Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh revealed the reservation figures during an interview with CNBC at the company’s manufacturing site near Columbia, South Carolina. The company is preparing to introduce two vehicles, the Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV, which are expected to enter full production next year, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028.
The company believes demand could grow substantially before production begins, potentially pushing reservations beyond 400,000. However, Keogh acknowledged that attracting potential customers is only the first challenge. Turning those reservations into confirmed purchases and building a strong order book will be far more important for the company’s long-term success.
“It’s been a consistent drumbeat,” Keogh said, describing the steady interest in Scout’s upcoming vehicles. He suggested that the company could reach more than 400,000 reservations without an especially aggressive marketing campaign.
Nevertheless, Scout is focusing on how much of its initial manufacturing capacity it can secure through actual customer orders before production starts.
Keogh said securing between 12 and 18 months of orders ahead of production would represent a major achievement. Such a backlog would give the company greater confidence as it begins manufacturing and prepares to establish its position in the highly competitive American pickup and SUV markets.
Terra pickup and Traveler SUV attract strong interest
Scout’s reservation figures cover two vehicles designed to revive the identity of an iconic American automotive brand that disappeared decades ago.
The Terra is an electric pickup aimed at buyers looking for a rugged vehicle with modern technology and the utility associated with traditional American trucks. The Traveler, meanwhile, is an SUV designed to combine off-road capability with everyday practicality.
According to Keogh, approximately 75% of the reservations are for the Traveler SUV, suggesting that the larger sport utility vehicle is currently attracting considerably more interest than the pickup.
The company also revealed an important detail about customer preferences: roughly 87% of reservations are for extended-range electric versions rather than conventional battery-only models.
That figure highlights how buyers are approaching electric vehicles differently, particularly in the pickup and SUV categories, where driving distances, towing requirements and access to charging infrastructure can influence purchasing decisions.
Scout plans to offer both fully electric vehicles and extended-range electric vehicles, commonly known as EREVs.
Unlike conventional battery-electric vehicles, EREVs use an onboard combustion engine as a generator to produce electricity when the battery needs additional power. The engine does not directly drive the wheels in the same way as a conventional hybrid powertrain. Instead, electric motors remain responsible for moving the vehicle.
This arrangement allows drivers to experience electric propulsion while having an additional source of electricity available for longer journeys.
The strong preference for extended-range models could prove important for Scout, particularly as American consumers continue weighing the benefits of electric vehicles against concerns about charging availability, long-distance travel and battery range.
$2 billion South Carolina factory approaches completion
Alongside the growing reservation book, Scout is making progress on one of the biggest investments in its future: a manufacturing complex costing more than $2 billion.
The Scout Motors Production Center is being developed near Blythewood, outside Columbia, South Carolina. The facility is expected to become the manufacturing base for the company’s upcoming vehicles and a major part of Volkswagen Group’s broader American strategy.
Scout announced on Thursday that construction had entered its final phase.
The project represents a significant financial commitment at a time when automotive manufacturers are facing enormous pressure to control production costs and determine how quickly electric vehicle demand will expand.
For Scout, completing the factory is essential because reservations alone cannot establish a successful automotive business. The company must build a functioning production operation, maintain manufacturing quality, establish supply chains and deliver vehicles at competitive prices.
The South Carolina facility is expected to support the company’s ambitions to produce vehicles specifically designed for American customers.
Its location also gives Scout an opportunity to establish a manufacturing presence in a state with a growing automotive industry.
The investment could generate additional economic activity through manufacturing jobs, suppliers and supporting businesses. It also reinforces South Carolina’s position as an increasingly important destination for automotive manufacturing.
Why Scout is bringing back an iconic American brand
Scout Motors is not an entirely new automotive name. Its origins go back to the original Scout vehicles produced between 1961 and 1980.
The classic Scout was developed by International Harvester and became known for its rugged construction, practical design and off-road capabilities. It developed a loyal following among American motorists and became an important part of the country’s four-wheel-drive vehicle history.
Volkswagen acquired the rights associated with the Scout name and announced plans to revive the brand as an electric vehicle manufacturer in 2022.
The original strategy was to launch an exclusively electric lineup, allowing Volkswagen to expand its presence in the United States through a distinctly American brand.
However, the electric vehicle market did not develop as quickly as some manufacturers had anticipated. Higher vehicle costs, charging concerns and slower consumer adoption prompted Scout to reconsider its original approach.
In October 2024, the company confirmed that it would introduce extended-range versions alongside its fully electric vehicles.
The decision represents a major adjustment in strategy. Rather than relying exclusively on customers willing to purchase battery-only vehicles, Scout is attempting to attract a broader audience that wants electric driving but remains concerned about range limitations.
The fact that approximately 87% of current reservations are for extended-range models suggests that this decision could be central to the company’s commercial success.
Can Scout turn 212,000 reservations into actual sales?
Despite the impressive reservation figure, Scout faces an important challenge familiar to other electric vehicle manufacturers: reservations do not guarantee completed purchases.
The American automotive industry has witnessed several highly anticipated electric vehicles attract enormous initial interest without converting all those expressions of interest into actual sales.
Ford’s F-150 Lightning and Tesla’s Cybertruck are examples of electric pickups that generated considerable excitement before their market launches. However, strong early interest does not automatically translate into sustained sales volumes.
Reservations can be cancelled, customers can change their preferences, and economic conditions can influence purchasing decisions before a vehicle reaches showrooms.
This is why Keogh is placing greater emphasis on securing confirmed orders rather than simply increasing the reservation count.
His ambition to establish a 12-to-18-month order backlog before production begins reflects the importance of building predictable demand.
For a new automotive manufacturer, that could make a substantial difference. Producing vehicles without sufficient customer demand can create expensive inventory problems, while a strong order book can help manufacturers plan production schedules and manage their finances.
Scout will also face competition from established automakers that already have manufacturing experience, extensive dealership networks and established relationships with American truck buyers.
Pricing, performance, reliability, charging capabilities and the availability of extended-range technology will all influence whether potential customers eventually complete their purchases.
Volkswagen’s bigger American ambitions
Scout’s progress is also significant for its parent company, Volkswagen Group.
The German automotive giant has struggled to establish the same level of influence in the American market enjoyed by some domestic competitors. Reviving Scout provides an opportunity to approach US consumers through a brand with historical American roots rather than relying exclusively on Volkswagen’s existing identity.
The Terra and Traveler are being developed specifically around the preferences of American buyers, particularly those interested in larger vehicles and off-road capabilities.
The combination of a familiar brand name, American manufacturing and extended-range electric technology could give Scout a distinctive position in the market.
However, the company still needs to prove that it can deliver vehicles on schedule and at prices customers are willing to pay.
With approximately 212,000 reservations, a potential target of more than 400,000 and construction of its $2 billion manufacturing centre nearing completion, Scout Motors has generated considerable expectations ahead of its launch.
The real test will begin when production starts. If Scout can convert its reservation numbers into actual purchases, maintain manufacturing quality and deliver vehicles that meet customer expectations, the revived brand could become a significant competitor in America’s electric pickup and SUV market.
