Terra - 10 Pleas and Desired Options

[DCH]

I have had well over 50 vehicles in the last 50+ years from classics to supercars and I have built, rebuilt, or restored most of them with maybe ¼ being factory new. I have also owned a start-up automobile company that almost made it through the prototype stage with an AMG powered supercar before folding. We had intentions to race a homologated class at Le Mans and even started development of an EV version around 2010. I understand much of what it takes to get a vehicle through the gamut of development including NHTSA, FMVSS, and the EPA and it can break many start-ups. Airbag development alone is insanely expensive and time consuming. Then there is crash testing; virtual and physical models. It never seems to end. So, it is wonderful to see a group of enthusiasts with the backing necessary to succeed. I am really looking forward to the Scout brand and the vision they have.

That said, I have a few suggestions that I hope make it into production.

• The vision, innovations, and styling are on point. Please do not change the prototype so much that it is not recognizable. Ram did this with their EV and it turned into a massive disappointment. The Terra and Traveler are nearly perfect in their current form. The overwhelming positive comments and reviews should be enough feedback to prove these will be winners. In my opinion, refinement rather than change will be the key to success for these models.
• Please find a way to increase the Terra Harvester towing capacity to that of a normal full-sized truck. I canceled my RamCharger and reserved the Scout last November because it had so much more. The Scout originally boasted a 10,000 lb towing capability, but today I saw that towing for the Harvester option reduced it by ½ to only 5,000 lbs. The mid-sized Canyon and Ranger even have more capacity. Extremely sad news for many of us needing towing capacity. This will most likely push me back to the RamCharger. I can only hope this changes for production.
• Since Scout is pulling from VW technologies, an option for electrochromic smart glass to replace the visors for the top of the windshield and top of the side door glass would be a great innovation; 4 controlled areas from the driver's side (driver/passenger windshield/door glass) and passenger areas controlled by the passenger (and rear passenger controls would be a nice option). Additionally, having the ability to make all windows opaque when the vehicle is parked and locked would be a nice anti-theft feature. It would also help protect the interior from UV and keep it a bit cooler when parked in direct sunlight.
• If smart glass is not possible, optional infrared-reflective laminated glass on all windows would be great to reduce heat gain, UV degradation, and help with noise reduction. Corning’s Gorilla Glass for windshield and side glass would be fantastic.
• Please allow the optional 35" wheel to fit in the underbody spare location. Carrying it in the bed is not a desirable option due to UV degradation, theft, and loss of cargo capacity. That said, bed tie-downs for dual spares would be a great feature or option (as well as for fuel canisters).
• An optional digital rearview mirror that would adjust with the seat memory presets would be a nice feature (additionally, the head-up display should adjust with seat presets).
• I like the upper track seen in the Terra bed but, on many occasions, I have required lower tie-down points. Continuing the track near the bed floor would be ideal and making it a strong mount would be appreciated. My F150 tie points are nearly worthless for anything but light loads.
• It would be great to have a pass-through from the bed into the front trunk if it is possible with a body-on-frame design and if the drop rear window does not interfere. The ability to carry some pieces of longer lumber (or other material) without having to worry about legal overhang limits or needing a trailer for small runs would be appreciated.
• I use my current truck to travel. I am 6’-3 and it would be a wonderful feature to be able to sleep comfortably in the cab. In-cab Meraki-style hammock mounting points at 4 corners would also be a great option.
• An option to cool the front trunk would be great when carrying groceries or other items that need to remain cool on a hot day.

Thank you for reading.