That same percentage applied to a $60k scout puts us over $76k.

This is exactly the challenge Scout is facing. I hope they can pull off the launch without a majority of their fan base feeling dissappointed by pricing. For now I'm persoanlly channeling @cyure - Hope and faith and rooting for Scout at the same time. Great product, great people.

 

[cyure]

How about the entry level being "Trail Head" and the top of the line being "Summit"?

Now I have an idea….

 

[R1TVT]

I'm still thinking they'll avoid higher price points so they don't step on the Audi version's toes. We need a name for the Audi version. I'm voting for Scaudi.

What Audi version?

 

[Logan]

What Audi version?

Rumors are that Audi will be building an offroading vehicle based on the Scout Platform, built at the same plant.

I don't think I've heard anything confirmed. But I wouldn't be surprised. Audi doesn't have a G wagon equivalent. And the US overlanding/fancy offroading market is definitely there. And they've never had a platform available to them in the past.

 

[cyure]

What Audi version?

Exactly. So you mean an off road Audi? Because I don’t see the high end trim of the Scout looking anything like an Audi.

 

[chucchinchilla]

Just to be clear, you guys are aware Rivian is launching the $45K R2 right? Or is the argument about them holding back on base models until much later? That one I can understand and agree with.

IMO it's been hugely beneficial for Scout to enter the market slightly later allowing them time to pivot/adjust to changing market conditions. One of those things, I believe, is price sensitivity. I believe if Scout is to launch successfully they should kick the max profits via max trims first to the curb and focus on volume, get the cars out there even the base ones.

 

[cyure]

Just to be clear, you guys are aware Rivian is launching the $45K R2 right? Or is the argument about them holding back on base models until much later? That one I can understand and agree with.

IMO it's been hugely beneficial for Scout to enter the market slightly later allowing them time to pivot/adjust to changing market conditions. One of those things, I believe, is price sensitivity. I believe if Scout is to launch successfully they should kick the max profits via max trims first to the curb and focus on volume, get the cars out there even the base ones.

I hope there isn’t such a long time between trims. The R2 is what 9 months or a year until the $45K trim is available. I’m hoping all the trims are out in no more than 6 months. Truck, BEV, EREV. All of it.

 

[Chuckles]

From Jamie:

Post in thread 'EREV initial release only?'

Feb 3, 2026

I/We don't know the launch cadence yet as there are still a LOT of moving pieces.

I will say this to set expectations. This is a brand new factory that hasn't built any vehicles before. We have to bring everything online gradually to ensure we deliver a high-quality product. The initial ramp-up will be slower, then work its way toward full production capacity. That also means we won't launch every model and every trim at once. No manufacturer wants to spool up a brand-new factory and try to build two brand-new models for the first time. We have said Traveler is coming first, followed by...

• Jamie@ScoutMotors

• 
• 

 

[cyure]

From Jamie:

Post in thread 'EREV initial release only?'

Feb 3, 2026

I/We don't know the launch cadence yet as there are still a LOT of moving pieces.

I will say this to set expectations. This is a brand new factory that hasn't built any vehicles before. We have to bring everything online gradually to ensure we deliver a high-quality product. The initial ramp-up will be slower, then work its way toward full production capacity. That also means we won't launch every model and every trim at once. No manufacturer wants to spool up a brand-new factory and try to build two brand-new models for the first time. We have said Traveler is coming first, followed by...

• Jamie@ScoutMotors

• 
• 

I know, I know, but a girl can dream can’t she…

 

[maynard]

This is exactly the challenge Scout is facing. I hope they can pull off the launch without a majority of their fan base feeling dissappointed by pricing. For now I'm persoanlly channeling @cyure - Hope and faith and rooting for Scout at the same time. Great product, great people.

And *patience*

 

[cyure]

And *patience*

Fine…