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

[maynard]

I think this was a classroom assignment or something. It reads like someone is trying to explain Scouts to someone who knows absolutely nothing about this topic whatsoever, but kind of missed the mark or failed to explain something that would’ve gotten them an A+ instead of a B.

What drove me up a wall was that it starts out with the phrasing “another day, another electric vehicle startup” as though this dude who was ostensibly born after 9/11 has had some wild, storied career with a credible first-person look at the formation and demise of an EV startup. I don’t know if it’s a lack of sleep, I don’t know if it’s because a bullshitter knows bullshit, if it’s the moon or it’s that I ate too many carrots or I mixed carrots with the moon, but there’s no credibility coming from this article full of old news and recycled comparisons that gives this guy permission to make a conspiratorial little elbow jab like this with the reader.

He and every other yellow car journalist can speculate all they like about whether or not Scout’s another me-too trying to cop a Bronco feel or a Rivian reacharound (though I will applaud his 4runner foreplay), but you remember the approaches that come from fresh angles.

I think you are more correct than my AI - BS guess...
I'm thinking this kinda stuff will be less and less as the mules, then test vehicles, followed by pre-production units start getting spotted and *real* news about the scouts abilities begin to spread.
Well, not the BS about the VW dealers I guess, Scout will be dragging those types well into the next decade on their coat tails...

 

[speedrye]

I think this was a classroom assignment or something. It reads like someone is trying to explain Scouts to someone who knows absolutely nothing about this topic whatsoever, but kind of missed the mark or failed to explain something that would’ve gotten them an A+ instead of a B.

What drove me up a wall was that it starts out with the phrasing “another day, another electric vehicle startup” as though this dude who was ostensibly born after 9/11 has had some wild, storied career with a credible first-person look at the formation and demise of an EV startup. I don’t know if it’s a lack of sleep, I don’t know if it’s because a bullshitter knows bullshit, if it’s the moon or it’s that I ate too many carrots or I mixed carrots with the moon, but there’s no credibility coming from this article full of old news and recycled comparisons that gives this guy permission to make a conspiratorial little elbow jab like this with the reader.

He and every other yellow car journalist can speculate all they like about whether or not Scout’s another me-too trying to cop a Bronco feel or a Rivian reacharound (though I will applaud his 4runner foreplay), but you remember the approaches that come from fresh angles.

Truly a sad indictment on automotive "journalism".

 

[Broverlander]

Dear God-somebody please post something. M so bored watching election results.
Not to talk politics but now that SC flipped to Democrat do we think it will help or hurt SM’s causes?

My two cents (that is worth far less than face value):

I'm not sure the SC flip specifically is great for Scout Motors. It's been getting a lot of pro-business stuff from the state and that's less likely to continue in a Democratic controlled state.

But I think nationally, last night was a HUGE win for Scout Motors. First, I think probably because of the recent political environment, Scout has really been pushing the American made agenda. That's a good thing. Manufactured in America with American parts for Americans. That's going to gain you political capital on the right side of the aisle. Second, the EV side of things will get you political capital on the left side of the aisle. I've already read articles this morning predicting that Congress may try to push clean energy incentives again, e.g., EV incentives. While that wouldn't affect me (or anyone who is buying a relatively expensive EV), it's still great for the industry. It spurs competition and innovation!

Long story short, I feel like Scout Motors has positioned itself perfectly. I think it's just dumb luck, but sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

 

[J Alynn]

My two cents (that is worth far less than face value):

I'm not sure the SC flip specifically is great for Scout Motors. It's been getting a lot of pro-business stuff from the state and that's less likely to continue in a Democratic controlled state.

But I think nationally, last night was a HUGE win for Scout Motors. First, I think probably because of the recent political environment, Scout has really been pushing the American made agenda. That's a good thing. Manufactured in America with American parts for Americans. That's going to gain you political capital on the right side of the aisle. Second, the EV side of things will get you political capital on the left side of the aisle. I've already read articles this morning predicting that Congress may try to push clean energy incentives again, e.g., EV incentives. While that wouldn't affect me (or anyone who is buying a relatively expensive EV), it's still great for the industry. It spurs competition and innovation!

Long story short, I feel like Scout Motors has positioned itself perfectly. I think it's just dumb luck, but sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

First of all, concerning the price of copper these days your two cents is actually worth more!
Secondly I have to agree. I read something last week that a couple Dems were trying to push another EV incentive so now it seems more likely so long as we don’t land in a veto everything mindset. I agree on the cost impacting less likelihood which stinks for so much of this. Unless they offer on leases as well then we all lease and purchase outright when the lease is up and even if you pay $800-$1000 more in the long run you walked away with a nice tax credit initially. The bill I read about had combined income and single income caps which I also think need to be raised to get more families trying the EV’s

 

[Broverlander]

Volkswagen's Scout Revival Is Coming To Face-Off With Rivian - Is 1,000 LB-FT Of Torque Enough?

Volkswagen revives the Scout nameplate with massive torque, retro design, and adventure-ready capability. Could this challenge Rivian?

carbuzz.com

In my opinion, that's some pretty sloppy reporting/writing. Like they keep referring to the brand as "Volkswagen." That simply isn't true. Other than providing money, VW from what we've read, has had very little input. It says "we got our first sneak preview of the cars in 2024. Since then, both were shown off at CES 2025, but we haven't heard much since." I don't believe that's true in my opinion. Scout has created an extra concept, made different concepts, posted updates on its factory, has taken them across the Country ... I would not qualify that as not hearing much. I also don't think the reference to the JV between VW and Rivian is even accurate. Let's not even mention "there's talk of a range extender option." Um, that's been confirmed.

This won't be able to be used in a lawsuit against Scout. I won't get into the legalese of it, but trust me, no. It's use would violate all sorts of fundamental legal principles. But the PR effect isn't great and my Spidey-senses are tingling after the TN commission decision. Seems like pretty convenient timing. Given my opinion its lack of quality and lack of original sourcing and instead apparently relying on aggregating, I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't done at the request or behest of some dealer's association as some sort of hit piece. These are my opinions and my opinions only.

 

[speedrye]

I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't done at the request or behest of some dealer's association as some sort of hit piece. These are my opinions and my opinions only.

That's where my brain went too, but it might be wrapped too tightly in tinfoil.

 

[J Alynn]

In my opinion, that's some pretty sloppy reporting/writing. Like they keep referring to the brand as "Volkswagen." That simply isn't true. Other than providing money, VW from what we've read, has had very little input. It says "we got our first sneak preview of the cars in 2024. Since then, both were shown off at CES 2025, but we haven't heard much since." I don't believe that's true in my opinion. Scout has created an extra concept, made different concepts, posted updates on its factory, has taken them across the Country ... I would not qualify that as not hearing much. I also don't think the reference to the JV between VW and Rivian is even accurate. Let's not even mention "there's talk of a range extender option." Um, that's been confirmed.

This won't be able to be used in a lawsuit against Scout. I won't get into the legalese of it, but trust me, no. It's use would violate all sorts of fundamental legal principles. But the PR effect isn't great and my Spidey-senses are tingling after the TN commission decision. Seems like pretty convenient timing. Given my opinion its lack of quality and lack of original sourcing and instead apparently relying on aggregating, I wouldn't be surprised if this wasn't done at the request or behest of some dealer's association as some sort of hit piece. These are my opinions and my opinions only.

Seems plausible. SM has been very aggressive in the influencer and tech portion of getting the word out and hasn’t pulled up to the front door of R&T or the other big magazines so maybe they are a bit frustrated that Scout isn’t catering to them like the big auto manufacturers?

 

[THil08]

Scout has to get in the heart of the new governor or we may never see them. I heard he really opposes Scout Motors. Gotta win this guy over to be like McMaster.

Just a statement, no political agenda here.

 

[J Alynn]

Scout has to get in the heart of the new governor or we may never see them. I heard he really opposes Scout Motors. Gotta win this guy over to be like McMaster.

Just a statement, no political agenda here.

McMaster sure came off as a fan. That is for certain

 

[J Alynn]

Wrapping up this video I found on YouTube. Great job to Shannon on this interview. Kind of offsets the R&T story. In the first five minutes listen to her words. She is VERY selective-it’s cool. And FYI it is a video-the first few minutes is a sound wave and annoyed me but it does flip to video when they start communicating. It’s like 24 minutes but it’s a good watch. Fun to see how SM legal team is planning-at least as much as she could share.
The podcast won’t let me copy and paste so attaching image so you can search it on YouTube