Volkswagen’s Scout EV ute could possibly be constructed by iPhone producer – report

Volkswagen appears to be in search of exterior assist in its revival of the Scout model for an all-electric pickup truck and SUV aimed on the US market.

Sources have advised Automobilwoche the German automaker is in talks with Foxconn — the contract producer most well-known for producing the Apple iPhone — about manufacturing the Scout vary.

The German commerce publication believes Volkswagen can be in discussions with Magna-Steyr, which produces the Fisker Ocean and Jaguar I-Tempo EVs at its manufacturing unit in Graz, Austria.

Ought to Volkswagen resolve to go together with Foxconn, it is going to profit from US manufacturing of the Scout. Beneath the principles of the Biden administration’s not too long ago handed infrastructure invoice, American produced EVs which have sufficient native parts will be offered with federal tax credit that cut back the acquisition worth by as much as US$7500 ($11,500).

The automaker has neither confirmed nor denied the accuracy of the report.

“We’re more than happy with the progress the Scout group is making and with the keenness it’s already producing amongst present followers and future clients,” a Volkswagen spokesman advised Automobilwoche.

Volkswagen got here into possession of the Scout title in 2021 when its Traton truck division purchased Navistar, the dad or mum firm of Worldwide Harvester, the corporate which constructed the Jeep-style Scout utes and SUVs from 1961 to 1980.

Foxconn at the moment owns and operates a automotive plant in Lordstown, Ohio.

It began out life as a GM manufacturing unit, producing among the firm’s smaller fashions, together with the Chevrolet Cavalier, Cobalt and, lastly, the Cruze. It was offered in 2019 to startup EV automaker Lordstown Motors, with GM loaning Lordstown round US$40 million ($62 million) to assist finance the acquisition.

After Lordstown bumped into monetary difficulties, it offered the ability to Foxconn in 2021 for US$230 million ($360 million). Foxconn started manufacturing of the Lordstown’s Endurance EV pickup in September this yr.

The primary member of the Scout vary, an electrical ute, is scheduled to enter manufacturing in 2026. It gained’t be based mostly on the prevailing MEB structure that underpins the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3, ID. 4, and ID. Buzz, in addition to Cupra Born, Audi This autumn e-tron, and Skoda Enyaq.

The Scout ute and SUV will probably be based mostly on the R-SUV “new technical platform idea”, however Volkswagen has but to supply extra particulars concerning the structure.

It’s unclear if the talks between Volkswagen and Foxconn lengthen to platform sharing.

The Taiwanese agency unveiled its intention to increase its contract manufacturing enterprise into vehicles in 2020 when it previewed a modular EV structure that could possibly be utilized by new and present manufacturers.

It has since launched the Foxtron model, with the primary automobile, the Mannequin C crossover, as a consequence of go on sale in Taiwan from the second half of 2023. Will probably be adopted by the smaller Mannequin B crossover and bigger Mannequin V pickup truck.

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