Scout Is Building the Anti-Tesla. | MotoMan Podcast # 033

Is Scout Motors building the anti-Tesla? While Tesla, Rivian and other automakers embrace futuristic electric vehicles, Scout Motors is taking the opposite approach: physical buttons, traditional truck engineering, a solid rear axle and less technology between the driver and the road. In this episode of the MotoMan Podcast, Scout Motors Chief Design Officer Chris Benjamin reveals the strategy behind the Scout Traveler SUV and Scout Terra pickup truck. Benjamin, whose career includes BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Jeep, explains why Scout is rejecting modern EV design trends, how Volkswagen Group influences the company, and why a gasoline range extender could change the electric truck equation. He also reveals why he rejected Scout's original design direction and had just three weeks to present an alternative. Can the future of electric trucks succeed by going backwards? CHAPTERS00:00 – Why Scout Is Building the Anti-Tesla 01:51 – Chris Benjamin Returns to MotoMan 02:15 – From Startup to Scout Traveler and Terra 03:06 – Bringing Back the Original Scout DNA 04:27 – Why Scout Rejects Modern Styling Trends 06:33 – What Jeep Taught Scout's Design Chief 09:46 – Real Off-Road Experience vs Studio Design 12:03 – Building a Startup Inside Volkswagen Group 14:18 – Scout's Small Team and Big Ambitions 15:12 – Why Scout Added a Gasoline Range Extender 17:29 – Designing a Real Electric Off-Road Truck 19:18 – How Scout Plans to Differentiate From Rivian 20:36 – Why Scout Chose a Solid Rear Axle 21:29 – Rejecting the High-Tech EV Experience 23:22 – Are Automakers Finally Abandoning Touchscreens? 24:41 – Physical Buttons, Switches and a Real Compass 26:13 – Does Volkswagen Control Scout's Design? 28:12 – How Much Freedom Does Scout Really Have? 29:40 – Europe's Reaction to the American Scout 32:13 – Three Leadership Lessons From Chris Benjamin 33:01 – Why Benjamin Rejected Scout's Original Design 34:30 – Designing for the Original Scout Community 35:40 – Why Scout Isn't Building a V8 37:19 – Building and Trusting the Scout Design Team 40:25 – Leadership, Autonomy and Corporate Culture 41:30 – How Fatherhood Changed His Leadership Style 43:13 – The Importance of Raising Debt-Free Children #ScoutMotors #ScoutTraveler #ScoutTerra #ChrisBenjamin #MotoManPodcast #ElectricTrucks #ElectricVehicles #Volkswagen #Rivian #Tesla #AutomotiveDesign #OffRoadFor driving adventures & car reviews, before sure to visit us @https://www.youtube.com/@MMTVCars Download the MotoManTV Podcast @ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/motomantv-podcast/id1836304387https://open.spotify.com/show/0V4AKzLYrZc6rNCF23kwOthttps://music.amazon.com/podcasts/90ba9b31-fe69-4baf-817d-cb3816a33c21/motomantv-podcast Connect with our Short Form content here:https://www.instagram.com/motomantv/https://x.com/MotoManTVhttps://www.tiktok.com/@themotomantvhttp://www.YouTube.com/@MMTVPodcastShortshttp://www.YouTube.com/@MMTVPodcastClipshttp://www.YouTube.com/@MMTVCarsShortshttp://www.YouTube.com/@MMTVCarsClips Help us grow the show! If you enjoyed this deep dive into the "grind" of motorsport, please Subscribe and Share this episode on Reddit. If you’re listening on a podcast platform, leave us a written review and tell us who your favorite guest has been. Proudly shot on Sony’s Cinema line of Cameras