International Harvester Scout could be revived by VW as electric off-road brand

The International Harvester Scout may be making a comeback as an all-electric off-road brand, under a new plan reportedly being considered by Volkswagen Group management.

According to US publication Motor Trend, Volkswagen America COO Johan De Nysschen told media the company was considering reviving the Scout name, likely to compete with the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco.

Before the Bronco was introduced in 2020, the Wrangler had arguably no direct competitors – but it appears carmakers have woken up to the popularity of smaller, square-bodied off-road vehicles.

The mere possibility of a Volkswagen-derived Scout is the result of a number of corporate acquisitions. In July 2021, Traton, Volkswagen Group’s truck division, merged with Navistar – which was created from the ashes of International Harvester when it went under in 1985, and which owns the rights to the Scout nameplate.

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What isn’t clear is whether the International Harvester badge would be able to be used, with the brand having been bought by Case IH when the company was divided up – though it’s understood Case IH does not own naming rights for passenger vehicles.

International Harvester had a history of manufacturing commercial vehicles dating back to 1907, but the company was best known for the Scout, produced from 1961 to 1980 – predating the Ford Bronco by four years.

While the Scout name is a revival from the past, it seems Volkswagen is looking beyond the current crop of models to the future, envisioning the Scout as an electric vehicle – more akin to the upcoming Rivian R1S SUV, according to De Nysschen.

But the Scout isn't the only battery-powered off-roader with proper heritage, with Mercedes-Benz showing off a fully-electric version of the G-Class earlier this month.

However, De Nysschen was quick to throw cold water on the idea, with the Volkswagen America boss issuing a statement after the story was originally published, which read: “The notion of launching a new product line under the Scout nameplate, is truly speculative and at this time, not reflective [of] any plans, real or imagined.”