DEALERS FILE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST VW, SCOUT MOTORS

[GBaby708]

https://news.dealershipguy.com/p/de...on-lawsuit-against-vw-scout-motors-2026-03-04

Plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial, monetary damages, legal fees, and an injunction against Scout to stop it from selling vehicles directly to consumers.

 

[joewilk45]

Listen I said earlier that most people felt more secure putting their 100 dollar deposit down on the new Scout start up because of VW's affiliation correct ? I just find it hard to believe it's not going to be hard for dealers to connect the dots. Scout's CEO is VW's old one so kick your feet scream whatever be ready to patronize your local VW dealer if you want a Scout come 2029

 

[joewilk45]

Plus per article law firms are working on pro bono they get their fees from settlement so they feel pretty confident not to mention the law firm previously won a 15 Billion dollar settlement against VW. I think VW and scout go to arbitration and realize with a 1 billion dollar over budget new factory along with new labor agreements it might be wise to to integrate scout into the VW fold. In Lein of more potential legal settlements. Scout needs to start building things not promise things and be more transparent of what lies ahead.

 

[PMurphy]

Televising the jury trial would make for great reality tv. Could line up weeks of testimony from dealer customers who have been victimized by market adjustments, bait and switch, magic juice marketing and financing schemes. Judge likely wouldn’t go for it but who knows.

On the flip side I seem to recall some entity (Scout?) filing a request the Justice Department to investigate dealership franchise laws as a anticompetitive practice. With this administration who knows where that could go?!

 

[joewilk45]

My money is non of the above happen and we're buying from VW dealers the attorney general Pam Bondi 's family I believe own a slew of car dealerships so I can't see her hurting the money tree that got her where she is today . So my suggestion is buddy up to your neighborhood VW dealer cause that's my prediction

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

My money is non of the above happen and we're buying from VW dealers the attorney general Pam Bondi 's family I believe own a slew of car dealerships so I can't see her hurting the money tree that got her where she is today . So my suggestion is buddy up to your neighborhood VW dealer cause that's my prediction

Then I’ll probably be keeping my Highlander.

 

[Matt-StL]

I'd bet $$ this exact scenario was war-gamed in the early days of establishing the business. The company bylaws and investor relationships should have demonstrated a clear independence between Scout and VW - i.e. a proactive legal defense. One would think there are enough examples to learn from. If so, Scout potentially has a solid defense. If not, buyer can expect to shop at their local VW dealer.

 

[joewilk45]

How's their independence when they are sole finance arm and the CEO was the The CEO of VW.And VW is currently cost cutting in Germany. And the lawyers representing the dealers are doing it for no fees unless they win which they have a good track record they previously just won a 15 Billion dollar settlement against VW . So let's look at this sensibly. VW is under investor scrutiny and cost cutting in Germany Scout is currently 1 billion over budget and now we're facing a lawsuit against the guys who took us for 15 billion. Or do we come to terms with dealerships and utilize their networks and they now foot the bill for new Scout sales and services centers. And our investors are happy.

 

[SchnauzerDad]

Did someone somewhere say something about the fact that the engine (generator) would be made by VW and that that would be the reason the dealers would win? I can’t remember.

I don’t know squat but had a thought - a scenario where if the Scout had a motor it would be sold by dealers. If it was a pure EV, it could then be sold DTC. Sounds crazy, but who knows. Still holding out for a pure EV

Whatever the case, there’s nothing else out there that comes close to my Defender so I’m not looking at any other brands. The Scout has clean great lines. I predict it will be similar to the Defender that keeps selling better every year, which is very rare. Timeless lines (and a good reputation) will do that for a model. A pure EV Scout and my mild hybrid Defender would be perfect for me for what I do.