Scout Launch Delayed to 2028: Report [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS]

[Yossarian]

I'm still hopeful for my Aptera. If I get one, my goal is to literally never plug it in.

I think there is a use case for the Aptera as a commuter and around-town vehicle. The ability to self-charge, even if only partially is also an attraction. Not sure I'll actually convert my pre-order even if Aptera does finally get to market, something that is still very much in doubt, but given that the deposit was $75, there's not a lot financial pain in either case.

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[MountainBikeDude]

I've wondered how exactly Scout was planning to generate enough power given the size of the EREV engine they had placed in the rear, under the bed of the truck.

Harvester Scout variant to me always seemed like a small 50kW generator in the rear, which might be enough to give you some added range overall, but towing, paired with a small battery, you'd probably be stuck charging and refueling at every stop, rather than just topping off a gas tank. If that's the case, then what's the point?

For reference, here is the Ram EREV and it has a full sized engine under the hood to power the electric drivetrain etc. while delivering 14,000lbs of towing capability. This makes logical sense to me from a EREV standpoint.

 

[DuoRivian]

I've wondered how exactly Scout was planning to generate enough power given the size of the EREV engine they had placed in the rear, under the bed of the truck.

Harvester Scout variant to me always seemed like a small 50kW generator in the rear, which might be enough to give you some added range overall, but towing, paired with a small battery, you'd probably be stuck charging and refueling at every stop, rather than just topping off a gas tank. If that's the case, then what's the point?

For reference, here is the Ram EREV and it has a full sized engine under the hood to power the electric drivetrain etc. while delivering 14,000lbs of towing capability. This makes logical sense to me from a EREV standpoint.

It seems it was not thought out and was quickly added before the reveal. Hence the delays and the non denial denial they posted which confirms the delays. They will not come out and say it’s delayed because people will then start pulling reservations but Scout is unlikely to make it and VW will repurpose the factory to a different brand. The market for Scout was always niche and given how low R1T sales are the Scout truck was going to do worse.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

It seems it was not thought out and was quickly added before the reveal. Hence the delays and the non denial denial they posted which confirms the delays. They will not come out and say it’s delayed because people will then start pulling reservations but Scout is unlikely to make it and VW will repurpose the factory to a different brand. The market for Scout was always niche and given how low R1T sales are the Scout truck was going to do worse.

You know what kinda sucks... As an R1T owner, I'm a bit offended by it's poor sales. It's the best driving platform Rivian has, is extremely versatile and well thought out, Gear tunnel alone is epic. I understand the popularity of the R1S, but even as a family, having lived with and camped with an R1S for 2 weeks, my wife and I both hands down preferred the R1T for its storage etc and remarked as much when we got it back. And we've always had SUV's.

 

[strykerwsu]

You know what kinda sucks... As an R1T owner, I'm a bit offended by it's poor sales. It's the best driving platform Rivian has, is extremely versatile and well thought out, Gear tunnel alone is epic. I understand the popularity of the R1S, but even as a family, having lived with and camped with an R1S for 2 weeks, my wife and I both hands down preferred the R1T for its storage etc and remarked as much when we got it back. And we've always had SUV's.

I have both, overall R1T modularity for the win but the issue is the 2nd row leg room. R1T needed at least 3 more inches. If truck bed was 4 inches deeper, it would meet almost all needs for 4 passenger and hauling.

 

[shamoo]

You know what kinda sucks... As an R1T owner, I'm a bit offended by it's poor sales. It's the best driving platform Rivian has, is extremely versatile and well thought out, Gear tunnel alone is epic.

I mean it is a pickup truck. Most people don't have a need for it.

For those who do need one, at least half need it for pretty tough/rough things (towing, tossing heavy/bulky things in the bed, etc). Lots of things an R1T owner may hesitate doing, I know I wouldn't want a ton of rocks dumped into my bed by a front end loader.

 

[VandalSibs]

I mean it is a pickup truck. Most people don't have a need for it.

For those who do need one, at least half need it for pretty tough/rough things (towing, tossing heavy/bulky things in the bed, etc). Lots of things an R1T owner may hesitate doing, I know I wouldn't want a ton of rocks dumped into my bed by a front end loader.

Funny you say that - in the first two months owning my R1T, I had at least four full loads of rock and two of bark loaded up in the bed of mine. The guy driving the front-end loader had a nice small scoop that was almost exactly the length of the bed, and was able to drop pretty dang precisely!

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I mean it is a pickup truck. Most people don't have a need for it.

For those who do need one, at least half need it for pretty tough/rough things (towing, tossing heavy/bulky things in the bed, etc). Lots of things an R1T owner may hesitate doing, I know I wouldn't want a ton of rocks dumped into my bed by a front end loader.

I mean it is a pickup truck. Most people don't have a need for it.

For those who do need one, at least half need it for pretty tough/rough things (towing, tossing heavy/bulky things in the bed, etc). Lots of things an R1T owner may hesitate doing, I know I wouldn't want a ton of rocks dumped into my bed by a front end loader.

Granted dumping a ton of rocks into the bed of a pickup sounds extreme, it can be done without damaging the truck. The perceived "precious" nature of an R1T hasn't stopped me from using the truck as I need to. Beyond the photos i've posted, i've also hauled road base, rounds of firewood, towed fallen trees off roads, etc. All of which I'll add, have not damaged my truck nor the bed at all. 3/8 plywood and a tarp can do wonders.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/what-are-you-hauling-or-hauled-in-your-rivian-🦾.36587/post-667210

It probably comes down a perception by buyers that they can't do those things they imagine themselves doing with a truck, when in fact it can, and quite well.
*save for towing long distances quickly.

 

[shamoo]

^^ nice! I'd be too worried haha. I get bothered by every little scratch/mark.

 

[BigSkies]

You know what kinda sucks... As an R1T owner, I'm a bit offended by it's poor sales. It's the best driving platform Rivian has, is extremely versatile and well thought out, Gear tunnel alone is epic. I understand the popularity of the R1S, but even as a family, having lived with and camped with an R1S for 2 weeks, my wife and I both hands down preferred the R1T for its storage etc and remarked as much when we got it back. And we've always had SUV's.

Agreed.

I think Rivian hit the product-market fit sweet spot with the R1S. It's the right blend of luxury + capability + family mover to appeal to a decent sized crowd of people.

I think the sweet spot in the truck market involves less luxury and more functionality. Rivian would have a sales winner with a truck market if they could get something in the general R2 price range. Or even a lower-trim model of the R1T with fewer luxury touches, and maybe a traditional suspension.

When I look at the R2, I'm very reminded of the target market for the 4Runner. There's obvious differences, but it's impossible to not think about cross shopping them. Heck, they're even coming in at a comparable price point. A Tacoma equivalent would take the small/med truck market by storm.

 

[VandalSibs]

Granted dumping a ton of rocks into the bed of a pickup sounds extreme, it can be done without damaging the truck. The perceived "precious" nature of an R1T hasn't stopped me from using the truck as I need to. Beyond the photos i've posted, i've also hauled road base, rounds of firewood, towed fallen trees off roads, etc. All of which I'll add, have not damaged my truck nor the bed at all. 3/8 plywood and a tarp can do wonders.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/what-are-you-hauling-or-hauled-in-your-rivian-🦾.36587/post-667210

It probably comes down a perception by buyers that they can't do those things they imagine themselves doing with a truck, when in fact it can, and quite well.
*save for towing long distances quickly.

Nice pics!

The little plywood thing you have at the front of the bed in one shot...... what is that for?

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Nice pics!

The little plywood thing you have at the front of the bed in one shot...... what is that for?

I think they were just a couple extra pieces I brought with me just in case and just put them against the back of the cab before loading. I ended up cutting a couple rips about 19" high x 52" for the sides of the bed any time I'm hauling gravel, makes it easier to keep the tonneau track clean, and drag the tarp out of the bed.

 

[mkhuffman]

I mean it is a pickup truck. Most people don't have a need for it.

For those who do need one, at least half need it for pretty tough/rough things (towing, tossing heavy/bulky things in the bed, etc). Lots of things an R1T owner may hesitate doing, I know I wouldn't want a ton of rocks dumped into my bed by a front end loader.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Agreed.

I think Rivian hit the product-market fit sweet spot with the R1S. It's the right blend of luxury + capability + family mover to appeal to a decent sized crowd of people.

I think the sweet spot in the truck market involves less luxury and more functionality. Rivian would have a sales winner with a truck market if they could get something in the general R2 price range. Or even a lower-trim model of the R1T with fewer luxury touches, and maybe a traditional suspension.

When I look at the R2, I'm very reminded of the target market for the 4Runner. There's obvious differences, but it's impossible to not think about cross shopping them. Heck, they're even coming in at a comparable price point. A Tacoma equivalent would take the small/med truck market by storm.

On your point about the R2 and 4Runner, it's interesting because prior to preordering my R1T I was looking at a 4Runner/Tacoma. Tacoma interior was a bit too small for me, but the 4Runner hit the mark, but the engine at the time was almost 10 years old. When I happened across a Rivian article, it delivered what I wanted. Something tech forward, but geared toward the weekend adventurer.

 

[VandalSibs]

I think they were just a couple extra pieces I brought with me just in case and just put them against the back of the cab before loading. I ended up cutting a couple rips about 19" high x 52" for the sides of the bed any time I'm hauling gravel, makes it easier to keep the tonneau track clean, and drag the tarp out of the bed.

For some reason I thought that maybe they were a guide to help anyone dropping a load of something in the bed to avoid hitting the rear window. I like you use case though!

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