VW dealers / NADA may sue to change Scout's direct-to-customer business plan

[Scout997]

The workaround has always been to build a “new” brand. Ford messed up by trying to do it all in the Model E program, that relied on existing dealers giving up control of pricing.

Short of some monumental screw up I can’t imagine VW has any sort of deal with the dealer network prohibiting direct sales.

 

[DaveM]

The workaround has always been to build a “new” brand. Ford messed up by trying to do it all in the Model E program, that relied on existing dealers giving up control of pricing.

Short of some monumental screw up I can’t imagine VW has any sort of deal with the dealer network prohibiting direct sales.

This is absolutely correct. And likely one of the biggest reasons (besides brand recognition / cachet) that VW decided to launch Scout Motors by creating a separate company that operates independently from Volkswagen.

I'm also confident that VW dealerships won't win this one and we'll see Scout able to sell direct to customer (except certain states, like Tesla and Rivian).

 

[JBcap787]

It is nice to skip the annoying salespeople but it is a nightmare not being able to schedule a repair in a few days! I am waiting 4 months for an appt with Rivian. The service is the MAJOR downfall for no dealres.

 

[Bender]

It amazes me that all of these legacy dealerships are crying that they can't sell EVs, that customers don't want EVs, and that manufacturers should stop forcing EVs onto dealerships. They push politicians to try to stop the EV movement from growing, YET every time a company wants to sell EVs directly to the consumer, they have a fit & try to force the company to sell through their dealerships. It's like having horse & buggy salesmen trying to force ICE car makers to only make horse & buggies - BUT if they are trying to sell cars directly to the public, then they must be sold through the horse & buggy outlets. They are trying to keep their monopoly in horse & buggies, while we want to move on to something better.

This is what drives me nuts. I see EV trophy vehicles hidden in the corner of the lot, because dealers aren’t interested in trying to sell/market them, let alone generate new interest

 

[Bender]

It is nice to skip the annoying salespeople but it is a nightmare not being able to schedule a repair in a few days! I am waiting 4 months for an appt with Rivian. The service is the MAJOR downfall for no dealres.

Yeah I’m hoping Scout can announce a partnership with one or more service networks that already exist, even if they have to get creative (e.g. Navistar, Bosch, Starbucks - just kidding on that one)

 

[KarlT]

I understand not wanting to pay an extra $10,000 and I won’t do it, but otherwise I’m not giving up on a great vehicle just to avoid going to a dealership.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

It is nice to skip the annoying salespeople but it is a nightmare not being able to schedule a repair in a few days! I am waiting 4 months for an appt with Rivian. The service is the MAJOR downfall for no dealres.

You don't need a dealer to get service.

What Scout should do is create a set of SAE courses and certifications so ANY service station can become certified to work on a Scout. I would rather go to my neighborhood garage than to a dealer.

 

[JesseS]

You don't need a dealer to get service.

What Scout should do is create a set of SAE courses and certifications so ANY service station can become certified to work on a Scout. I would rather go to my neighborhood garage than to a dealer.

THIS! I have never gone to a Stealer once the warranty period is over and I no longer get free service. I have a neighborhood garage that does awesome work in a timely manner, not taking in your vehicle and letting it sit on the lot for weeks waiting for parts or service bay space. I spoke to the owner about what he thought of the Scout and he loved it, wished he could get certified to service it.

 

[Scout Fan]

You don't need a dealer to get service.

What Scout should do is create a set of SAE courses and certifications so ANY service station can become certified to work on a Scout. I would rather go to my neighborhood garage than to a dealer.

Best idea ever! Don't limit service and repairs to only the Scout Stores / Service Centers that will take a while to build out for good nationwide coverage. Turn any potential neighborhood garage into a potential service center and you'd see flocks of people coming over from Rivian side, which is experiencing significant issues keeping up with owner's service and repair needs.

 

[MC242x]

Honestly I'll just buy a Rivian R2 instead if I have to deal with VW dealers.

 

[Anjnasm2024]

This is so silly. I have friends who work at VW dealers and they’re pissy. Who said that this was ever going to be a thing? Did someone tell you “When Scout vehicles are sold they’ll be sold through VW dealers?” And they said… well no, no one did. Exactly. This was a hope and a prayer that the dealers had convinced themselves of and now that someone said no they’re mad about something that never existed. It’s like them being mad that VW won’t let them sell Rivian’s. this will never take. Scout isn’t VW, they’re VWAG.

 

[Trailguide79]

Best idea ever! Don't limit service and repairs to only the Scout Stores / Service Centers that will take a while to build out for good nationwide coverage. Turn any potential neighborhood garage into a potential service center and you'd see flocks of people coming over from Rivian side, which is experiencing significant issues keeping up with owner's service and repair needs.

Candidly between Midas, and Firestone complete auto care, there is essentially one in every city, well over 1,700 locations…..I am surprised that I haven’t heard a whisper of either trying to get ahead of this with Rivian, and certainly by the time Scout’s are part of regular traffic.

 

[Trailguide79]

This is so silly. I have friends who work at VW dealers and they’re pissy. Who said that this was ever going to be a thing? Did someone tell you “When Scout vehicles are sold they’ll be sold through VW dealers?” And they said… well no, no one did. Exactly. This was a hope and a prayer that the dealers had convinced themselves of and now that someone said no they’re mad about something that never existed. It’s like them being mad that VW won’t let them sell Rivian’s. this will never take. Scout isn’t VW, they’re VWAG.

I agree, and

Frankly this is using the press for Free advertising……….and since it’s not BAD publicity, its getting the brand name out, as we can reasonably presume VW Auto Group will have the best legal representation nearly anywhere.

after all Scout would be better suited with Audi or Porsche dealers.

 

[timmyhil]

If i was scouts attorney in this stupid lawsuit. I would ask when have you seen a VW dealership selling new Lamborghinis, Porsches, or Audis? Never. Because they are their own brand and so is Scout Motors so we deserve to sell our Off Roaders how we want.

 

[VolInGa]

Do VW dealers now assume they should be able to sell Audis, Porsches and Lambos just because they fall under the VAG umbrella. Honestly, as 40+ year VW owner, their dealers are one of, if not the biggest, failure the brand has. As others have said, I’ll cancel my deposit if I need to buy from a VW dealer.