Extra, Extra....Read All About It!

[THil08]

MSN

Just click the MSN

 

[R1TVT]

I did not know Rivian door latches are electronic with the override so close. Yes. Why do electric latch? I wonder what percentage of Rivian owners use the override over the electric latch?

I did not know that Rivian even made a truck with that type of handle or an electric latch!!! My R1T handles do NOT look anything like that.
I wonder what vehicle that is?
Does seem like a strange design, and completely unnecessary. Maybe it was added to woo more former Tesla owners, but who knows!

 

[Chavannigans]

The patent application in question was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Dec. 28, 2023, and originally filed by Rivian June 28, 2022. It's titled "Spare Wheel Containers for a Vehicle," and mainly deals with uses for the space inside a spare wheel mounting assembly hung off an SUV's tailgate.

Ah, Like the Ineos Grenadier tire carrier.

I did not know that Rivian even made a truck with that type of handle or an electric latch!!! My R1T handles do NOT look anything like that.
I wonder what vehicle that is?
Does seem like a strange design, and completely unnecessary. Maybe it was added to woo more former Tesla owners, but who knows!

I believe the Gen 2 R1S and R1T switched to that style.

 

[THil08]

The patent application in question was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Dec. 28, 2023, and originally filed by Rivian June 28, 2022. It's titled "Spare Wheel Containers for a Vehicle," and mainly deals with uses for the space inside a spare wheel mounting assembly hung off an SUV's tailgate.

They also have the patents for the hybrid system. Seems that Rivian is the head of Scout Motors Engineering. No wonder at CES when the Rivian engineers walked through the Scout Camp, they all acted giddy and shit.

I thought we were separating the whole Scout is Rivian thing, but this isn't helping. Sure, it's helping cutting costs on Scouts end, but this is a really bad image.

 

[Chavannigans]

They also have the patents for the hybrid system. Seems that Rivian is the head of Scout Motors Engineering. No wonder at CES when the Rivian engineers walked through the Scout Camp, they all acted giddy and shit.

I thought we were separating the whole Scout is Rivian thing, but this isn't helping. Sure, it's helping cutting costs on Scouts end, but this is a really bad image.

 

[R1TVT]

They also have the patents for the hybrid system. Seems that Rivian is the head of Scout Motors Engineering. No wonder at CES when the Rivian engineers walked through the Scout Camp, they all acted giddy and shit.

I thought we were separating the whole Scout is Rivian thing, but this isn't helping. Sure, it's helping cutting costs on Scouts end, but this is a really bad image.

Uh, I think you need to relax a bit... They have a partnership but they are 2 entirely different trucks. This is coming from someone that owns a R1T and has a Terra reservation. The Scout is a Scout.

Leveraging some of Rivian's SW & Zonal Architecture (which has been discussed at length here) is a huge benefit. If SW can interact with a locking feature on the rear tire carrier (for example) or provide some other utilitarian functionality, and Scout decides to enable some of that functionality, who cares? It's a just a tire carrier! LOL.

 

[THil08]

Uh, I think you need to relax a bit... They have a partnership but they are 2 entirely different trucks. This is coming from someone that owns a R1T and has a Terra reservation. The Scout is a Scout.

Leveraging some of Rivian's SW & Zonal Architecture (which has been discussed at length here) is a huge benefit. If SW can interact with a locking feature on the rear tire carrier (for example) or provide some other utilitarian functionality, and Scout decides to enable some of that functionality, who cares? It's a just a tire carrier! LOL.

 

[bb00799]

Also patents are not difficult to file or get when you have a dedicated legal team and engineers with a history of it. Additionally the amount of patents that are incredibly similar to one another but might be slightly different in a key way is enormous.

And unless you are working for a particularly "suit-happy" company it is rare that they will fight for patent infringement.

 

[dreamweaver]

Ah, Like the Ineos Grenadier tire carrier.



I believe the Gen 2 R1S and R1T switched to that style.

Rivian just took it a little further with the RFID tag so, in theory you can look at the center screen and know what is in the carrier cubby.

 

[Chavannigans]

Scout Motors team builds trailhead kiosks for Palmetto Trail | The Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County

COLUMBIA – In a powerful display of teamwork, craftsmanship, and community spirit, more than 70 production team members from Scout Motors came together last week to construct 24 new trailhead kiosks for South Carolina’s Palmetto Trail. The large-scale volunteer effort, coordinated in partnership...

www.blythewoodonline.com

Good job Scout!

 

[Chaparral]

Apple WWDC 2025 was today.

At 20:00 they start discussing CarPlay and the new Widget and Live Activity features.

CarPlay keeps on getting better. Another upcoming improvement is that the phone app won’t take over the screen when a call comes in.

One of the conference session videos explains to developers of navigation apps how they can update their apps to provide turn-by-turn metadata for display in a vehicle’s instrument cluster or HUD via CarPlay.

This functionality should be supported by Scout.

CarPlay gives users choice between hundreds of apps and services so they can use whatever they want. It also makes it relatively easy for small app development businesses (or even individuals) to build apps for the car. This is in sharp contrast to the systems in Rivians and Teslas that only provide access to a small number of major services from giant tech companies. Scout’s commitment to “community” should in principle be a commitment to supporting choice and small businesses.

 

[Chavannigans]

@THil08 Discovered some big news today.

AAM is officially the supplier for Scout drivetrains!

Official press release from AAM

AAM Secures New Business to Support Scout Motors’ Iconic SUV and Truck Launch

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), (NYSE: AXL) announced it has secured an agreement with Scout Motors.

www.aam.com

DETROIT, JUNE 11, 2025 - - American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (AAM), (NYSE: AXL) announced it has secured an agreement with Scout Motors to supply front electric drive units (EDUs) and rear e-Beam axles for the much-anticipated launch of the all-new electric Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck.

Both the Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra pickup truck will be built on a body-on-frame chassis and configurable with 100 percent battery electric or gasoline fueled range-extended energy systems to give customers the confidence they need to electrify on their terms.

“We are honored to support the rebirth of the iconic Scout brand and play a significant role in these important vehicle launches with AAM’s award-winning electric drive technology,” said AAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David C. Dauch. “Additionally, Scout and AAM share a commitment to American design, engineering and innovation with both companies having a strong presence in the U.S.”

Scout Motors is accepting customer order reservations now, with initial production of the Traveler and Terra vehicles targeted to begin in 2027.

About AAM

As a leading global Tier 1 Automotive and Mobility Supplier, AAM designs, engineers and manufactures Driveline and Metal Forming technologies to support electric, hybrid and internal combustion vehicles. Headquartered in Detroit, MI, with over 75 facilities in 16 countries, AAM is bringing the future faster for a safer and more sustainable tomorrow. To learn more, visit www.aam.com.

About Scout Motors

The Scout, originally produced by International Harvesters from 1961-80, was the world’s first utility vehicle capable of both off-road adventure and family duty. It was the 8-day-a-week truck. Scout is now an American icon whose heritage is kept alive by a dedicated community of doers who continue to push their vehicles on the farm, in the wilderness, and on family outings. Scout Motors was formed to craft the next era of trucks and rugged SUVs rooted in the same tradition that made the original Scout an American icon. Scout Motors is revitalizing a legend and returning to American shores. To learn more, visit www.scoutmotors.com.



For more information, contact:

Christopher M. Son
Vice President, Marketing & Communications, AAM
(313) 758-4814
chris.son@aam.com





Just wanted to shout out @THil08 again. This is probably the biggest Scout news so far this year.

 

[Chaparral]

Unfortunately, when it comes to neodymium magnets there is still almost zero production in the US. The company featured in the video (USA Rare Earth) are rapidly building capabilities but are still many years away from shipping actual magnets. Ramping up mining is the easy part, the hard part is processing. Right now the USA Rare Earth company are still figuring out how to do it in their lab. The lab only opened a few months ago. They have a long way to go. The mine in California, which has been operating through Chinese investment, does some initial processing but still has to send material overseas to complete the processing (and up until a few months ago was sending almost all the material to China).

Processing in the US will take years to develop but the supply problem is very short term. My company has already had to stop manufacturing one of our audio transducers. It seems very likely that other manufacturers will also have to stop production of critical parts.

The U.S. President has just announced a deal with China (subject to being signed) that resumes shipments of magnets to the U.S. from China. In exchange, Chinese students are allowed to go to U.S. universities.

 

[Hedrock]

The U.S. President has just announced a deal with China (subject to being signed) that resumes shipments of magnets to the U.S. from China. In exchange, Chinese students are allowed to go to U.S. universities.

I wonder if the 55% tariff still applies to those rare earths and magnets?

 

[Chavannigans]

The U.S. President has just announced a deal with China (subject to being signed) that resumes shipments of magnets to the U.S. from China. In exchange, Chinese students are allowed to go to U.S. universities.

They fixed a problem they created. Nice.

 

[Czernobog]

The AAM announcement makes me quite happy in that it pretty much confirms use of silicon carbide rather than IGBT for the inverters. Big win for efficiency.

 

[Hedrock]

The AAM announcement makes me quite happy in that it pretty much confirms use of silicon carbide rather than IGBT for the inverters. Big win for efficiency.

For those of us new to EVs - can you TLDR the significance?

 

[dreamweaver]

For those of us new to EVs - can you TLDR the significance?

Silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs are generally more efficient than IGBTs for inverters, especially in high-frequency applications, as they can handle higher power levels with lower energy losses. IGBTs, while effective for high-voltage applications, tend to have higher dynamic losses at elevated frequencies compared to SiC MOSFETs, making SiC a preferred choice for modern inverter designs.

 

[dreamweaver]

If you would like the much longer answer this from Grok.

Key Differences Between SiC and IGBT​

Material and Performance​

• IGBT: Made from silicon, IGBTs are a mature technology known for their high current handling capability and affordability. They excel in applications with moderate switching frequencies and where cost is a key concern.
• SiC: A wide-bandgap semiconductor, SiC provides superior thermal conductivity, higher electron mobility, and the ability to operate at elevated temperatures and voltages. This makes it ideal for high-performance, demanding applications.

Efficiency​

• SiC: SiC devices exhibit lower switching losses, resulting in higher efficiency, especially at high switching frequencies. This is a significant advantage in applications like electric vehicles, where energy savings are critical.
• IGBT: IGBTs have higher switching losses compared to SiC but remain efficient enough for many standard applications with lower switching frequencies.

Thermal Management​

• SiC: Capable of operating at temperatures exceeding 200°C, SiC reduces the need for extensive cooling systems. This can decrease the overall size, weight, and cost of an inverter system.
• IGBT: IGBTs have lower thermal tolerance, often requiring more robust cooling solutions, which can add to system complexity and expense.

Cost​

• SiC: SiC devices are more expensive due to complex manufacturing and lower production volumes. However, their efficiency and reduced cooling needs can lower total system costs in some cases.
• IGBT: IGBTs are more cost-effective upfront, making them attractive for budget-conscious applications.

Reliability​

• IGBT: With decades of use, IGBTs are well-proven and reliable across various conditions.
• SiC: Though newer, SiC has demonstrated promising reliability in recent studies and is gaining traction in high-performance settings.

---

Application-Specific Considerations​

The choice between SiC and IGBT depends heavily on the inverter’s intended use:

• Electric Vehicles (EVs): SiC is often favored here due to its superior efficiency, which extends battery range, and its ability to handle high power densities in compact designs. Reduced cooling requirements also help minimize vehicle weight.
• Industrial Drives: IGBTs are typically preferred in these cost-sensitive applications, where extreme efficiency or high switching frequencies are not essential.
• Renewable Energy Systems (e.g., Solar Inverters): The decision varies by system needs. SiC shines in high-efficiency or harsh-environment setups, while IGBTs suffice for cost-driven projects with standard requirements.

---

Future Trends​

As SiC technology advances and production scales up, its cost is expected to drop, potentially making it more competitive with IGBTs. This could expand SiC’s adoption into areas currently dominated by IGBTs.

---

Conclusion​

Both SiC and IGBT offer unique advantages for inverters, and the best choice hinges on your specific priorities:

• Opt for SiC in applications demanding high efficiency, power density, and performance under extreme conditions—such as electric vehicles or advanced industrial systems.
• Choose IGBT for cost-sensitive scenarios with moderate efficiency needs, like general industrial drives or some renewable energy systems.

To decide, evaluate your inverter’s performance goals, thermal management requirements, and budget constraints carefully.

 

[strider]

Wow that is huge news. I had assumed they would go with ZF.