Scout Motors, a Volkswagen-backed electric vehicle brand, has announced plans to sell its vehicles directly to consumers, bypassing traditional dealerships. This move is seen as a challenge to the century-old dealership model, which has been criticized for being opaque and frustrating for customers. Scout's digital platform aims to provide a seamless buying experience, allowing customers to purchase accessories, schedule service appointments, and receive information on over-the-air updates.

Scout's CEO, Scott Keogh, emphasized that the company is committed to transparency and customer trust, stating that they want to be "old-school" in their approach. The brand plans to open 25 brick-and-mortar locations across the US within the next five years, where customers can test-drive and purchase Scout vehicles.

However, dealerships have already threatened legal action against Scout Motors, citing concerns about lost revenue and market disruption. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has announced that it will challenge Scout's direct-to-consumer sales model in courts and state legislatures.

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/28/24281884/scout-ev-dealer-sale-direct-to-sales-lawsuit