By 
BERLIN — Volkswagen AG is set to resurrect the Scout off-road vehicle brand as part of its bid to expand in the U.S., the world’s most profitable automotive market.
Under the plan, which previously hasn’t been reported, the German company, a minnow in the U.S. but one of the largest auto makers in the world, is planning to launch a new Scout-branded electric sport-utility vehicle and a Scout electric pickup truck.
VW’s
VOW,
-0.52%
board of directors is expected to approve the plan on Wednesday, according to people familiar with the meeting’s agenda. The plan would see Scout operate as a subsidiary of VW in the U.S. alongside other VW brands—Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley.
The move would mark the first time that VW has created a new brand based in the U.S. VW’s leadership hopes the Scout name can help the company break into the hard-fought and highly profitable American market for big SUVs and pickup trucks. VW hopes to eventually sell up to 250,000 Scout-branded vehicles a year in the U.S., with production set to start in 2026, the people said.
VW is one of a number of global companies that are seeking to increase their U.S. exposure as a hedge against political uncertainty in Europe and disruptive Covid-19 lockdowns in China.
An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.
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