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

[Chaz26]

RAM claims they’re going to release their EREV…sometime soon? I’ll believe it when I see real people driving it.
Ford has the Lightning, the best-selling BEV pickup in the US. But they don’t have any public updates in the pike for the Lightning. They do have T3 coming sometime…?soon?

If Scout actually beat RAM to market with the EREV that wouldn't actually surprise me with how many delays RAM have had on this.

Ford could be a potential competitor, but I think the Lightning will definitely need to have a good refresh by 2028 in order to compete with Scout.

 

[THil08]

Rivian creates another spinoff company called Mind Robotics | TechCrunch

It's the second time this year Rivian has spun out a new company, after it created micromobility startup Also in March.

techcrunch.com

 

[J Alynn]

Scout are moving forward at a more rapid pace than Rivian did at this stage in the company, thanks in large part to VW's and Rivian’s corporate and engineering help. The issue is that the field is a bit more crowded for Scout than it was for Rivian. So Scout needs to stick to what differentiates them from all the other players. This includes style, community, and capability.

Rivian doesn’t make off-roaders. Nobody makes off-roading EVs in the US. But Scout is working toward true off-road chops.
Rivian is priced at luxury prices; Scout should be priced low enough to be affordable to the middle-class.
Rivian doesn’t have any heritage to lean on for nostalgia. Scout does and is using that to attract a lot of people who wouldn’t have looked at yet another EV pickup startup.
Rivian has also distracted itself with bicycles and robots and I fear they’re going to go down the path of madness instead of sticking with their strength, which is incredible BEVs. If the R2 doesn’t sell like hotcakes, they’re in really big trouble.

Toyota is wrapped up eating its own tail so badly that even if they get the Hilux BEV out, they probably won’t bring it to the US before 2028. Toyota isn’t a realistic threat to Scout at this time. If they decided to, they could have a BEV pickup in the US in six months and they would dominate the entire BEV truck market. But they are an incredibly conservative company and I’m convinced they just can’t move quickly enough to do that.

RAM claims they’re going to release their EREV…sometime soon? I’ll believe it when I see real people driving it.
Ford has the Lightning, the best-selling BEV pickup in the US. But they don’t have any public updates in the pike for the Lightning. They do have T3 coming sometime…?soon?
GM/Chevrolet have the Sierra/Silverado EV, which is super expensive and doesn’t seem to have captured anyone’s imagination.

Telo and Slate are in a different market from the Terra and Traveler. I think they might steal a few sales from Scout, but probably not enough to even bother accounting.

Scout is offering the most unique electrified vehicles to be announced in the past five years. And they are creating some unique emotional responses to those vehicles the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long time.

This is one of the best and well written posts I’ve seen for quite awhile

 

[cyure]

This is one of the best and well written posts I’ve seen for quite awhile

This is why he can’t leave our community even if he buys something else.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

If Scout actually beat RAM to market with the EREV that wouldn't actually surprise me with how many delays RAM have had on this.

Ford could be a potential competitor, but I think the Lightning will definitely need to have a good refresh by 2028 in order to compete with Scout.

Scout should be (and obviously are) paying attention to the Lighting as it is. The Ford community are a tough loyalty nut to crack, but even a few percent would be a good get. And Scout is likely most strongly looking at the people who are considering switching to the Lightning from other brands specifically because the Lightning is a BEV (like me—I traded a Tacoma for the Lightning).

If Ford does what some people keep gossiping about and release a Lightning Raptor, Scout would definitely have to consider some specs adjustments. If Ford release a BEV and, or, EREV Bronco, Scout would really have to worry.

I think if Ford was as serious today as they were three years ago about BEVs, Scout would face some major uphill competition with the Lightning and (ideally for competition in the market) the Bronco.

Scout needs to meet or exceed specs of the Lightning with a lower price than the Lightning to attract the work truck crowd. But that crowd is slow to change brands, so…

 

[J Alynn]

Scout should be (and obviously are) paying attention to the Lighting as it is. The Ford community are a tough loyalty nut to crack, but even a few percent would be a good get. And Scout is likely most strongly looking at the people who are considering switching to the Lightning from other brands specifically because the Lightning is a BEV (like me—I traded a Tacoma for the Lightning).

If Ford does what some people keep gossiping about and release a Lightning Raptor, Scout would definitely have to consider some specs adjustments. If Ford release a BEV and, or, EREV Bronco, Scout would really have to worry.

I think if Ford was as serious today as they were three years ago about BEVs, Scout would face some major uphill competition with the Lightning and (ideally for competition in the market) the Bronco.

Scout needs to meet or exceed specs of the Lightning with a lower price than the Lightning to attract the work truck crowd. But that crowd is slow to change brands, so…

I don’t disagree but just based on my experience with our ICE Bronco, I’d go Scout without a second thought. Even knowing the Scouts are BRANND new and will have some hiccups I’ll take it any day before the Broncos and emotionally I LOVED our Broncos but the problems were ridiculous. Just can’t deal with that

 

[cyure]

I don’t disagree but just based on my experience with our ICE Bronco, I’d go Scout without a second thought. Even knowing the Scouts are BRANND new and will have some hiccups I’ll take it any day before the Broncos and emotionally I LOVED our Broncos but the problems were ridiculous. Just can’t deal with that

I had one Ford in 1991. Never again.

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

This is one of the best and well written posts I’ve seen for quite awhile

I know, this guy just knocks our socks off doesn’t he.

 

[R1TVT]

Scout are moving forward at a more rapid pace than Rivian did at this stage in the company, thanks in large part to VW's and Rivian’s corporate and engineering help. The issue is that the field is a bit more crowded for Scout than it was for Rivian. So Scout needs to stick to what differentiates them from all the other players. This includes style, community, and capability.

Yes. Scout has an obvious edge with VW in terms of their parts bin and engineering experience and cash infusion, but it's very difficult to say that they are "further ahead" at this stage, since Rivian's birth revolved around the development of a sports car before pivoting (and since a more accurate comparison would be with quantifiable metrics - things like "converted reservations to sales", "quarterly production units" or "delivery numbers"). Being further ahead is tough, because Scout has not yet publicly started testing their pre-production units. Also - making an apples for apples comparison to this launch will likely not be possible without a pivot, a global pandemic and giant supply chain shortage. One great thing about Rivian is that it is truly a new American OEM - built from the ground up. When we call it a "success" and an "ongoing concern" may be up for the debate, but look at the likes of Lordstown, Canoo, Bollinger and Nikola. Rivian's Fleet Services are also often overlooked, and should be a growing part of their portfolio beyond AMZN.

Rivian doesn’t make off-roaders. Nobody makes off-roading EVs in the US. But Scout is working toward true off-road chops.

Ask me how I know. Rivian does, in fact, make EV off-roaders that are amazingly capable. They have also won things like the Rebelle Ralleye. They sell an OEM A/T package (which i have on my R1T). Are they mod-ready and as easy to service as the new Scout has promised to be? Definitely not, but that in no way nullifies its capabilities or its ability to off-road. I speak from personal experience.

Rivian is priced at luxury prices; Scout should be priced low enough to be affordable to the middle-class.

YES. Scout has already picked the value lane in comparison, and it should be a more attractive option to more off-roaders - esp if it is as capable as described and sold at a lower price-point with options for easy upgrades too. Keep in mind we are still talking about starting prices ~$60K.

Rivian doesn’t have any heritage to lean on for nostalgia. Scout does and is using that to attract a lot of people who wouldn’t have looked at yet another EV pickup startup.
Rivian has also distracted itself with bicycles and robots and I fear they’re going to go down the path of madness instead of sticking with their strength, which is incredible BEVs. If the R2 doesn’t sell like hotcakes, they’re in really big trouble.

Plenty of successful companies innovate. Rivian is really good at it, AND has a core mission around clean mobility. An offshoot of all the patent development and the utilization of battery technology could produce ideas that can support entirely new companies. You could argue that the spin-offs of those businesses is SMART and keeps them focussed on their core competencies to build competitive advantage. Retaining corollary businesses within the confines of Rivian would not be a smart business choice. I have a feeling that RJ Scaringe has read "The Competitive Advantage of Nations" by Michael Porter. Lets see what happens with R2... I have a feeling that they will benefit greatly from R2, but they need to bring the R2 to market ASAP and expand their Service Center network in parallel with a larger ownership base.

Toyota is wrapped up eating its own tail so badly that even if they get the Hilux BEV out, they probably won’t bring it to the US before 2028. Toyota isn’t a realistic threat to Scout at this time. If they decided to, they could have a BEV pickup in the US in six months and they would dominate the entire BEV truck market. But they are an incredibly conservative company and I’m convinced they just can’t move quickly enough to do that.

Toyota relinquished itself to Japan's O&G lobby years ago. 100% agree. And there is no better time to buy American from an OEM like Scout.

RAM claims they’re going to release their EREV…sometime soon? I’ll believe it when I see real people driving it.
Ford has the Lightning, the best-selling BEV pickup in the US. But they don’t have any public updates in the pike for the Lightning. They do have T3 coming sometime…?soon?
GM/Chevrolet have the Sierra/Silverado EV, which is super expensive and doesn’t seem to have captured anyone’s imagination.

I feel like the big 3 couldn't fully commit - that created an opening for Rivian, Scout and others.

Telo and Slate are in a different market from the Terra and Traveler. I think they might steal a few sales from Scout, but probably not enough to even bother accounting.

Scout is offering the most unique electrified vehicles to be announced in the past five years. And they are creating some unique emotional responses to those vehicles the likes of which we haven’t seen in a long time.

100% agree on all of this... But the second paragraph also doesn't apply to everyone (the younger demographic). I think they will gravitate toward the idea though, and jump onto the notion of heritage, even if they didn't know Scout before Scout Motors

 

[Chuckles]

Scout loses an employee to Lucid

In addition, Lucid has appointed Marnie Levergood, as Senior Vice President, Quality. Levergood will lead efforts to ensure Lucid delivers vehicles that meet the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship, working in close concert with engineering and manufacturing. She previously held quality and manufacturing roles at Scout Motors, Stellantis, and Magna. Levergood succeeds Jeri Ford, who will be retiring after more than 35 years in the automotive industry.

https://ir.lucidmotors.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lucid-announces-organizational-changes-accelerate-growth

 

[THil08]

Scout loses an employee to Lucid

In addition, Lucid has appointed Marnie Levergood, as Senior Vice President, Quality. Levergood will lead efforts to ensure Lucid delivers vehicles that meet the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship, working in close concert with engineering and manufacturing. She previously held quality and manufacturing roles at Scout Motors, Stellantis, and Magna. Levergood succeeds Jeri Ford, who will be retiring after more than 35 years in the automotive industry.

https://ir.lucidmotors.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lucid-announces-organizational-changes-accelerate-growth

Well as on what Abby Lee Miller says, “Everyone is Replaceable”

Scout will find someone who is stronger and better suited for the role. As on what any company would do.

 

[J Alynn]

I know, this guy just knocks our socks off doesn’t he.

I think SM pays him to be here and engage all of us simpletons