Scout Motors has big news. More than 212,000 people want to buy its new cars. The company is new. It makes electric trucks and SUVs. An SUV is a big car that can carry a lot of people. The cars are not on the road yet. But the wait list is already very long.
What Happened
Scout Motors shared its numbers on Thursday, November 12. It has about 212,000 reservations. A reservation means a person signs up to buy a car later. Scout has two cars. One is the Terra pickup truck. The other is the Traveler SUV. Most people want the Traveler. About 75 out of every 100 reservations are for the Traveler SUV. Most people also want the range-extended kind. About 87 out of every 100 reservations are for that kind. A range extender is a small gas engine. It charges the battery while you drive. That helps the car go farther.
Scout is building a big factory in South Carolina. The factory costs $2 billion. It is in Blythewood, near Columbia. The factory is about 85% done. Scout will finish building it this year. It will start making cars next year. Full production will start by the end of next year.
Key Numbers
- 212,000 reservations for the Terra truck and Traveler SUV.
- $2 billion factory in Blythewood, South Carolina.
- The factory is about 85% done.
- 87% of reservations are for range-extended models.
- 75% of reservations are for the Traveler SUV.
- Both cars will start at under $60,000.
Why It Happened
People have been signing up since October 2024. That is when Scout first showed the cars. The boss of Scout is Scott Keogh. He thinks the number could double by the time the cars are made. That would be more than 400,000 reservations. Scout is a new name with an old story. Volkswagen owns Scout. Volkswagen is a very big car company from Germany. It brought back the Scout name. The first Scout cars were made many years ago. Now the name is back for electric cars.
People can order a Scout right from the company. They do not need a car dealer. A dealer is a shop that sells cars. Scout plans more than 100 of its own shops. People will be able to see the cars there.
Why It Matters
212,000 reservations is a big number. It shows that many people trust a new car brand. Scout is not a big car maker yet. But its wait list is already long. The cars will start at under $60,000. That is still a lot of money. But it is less than some other big electric trucks. Other new electric car makers have had a hard time. Lucid is another new EV company, and it missed its sales target but got $1.75 billion more from a Saudi fund. Scout will need to build its cars well and on time.
What Happens Next
Scout will finish its factory this year. It will start making cars next year. The first cars will go to the people who signed up first. Scout also plans to open more than 100 shops. The company wants a wait list of 12 to 18 months. That means some people may wait a year or more for a car.
Final Thoughts
Scout is a new name, but it has a big backer. Volkswagen is behind it. The wait list of 212,000 people is a strong start. Now Scout must build the cars and keep its promises. We will watch what happens when the first cars roll out.
Quick Questions
How many reservations does Scout Motors have?
Scout Motors has about 212,000 reservations. Most are for the Traveler SUV.
When will Scout start making cars?
Scout will start making cars next year, in 2027. Full production will start by the end of next year.
How much will a Scout cost?
Both Scout cars will start at under $60,000. That is the starting price.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Sources: CNBC – Scout Motors has 212,000 reservations as $2 billion U.S. plant nears completion; Quartz – Scout Motors has about 212,000 reservations as plant nears completion
Photo: A Scout Terra pickup at the IAA Summit 2025 in Munich. Photo by Matti Blume, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).