What does the base model look like to you?

[Chavannigans]

When you think of a base model Scout with no add-ons, what does it look like to you?

The slate has hand-crank windows as a standard feature, but it will also start at half the price of the Scout Traveler.

Should we expect rubber floors and vinyl seats, or do you think leather seats and full sized media screens will be standard?

What are some corners that Scout Motors could cut to get government defense or LEO contracts?

What is the bare minimum we should expect for our hard earned dollars?

Share your thoughts on the bare bones Scout,

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I can imagine a truly base option that could probably get the cost down to $35k or so:

• Hand crank windows
• 7” infotainment screen
• Few remote features
  • Except for the “fleet” package, which has a pile of features for the fleet manager to do things like monitor where the vehicle has gone, keep track of its maintenance schedule, its energy usage, etc.
• Basic plastic bumper covers
• non-color-matched exteriors: bumpers, mirrors, fender covers, etc. are black
• 32” all-seasons on 18” steel wheels
• Solid roof
• Non-matrix headlights (just high/low) and no auto dimming feature
• Vinyl or simple cloth seats
• Monotone, hard plastic interior
• Mechanical bench seat
• Solid rear window
• Rear wheel drive (no front motor)
• No locking differential
• Standard range battery (270-300 miles range on the BEV)
  • ER battery optional
• Power outlets optional
• No air compressor
• Basic white, black, and grey color options
• Spring/strut suspension rather than air
• No V2x option

Probably a few things I’m not thinking of right now.

 

[J Alynn]

To me base is what you would get on 90% of new cars being offered today. While Slate may be offering manual windows, etc.. the majority want auto. And having two completely different set-up-even for gov vehicles adds cost and complexity.
I could see:
-Manual seats-though only for fleet vehicles and again most people want power with at least 2 memory if not 3
-metal roof
-basic vinyl or cloth seats
-rubber interior floors/liners
-UX screen but dumbed down packaging of features-gov employees don’t need Netflix connection or most other entertainment-basic radio (though that then brings in -likely-a third speaker format so again more complexity)
-smaller base battery pack. I’m still not convinced 350 mile range will be base. I’m guessing 280-290.
-basic tire package

This is all stuff I think for gov/fleet packages. I don’t see a ton of savings on any electronics because it’s already baked into the system-just don’t think gov/fleet needs it. So you look at most midlevel suv/trucks and that’s what I also expect as base for the general public. I’d also comparably say what you get in a new rental car this day and age could be the base level but most newer rentals include quite a few niceties.
And in line with what @SpaceEVDriver suggested

 

[Chaz26]

When you think of a base model Scout with no add-ons, what does it look like to you?

The slate has hand-crank windows as a standard feature, but it will also start at half the price of the Scout Traveler.

Should we expect rubber floors and vinyl seats, or do you think leather seats and full sized media screens will be standard?

What are some corners that Scout Motors could cut to get government defense or LEO contracts?

What is the bare minimum we should expect for our hard earned dollars?

Share your thoughts on the bare bones Scout,

I’d be thinking maybe:

-cloth/vinyl seats
-no memory seats
-no heated or ventilated seats
-lower sound system quality/less speakers or sub.
-33” wheels maybe with all season rather than off road tires
-less options in the infotainment screen and possibly a smaller screen
-smaller battery maybe with 300 miles epa instead of 350
-solid roof

It should still hopefully be a decent spec if they’re aiming for the base to be only just under $60k.

 

[cyure]

I’d be thinking maybe:

-cloth/vinyl seats
-no memory seats
-no heated or ventilated seats
-lower sound system quality/less speakers or sub.
-33” wheels maybe with all season rather than off road tires
-less options in the infotainment screen and possibly a smaller screen
-smaller battery maybe with 300 miles epa instead of 350
-solid roof

It should still hopefully be a decent spec if they’re aiming for the base to be only just under $60k.

Exactly. We are talking about a $60k base. I think the “base” wording is giving a negative connotation. It’s really different trim levels. I see the Scout having a couple different trim levels.

This is just me spitballing here but an onroad trim, which would be less expensive because it would have smaller tires, no off road suspension, no off road bumpers or winches,
Etc.

Then you have the off road appearance package.

Then an off road package.

As options I would imagine solid roof is standard with an up charge for cabana or glass.

Wheel and tire packages. There will be a “standard”’wheel and tire that’s included and you can add larger tires and different wheels for a cost.

Upgrades in interior materials but for $60 I see some sort of leather being standard. BMWs are in that range for a base and when have you ever seen a BMW with cloth seats.

And then you will have the hardcore offroad options like winches and brush guards that will be extra.

And at a $60k starting price I see power seats and heated seats and a large screen being standard.

Heck my son’s $25k Hyundai venue has heated seats.

Again, just me talking here, but I say trim level, not base.

 

[dreamweaver]

Exactly. We are talking about a $60k base. I think the “base” wording is giving a negative connotation. It’s really different trim levels. I see the Scout having a couple different trim levels.

This is just me spitballing here but an onroad trim, which would be less expensive because it would have smaller tires, no off road suspension, no off road bumpers or winches,
Etc.

Then you have the off road appearance package.

Then an off road package.

As options I would imagine solid roof is standard with an up charge for cabana or glass.

Wheel and tire packages. There will be a “standard”’wheel and tire that’s included and you can add larger tires and different wheels for a cost.

Upgrades in interior materials but for $60 I see some sort of leather being standard. BMWs are in that range for a base and when have you ever seen a BMW with cloth seats.

And then you will have the hardcore offroad options like winches and brush guards that will be extra.

And at a $60k starting price I see power seats and heated seats and a large screen being standard.

Heck my son’s $25k Hyundai venue has heated seats.

Again, just me talking here, but I say trim level, not base.

I like how you slid in that "off road appearance package."

 

[Chavannigans]

Theoretically we might be getting mid to premium “trim levels” at launch and a cheaper version with less features could come later for higher volume sales.

I was thinking about the Lucid Gravity and it currently is only available in their Grand Touring trim at launch, and the two lower trims still aren’t available. Which prompted me to ask the question.

Scout plans to sell a ton of these every year and it will be a challenge if $60k is the floor if they want to sell vehicles to small businesses, contractors, or farmers. etc that may not necessarily want/need all the standard features available at launch.

 

[cyure]

I like how you slid in that "off road appearance package."

See how I did that.

 

[cyure]

Theoretically we might be getting mid to premium “trim levels” at launch and a cheaper version with less features could come later for higher volume sales.

I was thinking about the Lucid Gravity and it currently is only available in their Grand Touring trim at launch, and the two lower trims still aren’t available. Which prompted me to ask the question.

Scout plans to sell a ton of these every year and it will be a challenge if $60k is the floor if they want to sell vehicles to small businesses, contractors, or farmers. etc that may not necessarily want/need all the standard features available at launch.

I hear what you are saying but I just go back to Rivian and Tesla. At launch the vehicles came in higher than that figure they stated at reveal and it was not ideal.

 

[dreamweaver]

I hear what you are saying but I just go back to Rivian and Tesla. At launch the vehicles came in higher than that figure they stated at reveal and it was not ideal.

Rivian reversed its decision to raise prices for customers who had preordered their R1T and R1S vehicles before March 1, 2022, honoring the original prices after facing backlash. This decision was made to restore trust with their customers following significant price increases that had been announced

 

[cyure]

Rivian reversed its decision to raise prices for customers who had preordered their R1T and R1S vehicles before March 1, 2022, honoring the original prices after facing backlash. This decision was made to restore trust with their customers following significant price increases that had been announced

Exactly. I remember it made the news in town. The CEO apologized and was asking people to please take their reservations back and they wouldn’t lose their original place in line.

We dont need that happening with Scout. It’s not a good look.

 

[R1TVT]

Exactly. I remember it made the news in town. The CEO apologized and was asking people to please take their reservations back and they wouldn’t lose their original place in line.

We dont need that happening with Scout. It’s not a good look.

Rivian experienced uncontrollable market & labor conditions with the pandemic just when they were launching, then of course had to deal with a massive supply chain shortage, as a result. They weren't trying to bait and switch, and as a business, they were seeking to cover costs that were beyond their own control, which resulted from broader macro forces (not due to poor planning or internal factors). They were in an extremely tough spot, and a much tougher spot than Tesla (as a brand new company with no other off-sets to rely on). Given how everything played out with Rivian, they paid a heavy price to ensure that their early reservation holders were happy. The cost was selling vehicles at a loss - but they gained tremendous amounts of trust and confidence as a result. They entire launch should be a HBS case study. There were so many variables at play. They are still climbing out of that hole. The R2 / R3 launch can't come soon enough for Rivian, but now of course you have political forces creating headwinds, despite EV growth.

 

[cyure]

Rivian experienced uncontrollable market & labor conditions with the pandemic just when they were launching, then of course had to deal with a massive supply chain shortage, as a result. They weren't trying to bait and switch, and as a business, they were seeking to cover costs that were beyond their own control, which resulted from broader macro forces (not due to poor planning or internal factors). They were in an extremely tough spot, and a much tougher spot than Tesla (as a brand new company with no other off-sets to rely on). Given how everything played out with Rivian, they paid a heavy price to ensure that their early reservation holders were happy. The cost was selling vehicles at a loss - but they gained tremendous amounts of trust and confidence as a result. They entire launch should be a HBS case study. There were so many variables at play. They are still climbing out of that hole. The R2 / R3 launch can't come soon enough for Rivian, but now of course you have political forces creating headwinds, despite EV growth.

Exactly! It was out of their control and they did right by their customers. And from everything I see online once people buy a Rivian they love it.

Honestly wish they had made the R3 first. I love the Scout but that R3 is my second choice.

 

[R1TVT]

Exactly! It was out of their control and they did right by their customers. And from everything I see online once people buy a Rivian they love it.

Honestly wish they had made the R3 first. I love the Scout but that R3 is my second choice.

That is definitely going to sell - that R3X is going to be a fun car to drive for sure.

 

[Chavannigans]

I hear what you are saying but I just go back to Rivian and Tesla. At launch the vehicles came in higher than that figure they stated at reveal and it was not ideal.

Yeah as @R1TVT stated it was out of Rivians hands. Not really a good example.

 

[dreamweaver]

Yeah as @R1TVT stated it was out of Rivians hands. Not really a good example.

Even without all the trouble it is not a new situation. Manufacturers often set initial prices before gauging public interest, which can lead to price changes before the official launch.

 

[Cherrios111]

Exactly. I remember it made the news in town. The CEO apologized and was asking people to please take their reservations back and they wouldn’t lose their original place in line.

We dont need that happening with Scout. It’s not a good look.

Although I can appreciate why Rivian had to announce the price increases, they made several production setup issues which also contributed to the price increase and tried to pass that down to the early reservations. So, the apology did not sit genuinely with me and I cancelled my reservation back in early 2022. I certainly think Scout and other OEMs took notice that many of us did not settle into their brand. Consumer confidence is important to me.

 

[cyure]

Although I can appreciate why they had to announce the price increases, they made several production setup issues which also contributed to the price increase and tried to pass that down to the early reservations. So, the apology did not sit genuinely with me and I cancelled my reservation back in early 2022. I certainly think Scout and other OEMs took notice that many of us did not settle into their brand. Consumer confidence is important to me.

I’m sure the price will go up at some point. Prices always do. But for us reservation holders that will have been with them for years at that point it should start at what was revealed at launch. Yes trim levels and options will add to the price, they always do, but have a model that’s starts where they said it would.

 

[cyure]

Oh how about this idea. It would make sense that Scout needs to convert as many reservations to orders as possible. What about offering a discount to anyone who converts their reservation to an order within let’s say the first 30 days after the ordering system becomes available.

 

[bakdraft8231]

I just hope they give as many option choices as Porsche does, when you dont have the choices people move to other brands that do, its what I did in buying my Cayenne instead of the Audi...