One of the most revered names in the SUV industry is the Scout. Volkswagen has announced today, however, that the Scout moniker will return for a new electric off-road vehicle. But hold on a second, Volkswagen? I thought International made scouts. Along with tractors and some work vehicles, International also produced 18-wheelers. However, VW now controls the business that had produced the International Scout.
Volkswagen has held Navistar, the organization that replaced International, since July 2021, and as a result, the Scout name’s trademark rights.
In This Article...
Volkswagen purchased International Harvester, right?
In the year 2021, Volkswagen bought the trucking firm that held the trademark rights to the Scout brand, well known for its work with International Harvester, through a merger. Last October, there were rumors that VW was considering competing with Rivian with its own electric SUV and pickup, known as the Scout. Following a vote by the VW board earlier this month, it was revealed that Scout would become a fully independent brand inside the VW group.
VW plans to release actual, buyable cars in 2026, however the first prototypes may show up as early as 2023. There are currently only profile sketches.
VW has grand aspirations to produce and sell 250,000 of these per year, with all of the manufacturing taking place in brand-new US factories. Additionally, the bodies will travel on a brand-new electric platform.
By the time they arrive, there will be a crowded market for electric SUVs and trucks with off-road capability, Rivian will be selling both SUVs and trucks, the rumored EV Bronco might be for sale, and who knows what Hyundai will have concocted by then.
It’s puzzling why automakers are so excited about electric SUVs that can do significant off-road driving because such large, heavy cars demand powerful batteries. Perhaps they anticipate that those who desire to venture into the wilderness will become more environmentally concerned and steer clear of carbon-burning vehicles. or that SUVs are already the most popular vehicles in the nation. Perhaps brands anticipate that gas costs will remain high or continue to rise, encouraging more consumers to switch to electric vehicles, or perhaps that government restrictions would quickly put an end to internal combustion engines.
Additionally, it has been said that Chevy is experimenting with releasing an electric Blazer to compete with the Bronco. This means that, in a few years, electric motors plus a ton of luxury will allow you to recreate the heyday of 1970s muscle trucks. Quite the world.
Will International bring the Scout back?
In 2026, Volkswagen will reintroduce the Scout as all-electric SUVs and trucks that are based on the International Scout II and are made in the USA.
International: Is it still a business?
Ultimately, the business rebranded as Navistar International Corporation on February 20th, 1986. The “International brand name is still utilized throughout the entire product line, despite a merger and a change of management over time.
What caused International to cease operations?
IH’s final loss of independence in 1984 followed a protracted period of profit margins that were lower than those of its rivals. Even though the truck sector had expanded quickly, IH farm equipment had historically been the company’s main product line. Through acquisitions, the construction equipment division had grown.
When did International cease producing cars?
In 1980, International Harvester ceased producing cars. However, some ardent supporters refuse to accept that the Travelall, the first SUV in history, and the Scout, which it replaced, are no longer in production.
I discovered one of International Harvester’s final products while researching my essay on the company’s history.
motors, Bisio outposts. It has been there since 1949 on Sandy Boulevard, a major road that passes through the eccentric core of Portland, Oregon.
Ernest Bisio, the proprietor of Bisio Motors, described to it as “the last International Harvester dealership that is still in operation, replete with worn-out vintage International Harvester signage and a selection of used Scouts.”
likewise Travelalls. Although Mr. Bisio sold its final new Scout in 1991, eleven years after the end of manufacture, the company is still in operation today to provide repair, restoration, and mail-order parts.
At 89 years old, Mr. Bisio claims that he is busier than ever because the bulk of his customers are looking for work that is more complex than the typical lube and filter job from earlier in his career. He is also a key retailer source.
of Scout and Travelall spare parts, many of which he can still get through Navistar.
Why did International discontinue production of the Scout?
The Scout enjoys the same kind of fan base as Jeep and Ford Bronco. The Scout II was released by International in 1971 after ten years of manufacture. A truck and Suburban-like version were also made with a longer wheelbase. It abandoned the Scout following a devastating strikeat the time, the longest in UAW historyand a dire financial situation.
International and Nissan were negotiating at the time to use Nissan’s four-cylinder engine in a brand-new Scout with a 96-inch wheelbase. That was a stillbirth due to International’s financial situation. Then it was over. In 1985, International changed its name to Navistar and continued to produce large semi-trucks and medium-duty trucks.
Who is Cummins Diesel’s owner?
It’s a popular misconception that automakers like Ford or Chrysler own Cummins. In actuality, Cummins Turbo Technologies is a separate business that produces and sells a whole range of diesel and natural gas-powered engines.
Owner of Peterbilt?
When Pacific Car & Foundry (PACCAR) buys Peterbilt, a partnership that has lasted for more than 60 years officially begins. PACCAR began as a manufacturer of logging and railroad equipment but has now expanded to rank among the biggest producers of commercial vehicles worldwide.
Are trucks from International still produced?
Since 1909, the International Harvester Company (later renamed Navistar International) has produced and sold international trucks (2022).
The trucks were initially advertised to farmers, but due to their quick success, they were also sold to enterprises in cities. Since that time, International trucks have been produced or assembled in the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, the USSR, and Turkey, and sold all over the world.
Between 1941 and 1961, International Harvester also produced a sizable number of military tactical vehicles. These lacked the “International” label. Since 2007, Navistar has produced military tactical trucks. These bear the “International” label. This excludes trucks used by the military.
Six distinct series of medium-duty, heavy-duty, and severe-service trucks with loaded weights ranging from 16,000 to 92,000 pounds (7,300 to 41,700 kg) and up to 140,000 pounds (64,000 kg) with trailers will be sold in international markets in 2019. Additionally, International has traditionally produced a wide variety of specialty and bespoke trucks and chassis.
What about a Scout?
From 1965 to 1996, Ford produced a model line of SUVs under the name Bronco. In order to compete with small SUVs like the Jeep CJ-5 and the International Harvester Scout, it was designed.
Donald Frey and Lee Iacocca created the first Bronco to rival the Jeep CJ as an off-road vehicle. Three distinct body types were available for the first Bronco. It was available as a roadster, half-cab, or station wagon.
The three-door wagon earned favorable reviews right away and amassed far more fame than the other two body types. The roadster was taken off the market in 1968 as a result of its entertaining appearance but poor usability.
Although the half-cab was novel at the time, the market didn’t warm to it. It appeared to be a small pickup. As a result, the half-cab body design was discontinued in 1972.
The four-wheel-drive system included with the three-door body style was made to handle any terrain. Despite entering the market later than Jeep, it quickly became a formidable rival. Many elements that were thought of at the time as comfort benefits were absent from the first Bronco. However, it exuded a sparse appearance that was popular.
A snowplow, a winch, and a posthole digger were just a few of the interesting extras available for the original Bronco. This strengthened the Bronco’s reputation as a versatile, all-terrain vehicle.
In 1974, the Bronco found its zenith and became a success. Ford sold around 26000 Broncos in 1974, which is not surprising. An overview of each generation’s releases is provided below:
- In 1978, Ford introduced the Bronco of the second generation.
- They introduced the third generation in 1980.
- Ford unveiled the Bronco’s fourth generation in 1987.
- In 1992, the Bronco’s fifth and last generation was introduced.
Every iteration of the Bronco until its end in 1996 saw improvement. People’s desire for four-door SUVs, which compelled Ford to create the Expedition, was cited as the reason for this.
Ford is getting ready to introduce the sixth-generation Bronco. The reappearance of it signals exciting times for auto aficionados.
Will Ford build an electric Bronco?
Before starting to sell the gas-powered Bronco two- and four-door midsize SUVs, Ford made its owner’s manual available. The company’s plans to produce a hybrid Bronco for a commercial launch were reiterated in the 550-page original paper. The hybrid type is mentioned twice, once in the section on storing your car and once in the part on scheduled maintenance.
The Bronco Hybrid was discussed in the first section as being idle for longer than 30 days. Owners in this situation should disconnect the auxiliary battery to lessen the stress on the traction battery and maintain the state of charge (SoC) of the traction battery at about 50%.
For your vehicle, we advise the following actions:
The state of charge should be around 50% when parking your car for longer than 30 days. Furthermore, we advise unplugging the 12V battery to lessen system demands on the HV battery.
Ford claims that the state of charge (SoC) may be controlled by the driver and claims that the next Bronco Hybrid is a plug-in model (PHEV).
HEV and PHEV advice regarding the automatic climate control system of the vehicle is mentioned in the 2022 Ford Bronco Owner’s Manual. It states in a succinct note:
When the climate control is turned off, the blower motor for hybrid electric cars (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) may run and you might feel airflow to cool the battery.
How is the Scout name owned by VW?
Volkswagen has struggled to find a way into the lucrative American pickup market, which has long been controlled by the Detroit 3. VW achieved popularity in the country with the Microbus and Beetle. A true off-road SUV like the Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender is also missing.
When VW Group’s Traton truck division acquired Navistar International Corp in 2020, it also inherited the Scout brand name. When International Harvester, which held the Scout brand, went out of business in 1985, Navistar was born.
Five years before the Ford Bronco, in November 1960, the tractor and heavy-duty vehicle manufacturer International Harvester started producing the Scout.
The boxy Scout, one of the first SUVs in the market along with the Jeep CJ, rose to become one of International Harvester’s all-time most well-liked consumer vehicles.
The Scout vehicle series was withdrawn by International Harvester in 1980, ten years before Ford unveiled the Explorer, another light truck that would help the SUV category gain traction.
Light trucks, particularly SUVs, pickup trucks, and crossovers, are among the most successful models in the American auto industry. Ford Motor Company restored the Bronco emblem to great early success, and General Motors has brought back Hummer as an EV brand. And as EV firms like Rivian focus on the electric SUV and pickup sector, a stiff competition is forming.
It is possible to revive cherished nameplates. Ford Motor Firm stated last week that up to 70% of U.S. sales of its newest nameplatesthe Maverick compact truck, Bronco SUV, Bronco Sport crossover, and Mustang Mach-E electric crossovercome from customers who are new to the company.
The Journal stated that VW is aiming to sell up to 250,000 Scout-branded vehicles a year in the United States, with production set to start in 2026.