- Scout says customers will be able to handle 80% of repair types at home or even out in a field
- The company is designing its vehicles with components that are easily accessible
- The company also plans repair guides and manuals that are easily accessible
During last year’s reveal of its Terra pickup and Traveler SUV, Volkswagen Group’s new EV brand, Scout, announced that it was developing the vehicles in a way that would enable 80% of repair types to be handled outside of the company’s planned service centers.
Scout Motors Strategy Director Ryan Decker recently shared more details about the approach in an interview with The Drive during this week’s 2025 CES event in Las Vegas.
Scout Terra concept
He explained that the key is making vehicle components easily accessible and replaceable, such as by using screws—a concept some might perceive as old-school in a world where automakers are increasingly using adhesives and exploring gigacasting. Gigacasting involves replacing smaller individual parts with a few large cast components. While this approach can enhance production efficiency and vehicle rigidity, it will likely make repairs more complex and expensive.
The emphasis on accessibility extends to the exterior design as well. Decker revealed that the design team initially considered integrated bumpers, but based on feedback, opted for a design that wouldn’t require removing an entire side panel to fix a small dent—a feature that fans of the Jeep Wrangler will likely appreciate.
Scout Traveler concept
“[Scout owners] want to touch these cars, they want to fix them, they want to accessorize them,” Decker told The Drive. “They want to occasionally take the front bumper off so they can go bouldering.”
Decker also mentioned that Scout plans to offer “transparent” repair guides and manuals for its vehicles, contrasting many modern EVs, which he described as “black boxes” that limit what owners can do themselves.
Scout Traveler concept
The Scout lineup takes inspiration from the original International Harvester Scouts, which were produced from 1961 to 1980. VW Group acquired the intellectual property in 2020 as part of its purchase of Navistar, the successor to International Harvester. The Terra and Traveler are scheduled for launch in 2027, and Scout is already exploring additional models for the lineup. Production will take place at a new plant in South Carolina.
The vehicles will use a dedicated EV platform developed in-house. The targeted range on battery power alone is approximately 350 miles, but Scout will offer a gas range extender to increase total range to about 500 miles.
Pricing is expected to start at $60,000.