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

[Chuckles]

Rivian.

Rivian finds a way to shine even as the EV market struggles in the dark

Rivian shocked the market with strong earnings results last week, proving itself an outlier in the electric vehicle market, which has been struggling with the end of government subsidies and coolin…

trib.al

Paywall. Better numbers. They lost $3.6 billion for 2025, compared to $4.7 billion in 2025

 

[Chuckles]

Ford's New 2028 Electric Truck Will Be a Fully Modern EV for $30,000

Ford's New Mid-Size Truck Will Be a Fully Modern EV That'll Cost $30K When It Goes on Sale in 2027

After a string of EVs adapted from other projects, Detroit’s second-largest maker has finally started with a clean sheet of paper.

www.caranddriver.com

Lets see how Ford using megacasting affects insurance. It seems like they're putting a lot of effort into this.

 

[RodorW]

Ford's New 2028 Electric Truck Will Be a Fully Modern EV for $30,000

Ford's New Mid-Size Truck Will Be a Fully Modern EV That'll Cost $30K When It Goes on Sale in 2027

After a string of EVs adapted from other projects, Detroit’s second-largest maker has finally started with a clean sheet of paper.

www.caranddriver.com

Lets see how Ford using megacasting affects insurance. It seems like they're putting a lot of effort into this.

Does ford offer their own insurance? Could be a way to “entice” people to switch if the price is right

 

[tango91]

I cant read the full article but Spiegel is saying that the launch is being delayed by a year!

Which makes me super sad if true, though as if its as they say in the sub headline is due to to technical problems, it's better than launching a half baked product, I was really hoping they would have the BEV (simpler of the two) out on time

(S+) VW verschiebt Neustart der US-Hoffnungsmarke Scout

Mit dem Elektro-Pick-up Scout wollte Volkswagen den wichtigen US-Markt erobern. Doch nun verschiebt der Autokonzern das Milliardenprojekt nach SPIEGEL-Informationen um ein Jahr. Der Grund: technische Probleme.

www.spiegel.de

 

[cyure]

I cant read the full article but Spiegel is saying that the launch is being delayed by a year!

Which makes me super sad if true, though as if its as they say in the sub headline is due to to technical problems, it's better than launching a half baked product, I was really hoping they would have the BEV (simpler of the two) out on time

(S+) VW verschiebt Neustart der US-Hoffnungsmarke Scout

Mit dem Elektro-Pick-up Scout wollte Volkswagen den wichtigen US-Markt erobern. Doch nun verschiebt der Autokonzern das Milliardenprojekt nach SPIEGEL-Informationen um ein Jahr. Der Grund: technische Probleme.

www.spiegel.de

Okay before we have any panicking let’s see if we can get an answer from SM.

@Jamie@ScoutMotors can we get some clarification. I took German in high school but don’t remember enough to read this article.

Jamie, any idea what this article is in reference to and is there a year delay anticipated? Thanks!

 

[RodorW]

I cant read the full article but Spiegel is saying that the launch is being delayed by a year!

Which makes me super sad if true, though as if its as they say in the sub headline is due to to technical problems, it's better than launching a half baked product, I was really hoping they would have the BEV (simpler of the two) out on time

(S+) VW verschiebt Neustart der US-Hoffnungsmarke Scout

Mit dem Elektro-Pick-up Scout wollte Volkswagen den wichtigen US-Markt erobern. Doch nun verschiebt der Autokonzern das Milliardenprojekt nach SPIEGEL-Informationen um ein Jahr. Der Grund: technische Probleme.

www.spiegel.de

Can’t even open it without the paywall

 

[cyure]

Can’t even open it without the paywall

Exactly so let’s see if we can get clarification before we all run with they are delayed a year.

 

[tango91]

I found someone copy and pasted a translation on reddit

VW Postpones Relaunch of Scout, a Hopeful US Brand
With the Scout electric pickup truck, Volkswagen aimed to conquer the important US market. But now, according to information obtained by SPIEGEL, the automaker is postponing the multi-billion-dollar project by a year. The reason: technical problems

By Alexander Demling February 17, 2026, 7:36 p.m.

In the US, Volkswagen suffered almost nothing but bankruptcies last year. US President Donald Trump's auto tariffs particularly devastated business for Audi and Porsche – and cost Europe's largest automaker billions.

But even the VW brand sold almost 50,000 fewer vehicles there in 2025, despite a stable overall market and the fact that it produces vehicles locally and can thus partially circumvent tariffs. In an interview, CEO Oliver Blume just abandoned the goal of achieving a ten percent market share in the US with all Volkswagen brands.

The only remaining hope for VW in the world's second-largest car market is Scout, a historic pickup truck brand that the company intends to revive. Volkswagen is currently building a factory in Blythewood, South Carolina, where, according to the original plan, electric trucks and battery-powered off-road SUVs were to be produced starting next year.

At its final stage, Scout was supposed to be able to build 250,000 vehicles there, which is already considered oversized given the weak demand for electric trucks. Now, production is also being delayed: According to SPIEGEL, Scout has postponed its launch date from 2027 to the summer of 2028. An earlier start date is now considered purely a possibility. Volkswagen declined to comment on the delay when asked. "We currently have no update to share regarding our timeline or product plan," a Scout spokesperson said in response to an inquiry.

Even tougher cost-cutting measures in Wolfsburg

In the current crisis, the slower start of the Scout factory is causing particular tension. CEO Blume intends to intensify cost-cutting programs in Germany: According to a report in manager magazin, the Volkswagen boss has committed his executives to an even stricter austerity course. There is even renewed talk of closing major plants in Germany, which the VW works council had averted at the end of 2024.

It doesn't look super solid (but that might just be the translation) though Spiegel generally has a good track record to my knowledge so I'm definitely anxiously awaiting more info from Jamie

Fingers crossed that this is an unfounded rumor!

 

[cyure]

I found someone copy and pasted a translation on reddit








It doesn't look super solid (but that might just be the translation) though Spiegel generally has a good track record to my knowledge so I'm definitely anxiously awaiting more info from Jamie

Fingers crossed that this is an unfounded rumor!

Unless and until they have a quote from a named source at Scout I’m skeptical.

 

[J Alynn]

I cant read the full article but Spiegel is saying that the launch is being delayed by a year!

Which makes me super sad if true, though as if its as they say in the sub headline is due to to technical problems, it's better than launching a half baked product, I was really hoping they would have the BEV (simpler of the two) out on time

(S+) VW verschiebt Neustart der US-Hoffnungsmarke Scout

Mit dem Elektro-Pick-up Scout wollte Volkswagen den wichtigen US-Markt erobern. Doch nun verschiebt der Autokonzern das Milliardenprojekt nach SPIEGEL-Informationen um ein Jahr. Der Grund: technische Probleme.

www.spiegel.de

I’ve learned that @Jamie@ScoutMotors provides us source info. Just need to be patient and see where we are when Jamie follows up with all of us. The sky isn’t falling yet!

 

[Colton_Scout80]

Unless and until they have a quote from a named source at Scout I’m skeptical.

Agreed.

 

[cyure]

I’ve learned that @Jamie@ScoutMotors provides us source info. Just need to be patient and see where we are when Jamie follows up with all of us. The sky isn’t falling yet!

Plus just a week or so ago they took local reporters out to the factory, Scott gave them a tour and the story on the local news said the exact same dates we are all used to hearing.

I don’t see how things could have changed so drastically in such a short period of time. I’m believing the local reporters and what SM and Scott told them.

 

[RodorW]

Maybe I’m misreading, but it seems more like someone is taking VWs German cost cutting activities and just applying it as a hard possibility on scout, but unless we hear it from someone within Scout I wouldn’t take it as fact

 

[Jamie@ScoutMotors]

The German publications love their headlines and "sources say" articles - it all makes for good headlines people click on.

We are still moving full steam ahead, bringing Scout back to market. Everything is moving forward and making good progress. Much like the guy who is balancing spinning plates on sticks and running back and forth to keep them spinning to prevent them from falling, we are juggling a lot at once. New factory. New suppliers. Two completely new vehicles. Could there be potential delays? Of course. But I will let you all know as quickly as I can if there are any official changes or major announcements.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I cant read the full article but Spiegel is saying that the launch is being delayed by a year!

Which makes me super sad if true, though as if its as they say in the sub headline is due to to technical problems, it's better than launching a half baked product, I was really hoping they would have the BEV (simpler of the two) out on time

(S+) VW verschiebt Neustart der US-Hoffnungsmarke Scout

Mit dem Elektro-Pick-up Scout wollte Volkswagen den wichtigen US-Markt erobern. Doch nun verschiebt der Autokonzern das Milliardenprojekt nach SPIEGEL-Informationen um ein Jahr. Der Grund: technische Probleme.

www.spiegel.de

A google translation is in the quote block below.

Several things:
First, an unsourced commentary isn’t exactly reliable.

Second, delays happen all the time in the auto industry. I’ve been fully expecting August 2028 to be the likely date of major volume deliveries of Scouts. Earlier deliveries would likely happen, beginning in mid 2027, but I expect only a few hundred to a few thousand at a time. The spin-up time for a new factory is not nothing, and there’s a lot of QA time spent in the first several quarters building, shutting down, recalibrating, rearranging, resetting, and building again. Even a fully-experienced builder like Ford or Chevrolet has to go through that process with new models. I would be pleasantly surprised to see a large volume of deliveries in 2027. Even worse than delivering late would be delivering a bunch of vehicles that need to be recalled because there was a calibration issue on the line and a bolt was out of torque spec. Many of those issues can’t be sussed out until they’re pushing dozens to hundreds of vehicles through the machines and stress-testing the assembly line.

Third, I'd wait for official statements from Scout before deciding anything.

Fourth: Even if this is real, Scout isn’t going to be behind. Ford probably isn’t going to be producing their Lightning EREV in 2027. RAM probably isn’t going to be producing their REV in 2027. They both have very, very optimistic timelines. The RAM has been delayed several times already and RAM has no idea what they’re doing. Ford only announced the EREV a few months ago and is unlikely to have pre-planned the vehicle much before the announcement—there are no concept drawings out for it; there are just concepts of an idea of a potential vehicle.

As @cyure likes to say, “patience.”

From Spiegel:

In the US, Volkswagen suffered almost nothing but defeats last year. US President Donald Trump's auto tariffs particularly devastated business for Audi and Porsche – and cost Europe's largest automaker billions.

But even the VW brand sold almost 50,000 fewer vehicles there in 2025, despite a stable overall market and the fact that it produces vehicles locally and can thus partially circumvent the tariffs. In an interview, CEO Oliver Blume just abandoned the goal of achieving a ten percent market share in the US with all Volkswagen brands.

Scout, a historic pickup truck brand that the company intends to revive, is considered VW's only hope in the world's second-largest car market. In Blythewood, South Carolina, Volkswagen is currently building a factory where, according to the original plan, electric trucks and battery-powered off-road SUVs were to be produced starting next year.

At its final stage, Scout was supposed to be able to build 250,000 vehicles there, which, given the weak demand for electric trucks, is already considered oversized. Now, production is being delayed even further: According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, Scout has postponed the start date from 2027 to the summer of 2028. An earlier date is now considered purely speculative. Volkswagen declined to comment on the delay when asked. "We currently have no update to our timeline or product plan to share," a Scout spokesperson said in response to an inquiry.

Even tougher cost-cutting measures in Wolfsburg
In the current crisis, the slower start of the Scout factory is causing particular tension. Group CEO Blume wants to tighten cost-cutting programs in Germany: According to a report in manager magazin, the Volkswagen boss has committed his executives to an even stricter austerity course. Even the closure of major plants in Germany, which the VW works council averted at the end of 2024, is being discussed again.

Now the Scout factory is becoming a political issue in Wolfsburg, especially since the plant and its supplier park are expected to cost three billion dollars (2.53 billion euros) – money that is urgently needed elsewhere. Construction is already in full swing, but the factory will probably only generate revenue a year later than hoped, assuming everything goes according to plan from now on.

The current problems could also affect the sister brand: Audi plans to build up to 40,000 premium SUVs (project name: "Audi Rugged") on the Scout platform in Blythewood.

Furthermore, the delay would be a significant setback in the race with the competition. Ford intends to launch a version of its best-selling F-150 truck with a range extender as early as 2027.

The reason for the impending delay: In addition to the development of the hybrid drive with a so-called range-extender (REEV), the software is also taking longer than usual, as is so often the case within the Volkswagen Group. Because the software alliance with the US start-up Rivian has not yet delivered what Scout needs, Volkswagen's own, itself crisis-ridden, development unit Cariad has to step in.

The situation is extremely difficult for the group, as many hundreds of people are already working for the new brand.

Even worse: The comeback to the US market, planned for years, has been postponed once again.
Poaching in Ford and General Motors' territory
Until now, the Volkswagen brand was too European for many Americans. Scout was supposed to finally make the company more appealing.

 

[Chuckles]

We will be reading articles about this for weeks, just just like all the articles about the BEV being delayed. Everyone jumps on the story without doing any research. They're just recycling the same "news". I've already seen one, but at least they reached out to Scout for a response and got one:
“Scout Motors has not shared any timing or product update announcements,” a company spokesperson told The Drive in response to an emailed inquiry. We will update this story if we receive a more detailed statement.

VW Group Delays Scout Motors Launch Until at Least 2028: Report

The company cited "technical issues" according to a German media report.

www.thedrive.com

 

[THil08]

The German publications love their headlines and "sources say" articles - makes for good headlines people click on.

We are still moving full steam ahead, bringing Scout back to market. Everything is moving forward and making good progress. Much like the guy who is balancing spinning plates on sticks and running back and forth to keep them spinning to prevent them from falling, we are juggling a lot all at once. New factory. New suppliers. Two completely new vehicles. Could there be potential delays? Of course. But I will let you all know here as quickly as I can if there are any official changes or major announcements.

Can i Get an AMEN for our great and dearest uncle Jamie!!! Who supplies us with the most factual and up-to date information.


If its financial issues lets open up it up and get the IPO going. My family and friends will gladly buy a bulk amount.

 

[cyure]

The German publications love their headlines and "sources say" articles - makes for good headlines people click on.

We are still moving full steam ahead, bringing Scout back to market. Everything is moving forward and making good progress. Much like the guy who is balancing spinning plates on sticks and running back and forth to keep them spinning to prevent them from falling, we are juggling a lot all at once. New factory. New suppliers. Two completely new vehicles. Could there be potential delays? Of course. But I will let you all know here as quickly as I can if there are any official changes or major announcements.

Thanks Jamie!

Okay everyone stand down. We have the official word from SM. Nothing has changed. Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Who wants a whole hour dedicated to how great PBY is and why? Huh huh? Any takers???

 

[wheelsee]

The German publications love their headlines and "sources say" articles - it all makes for good headlines people click on.

We are still moving full steam ahead, bringing Scout back to market. Everything is moving forward and making good progress. Much like the guy who is balancing spinning plates on sticks and running back and forth to keep them spinning to prevent them from falling, we are juggling a lot at once. New factory. New suppliers. Two completely new vehicles. Could there be potential delays? Of course. But I will let you all know as quickly as I can if there are any official changes or major announcements.

So they will still be released in 2027?

 

[Logan]

Thanks Jamie!

Okay everyone stand down. We have the official word from SM. Nothing has changed. Back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Who wants a whole hour dedicated to how great PBY is and why? Huh huh? Any takers???

I too would like additional discussion about PeanutButterYellow

(sorry, even after all this time, I read that, still did the double take/read it exactly as above.)

(something must be wrong in my brain)