Scout Vehicles to Use Engines from Volkswagen Silao Plant

Volkswagen subsidiary Scout Motors, a brand of off-road electric vehicles, will use internal combustion engines produced in Silao, Guanajuato, to offer a greater range in certain variants of its models.

This was announced by the German automaker's CFO, Arno Antlitz, during its most recent quarterly results conference.

The executive did not specify which of the two engines that Volkswagen produces at its Bajío plant will be used as the electricity generator for the Harvester extended range system, although he said that it will be a naturally aspirated, non-turbocharged engine.

Antlitz was questioned about Volkswagen's strategy of prioritizing the launch of the Scout brand at a time that is not so favorable for the electric vehicle market.

The executive defended the decision by assuring that the SUV segment is very lucrative in the United States and that Scout's strategy is not 100% battery electric vehicles.

According to the executive, 80% of the pre-orders registered have opted for the Harvester system, which allows a range of more than 500 miles (804.6 kilometers), which is helping to meet the first volume goals.

Like Stellantis' Ramcharger pickup and Nissan's e-Power models, Scout's Harvester uses an internal combustion engine to generate electricity and recharge the battery that powers the electric motors that drive the vehicles.

Volkswagen produces EA211 and EA888 four-cylinder engines in Silao with 1.5 and 2.0 liter displacement respectively, which it supplies to both the Puebla and Chattanooga, Tennessee assembly plants.

Antlitz said that it is still premature to talk about strategies regarding the tariffs since the automotive group is negotiating directly with the U.S. government on how to lessen the impact of these protectionist measures.

However, he said he was confident that production at both Silao and Puebla could be destined for the European market in the event that exporting to the United States is not feasible.