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

[THil08]

Here's a good summary of the history and status of the DTC sales in South Carolina and mention of Scout Motors. It's also an interesting read for consumers in other states battling the same issues. It's unfortunate that the average consumer is unaware that these franchise laws are firmly seated and supported by auto dealer lobbyists who continue to heavily contribute to our lawmakers' campaign funds.

Surprisingly, the article states "In states that were open to at least one EV manufacturer, franchise dealerships saw their sales revenue increase nearly 80% between 2012 and 2021" based on a report from the NADA itself.

South Carolina’s Direct-to-Consumer Car Sales Bill Ran Out of Time in 2025. Should it be revived in 2026?

As the American automotive industry continues to evolve, several new manufacturers have pursued an alternative go-to-market strategy to the traditional franchised dealer model by creating their own retail operations and selling directly to customers. That list includes Tesla, now one of the...

palmettopromise.org

Grandfathered Laws are impossible to get rid of. Same reason why you can't buy a car on a Sunday. It's grandfathered in from way back when, dealership owners would rather have their operation opened 7 days a week but they legally can't.

 

[OleScout]

New Nissan Patent Reveals Interesting Split Roll-Up Tailgate for Trucks

Nissan’s idea not only splits the tailgate in two but also allows it to roll up into the cargo box.

www.motortrend.com

 

[speedrye]

New Nissan Patent Reveals Interesting Split Roll-Up Tailgate for Trucks

Nissan’s idea not only splits the tailgate in two but also allows it to roll up into the cargo box.

www.motortrend.com

I can't think of any practical use for this.

 

[OleScout]

I can't think of any practical use for this.

Same, and if used for indended purposes for "truck stuff" I imagine over time debris may impact the sliding rails.

 

[robothero]

I could see a use if it gave the ability to adjust the tailgate depth, but I don't really get the point of the roll up.

 

[speedrye]

Wait, I changed my mind. This would look pretty cool if you could mount the spare tire to the back of the tailgate, but then move it up into the bed pre-runner style. It'd only be about the looks, but they're probably going to stick this thing in a useless 4' long bed anyway, so looks are going to be important.

 

[cyure]

I hope SM does something similar.

https://riviantrackr.com/news/rivian-and-caruso-expand-partnership-with-150-plus-fast-chargers-and-two-new-showrooms-in-southern-california/

 

[jeremydunworth]

Same, and if used for indended purposes for "truck stuff" I imagine over time debris may impact the sliding rails.

I remember people use to remove the tailgate on their small trucks. I always thought it was a superstition about improved fuel economy. Also, people would remove the tailgate and use a net instead, like this:

Covercraft Pro Runner Tailgate Net | RealTruck

Get the Covercraft Pro Runner Tailgate Net from RealTruck fast with rapid shipping in the lower 48 United States. Our team of product experts, extensive image galleries, and legendary customer service make it easy to get the right part the first time.

realtruck.com

So maybe somebody at Nissan had the idea to stow the tailgate like a partial tonneau cover and this is what they ended up with when the lawyers were done extracting the patent application from the engineers.

Also, as far as I can tell, this is only a patent application, not yet a granted patent

Result #	Document/Patent number	Display	Title	Inventor name	Publication date	Pages
1	US-20260109410-A1	PDF Text	TRUCK BED ASSEMBLY	FRANCUS; Neil Andrew	2026-04-23	13

 

[bwdavis7]

I totally agree with you both. I watched the legislative hearing last year and it was obvious that those knuckle heads had already made up their minds to support the lobbyist$ and not the SC consumers. What I can't figure out is which candidates for governor support DTC. Not that it matters, because McMaster was in support but not enough power to convince the legislators.

Post in thread 'Extra, Extra....Read All About It!'

Yesterday at 7:30 AM

Here's a good summary of the history and status of the DTC sales in South Carolina and mention of Scout Motors. It's also an interesting read for consumers in other states battling the same issues. It's unfortunate that the average consumer is unaware that these franchise laws are firmly seated and supported by auto dealer lobbyists who continue to heavily contribute to our lawmakers' campaign funds.

Surprisingly, the article states "In states that were open to at least one EV manufacturer, franchise dealerships saw their sales revenue increase nearly 80% between 2012 and 2021" based...

• LastDayScout

• 
• 

Post in thread 'Extra, Extra....Read All About It!'

Yesterday at 8:00 AM

Here's a good summary of the history and status of the DTC sales in South Carolina and mention of Scout Motors. It's also an interesting read for consumers in other states battling the same issues. It's unfortunate that the average consumer is unaware that these franchise laws are firmly seated and supported by auto dealer lobbyists who continue to heavily contribute to our lawmakers' campaign funds.

Surprisingly, the article states "In states that were open to at least one EV manufacturer, franchise dealerships saw their sales revenue increase nearly 80% between 2012 and 2021" based...

• THil08

• 
• 

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

This is kinda cool!

 

[Indy]

This is kinda cool!

Interesting watch.

 

[LastDayScout]

China China China. Come on USA!

China Went All-In on EVs — Now It’s Betting on Gas Again — Autoblog

Two of China's biggest automakers are investing heavily in ICE tech, and the efficiency numbers are staggering.

apple.news

 

[THil08]

China China China. Come on USA!

China Went All-In on EVs — Now It’s Betting on Gas Again — Autoblog

Two of China's biggest automakers are investing heavily in ICE tech, and the efficiency numbers are staggering.

apple.news

Yes they are. Because they want to build a EREV that highly efficient. That will be able to drive over 1500 miles or 2414km. They already have the battery tech that can drive 1000km I read somewhere. Probably a high disposable battery pack that will be dead in 5 years.

 

[THil08]

A Chinese Brand That Makes Robotic Vacuums Has Strapped Rockets to Its Electric Hypercar Concept

If 1876 hp isn't enough, the Dreame Nebula Next 01 Jet Edition concept has two solid-fuel boosters to hit 60 mph in 0.9 second.

www.caranddriver.com

They make the best products. I love my stick vacuum. It’s one of the best stick vacuums I’ve had. Beats my old stick Dyson by a long shot even the new ones don’t stand the chance of my Dreams Stick Vacuum.

And best part is when this car goes into production it’s getting built in Germany, which I believe would mean they could successfully import them to the US.

 

[jeremydunworth]

Just learned about this, which was posted in October 2022

Well, nobody ever accused me of being fast.

If other sources I found are correct, 207 inches long with a crew cab.

 

[THil08]

@Jamie@ScoutMotors https://www.reddit.com/r/Scout/s/AhFkvnZMzh

Do you know anything about this? Maybe you can pop on and easy the topic.

 

[J Alynn]

@Jamie@ScoutMotors https://www.reddit.com/r/Scout/s/AhFkvnZMzh

Do you know anything about this? Maybe you can pop on and easy the topic.

People keep forgetting there is a frunk and if you are planning to live or park in city areas with parallel parking it may be best to not add the tire carrier. It isn’t a required element

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

People keep forgetting there is a frunk and if you are planning to live or park in city areas with parallel parking it may be best to not add the tire carrier. It isn’t a required element

It's a valid concern. A jogging stroller, for example, won't fit in the frunk. A wheelchair won't fit in the frunk. Hockey sticks, bicycles, lumber... Lots of things that are needed in daily life won't fit in the frunk.

Unless the carrier is entirely optional, separate from all trims, options, and packages, then the trims/packages that include/require it become only for people who don't use the trunk in a place they might have to regularly parallel park or back into a parking space.

Also, it's going to be a huge PITA when charging. The combination of the very long swing gate, the rear charging port, and short charging cables on supercharges and some other chargers means many DCFC charger stations could block the spare tire gate from opening. And even when the cable isn't too short, if you want to get into the trunk, you'll have to park so that the charging pod is 3+ feet away from the rear of the vehicle, which could mean the vehicle sticks into the traffic lanes, depending on the specific geometry.

 

[jeremydunworth]

It's a valid concern. A jogging stroller, for example, won't fit in the frunk. A wheelchair won't fit in the frunk. Hockey sticks, bicycles, lumber... Lots of things that are needed in daily life won't fit in the frunk.

Unless the carrier is entirely optional, separate from all trims, options, and packages, then the trims/packages that include/require it become only for people who don't use the trunk in a place they might have to regularly parallel park or back into a parking space.

Also, it's going to be a huge PITA when charging. The combination of the very long swing gate, the rear charging port, and short charging cables on supercharges and some other chargers means many DCFC charger stations could block the spare tire gate from opening. And even when the cable isn't too short, if you want to get into the trunk, you'll have to park so that the charging pod is 3+ feet away from the rear of the vehicle, which could mean the vehicle sticks into the traffic lanes, depending on the specific geometry.

It is also an entirely predictable concern, as I know because when I bought my Scout it had a very heavy duty swing away tire carrier mounted on the rear bumper. I eventually had the tire carrier cut off, because the latch mechanism was cheap, and I immediately discovered the benefits of not having the tire carrier in the way all the time when I wanted to access the truck bed, and at the same time the drawbacks of putting just a 31x10.5 tire in the truck bed.

The obvious solution for me is a hitch mounted swing away tire carrier like the ones sold by Rigd, unfortunately, due to my unique bumper those don't fit my truck right and if I put that particular hitch mounted tire carrier on my rear hitch, I'm not able to open the tailgate without damaging it. That is a problem specific to me.

Hopefully Scout Motors comes up with a good alternative for people who don't want the rear mounted spare tire carrier. An option to put the spare tire in the location it seems they are going to put the gas generator in the EREV model seems like a decent compromise, keep the full size spare, but hide it out of sight and out of the way under the rear floor, and accessible by dropping it from the frame instead of needing to lift it out of the rear cargo area (which was what my Subaru Outback required and meant if I ever needed to access the spare I had to unload practically the whole cargo area. Ugh). This is probably not the best for off roading though, so again, no location for the spare is perfect and if possible different options allowing the spare to be placed where it works best for each individual buyer is the best I can suggest, assuming that can be handled without adding too much cost.

Edit: can the spare tire go in the frunk? The frunk on the Ioniq 5 is pretty much useless, and that hasn't been a problem for me.

 

[maynard]

It's a valid concern. A jogging stroller, for example, won't fit in the frunk. A wheelchair won't fit in the frunk. Hockey sticks, bicycles, lumber... Lots of things that are needed in daily life won't fit in the frunk.

Unless the carrier is entirely optional, separate from all trims, options, and packages, then the trims/packages that include/require it become only for people who don't use the trunk in a place they might have to regularly parallel park or back into a parking space.

Also, it's going to be a huge PITA when charging. The combination of the very long swing gate, the rear charging port, and short charging cables on supercharges and some other chargers means many DCFC charger stations could block the spare tire gate from opening. And even when the cable isn't too short, if you want to get into the trunk, you'll have to park so that the charging pod is 3+ feet away from the rear of the vehicle, which could mean the vehicle sticks into the traffic lanes, depending on the specific geometry.

As much as I like how the spare on the rear looks, I’m starting to think that if it’s not removable I’ll just carry the spare when I want to…. I doubt I’ll be off roading a 60k+ vehicle for quite a while and I can’t think of the last time I needed a spare tire…