VW may bring back famous USA Scout SUV name

The International Harvest Scout was in production from 1961 to 1930, as competition to Jeep. Photo: Supplied

Volkswagen wants to build an all-electric off-roader to go up against the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco and they want to name it Scout, a famous SUV from the 1960s.

Originally called the International Harvester Scout, it was built from 1961 to 1980 in the USA as competition to Jeep.

But according to Motortrend.com, Volkswagen Group of America Chief Operating Officer Johan De Nysschen hinted at the rebirth of a Scout four-wheel-drive at a recent press event. 

​​De Nysschen noted the larger Volkswagen Group now owns the rights to the Scout name through its commercial truck division and recognised the heritage and brand equity the name carries with off-roaders.

With Volkswagen shifting its product line to electric vehicles, the reborn Scout wouldn't be a photocopy of the Wrangler or Bronco but instead De Nysschen envisioned something like the upcoming Rivian R1S electric SUV, "at a US$40,000 price point instead of $70,000”, said Motortrend.