Volkswagen’s Scout off-road electric brand unlikely for Australia

The Volkswagen Group's revived Scout electric four-wheel-drive brand – with ute and SUV models rivalling Rivian and Hummer in the US – is unlikely to be manufactured in right-hand drive for Australia.

Due to go into production in 2026, the revived Scout brand – dormant since 1980 – plans to launch with an off-road electric ute and 4WD SUV designed and built in the US.

Despite the potential popularity of such vehicles in Australia – where utes represent three of the Top 10 vehicles sold so far this year – right-hand-drive versions of the Scout vehicles are not currently planned.

"The Scout is American focused, it's left-hand drive at this point only," Volkswagen Australia commercial vehicles director Ryan Davies told local media at an end-of-year briefing.

"If [Scout] determine that they want to build a right-hand-drive variant, I guarantee you I'll be on a plane straight over there to spruik the case for Australia, because that's a pretty exciting product."

When asked if the Scout models would appeal to customers in Australia, Mr Davies said: "I do, don't you? I think there's plenty of scope.

"They've got a rugged SUV and a pick-up that they're looking at. I know as much as what you do, because that's what I read in the press. I have no other inside information on that.

"But from what we can see [the Scout vehicles] would have good application here in Australia, and should they decide to go to right-hand drive, I think Volkswagen Group Australia [the local importer for VW, Skoda, Cupra and Audi] would be incredibly interested in it."

The Scout vehicles are "totally independent" to an eventual electric version of the new VW Amarok, said Mr Davies, which is expected later this decade.

Competing against everything from Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco petrol 4WDs to electric off-roaders from Rivian and GMC's Hummer, the Scout ute and SUV will be among the largest vehicles sold by Volkswagen in the US.

The first prototypes are due to be unveiled next year, ahead of a start to mass production of customer vehicles in 2026 – underpinned by a unique Scout-specific platform designed by the company in the 'States.