For the last several years, major automakers have been racing toward an all-electric future. But in a twist few insiders saw coming, Volkswagen (VW) — one of the world’s largest carmakers — is rewriting its own EV playbook.

The company has decided to revive its classic Scout line not as futuristic electric vehicles, but as rugged, long-range gas-electric hybrids. And if early demand is any measure, the American market is applauding the move louder than anyone expected.

A Comeback Rooted in Consumer Truth

According to Scott Keogh — the CEO of Scout Motors — more than eight out of ten reservation holders chose the plug-in hybrid or extended-range versions instead of pure EVs.

“The market clearly has spoken,” Keogh said during an interview, adding that the hybrid can deliver up to 500 miles on a tank while eliminating typical “EV drama” such as range anxiety or charger shortages.

Keogh, whose professional profile appears on , emphasizes that these buyers don’t want to abandon electrification — they simply want a version that fits American road realities.

Why VW Pivoted Away from Pure EVs

VW acquired Scout when it bought Navistar (the successor to International Harvester, Scout’s original parent) back in 2021. The revival was initially planned as a fully electric rebirth — inspired in part by Ford’s successful comeback with the Bronco SUV.

But with EV demand dipping sharply in the United States — especially after former U.S. President Donald Trump vowed to eliminate the $7,500 EV tax credit, calling it the “EV mandate” — the landscape shifted fast.

Meanwhile, sales of large gasoline SUVs surged, and automakers like General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford scaled back ambitious electric truck plans. Even Tesla’s Cybertruck, despite global hype, has struggled to attract mainstream pickup buyers due to towing-range concerns.

By late 2024, VW realized the writing was on the wall: the Scout revival needed to match the American market’s real sentiment, not its projected one.

What the New Scout Lineup Looks Like

Scout plans to launch two flagship models in 2027:

• Scout Traveler (SUV)
• Scout Terra (pickup truck)

Both are expected to start at around $60,000 — and Keogh insists that the company will not slash this price, even without the EV tax credit.

“We’re not dropping $7,500 off the price,” he said confidently. “We don’t need to.”

The strategy appears to be working: Scout has already received more than 130,000 non-binding reservations, with 73% preferring the SUV.

Could the Pickup Truck Be Canceled?

Interestingly, Keogh didn’t rule out cancelling the Terra pickup if the hybrid truck segment weakens further — a move similar to what Ford is reportedly considering with the F-150 Lightning, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

“That’s something we could look at,” he admitted. “But not now.”

Audi May Join the Story

The upcoming $2 billion Scout factory in South Carolina may eventually produce vehicles for Audi, VW’s luxury brand. Audi’s CEO has hinted at a U.S.-centric SUV — with reports suggesting it might share the Scout platform.

Keogh neither confirmed nor denied this:
“We’re capable of building for other brands… but Audi would have to answer that.”

Trump’s ‘America First’ Strategy Accidentally Boosted Scout

Ironically, while Trump’s policy shift is hurting other EV makers, it may strengthen Scout’s “Made in America” narrative.

Scout recently announced a $300 million supplier park in South Carolina, reinforcing its Americana identity. Keogh says the tax credit loss only affects Scout for four years and cannot determine the company’s “50-year decision.”

“You don’t build a brand based on money that may or may not exist,” he said.

A Return to Its Roots

Scout hasn’t rolled off an assembly line since 1980. With its revival set for 2027 — this time as a hybrid symbol of American outdoor culture — VW is hoping nostalgia, practicality, and a changing political environment will fuel one of its biggest U.S. comebacks.

Whether consumers embrace the new Scout the way they once cherished the original remains to be seen — but the early numbers suggest VW is finally speaking the language the American market wants to hear.

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It was anything but a typical corporate meeting.
On November 6, Elon Musk — the larger-than-life CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X — stormed the stage to a funk soundtrack, dancing beside one of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots. “Most shareholder meetings are snooze fests,” Musk quipped, “but ours are bangers.”

Behind the theatrics, however, lies a corporate controversy shaking Wall Street: Tesla’s $1 trillion pay deal for Musk — the largest compensation package ever proposed to a CEO in modern history.

A Billion-Dollar Question: Reward or Power Play?

The plan, initially approved years ago and now revived in new form, ties Musk’s earnings to Tesla’s market performance and profitability. In theory, it aligns his incentives with shareholders. In practice, critics argue it demonstrates something far more troubling — what governance experts are calling “corporate capture.”

According to financial analysts, Tesla’s board — composed largely of Musk loyalists and long-time associates — has effectively surrendered oversight to its chief. A report by The Financial Times described the dynamic bluntly:

“Tesla’s board no longer checks Musk’s power — it amplifies it.”

Even The Economist noted that Musk now wields “near-monarchical control” over a publicly traded company, with little resistance to his personal decisions, tweets, or strategic whims.

Investors Divided Over the ‘Musk Empire’

To Musk’s fans, this trillion-dollar pay plan is simply the cost of brilliance. Under his leadership, Tesla became the world’s most valuable automaker, revolutionized electric mobility, and forced legacy carmakers like Ford and General Motors to follow suit.

“Elon Musk has created industries where none existed,” said one venture capitalist on LinkedIn, arguing that such vision deserves an equally extraordinary reward.

But others see it as reckless hero-worship. Corporate watchdogs warn that Tesla’s governance structure risks becoming a “cult of personality” rather than a responsibly managed enterprise. “Tesla is now more Elon than company,” wrote governance expert Lucian Bebchuk from Harvard Law School. “That’s dangerous for shareholders and for capitalism itself.”

Dancing with Robots, Dodging Oversight

Musk’s flair for spectacle — whether launching rockets, trolling competitors on X, or performing at shareholder events — often blurs the line between leadership and showmanship. His latest performance with a robot wasn’t just viral marketing; it was a symbolic reminder of who controls the stage, both literally and figuratively.

Behind the applause, however, investors and regulators are quietly asking: At what point does innovation turn into unchecked dominance?

The Bigger Picture: Corporate Power in the 21st Century

The Musk pay saga isn’t just about one man’s paycheck. It represents a broader trend in modern capitalism — where founders and tech visionaries command immense influence over boards meant to hold them accountable.

As Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Tim Cook steer trillion-dollar corporations, the balance between innovation and oversight continues to erode. Musk’s trillion-dollar deal, critics say, is simply the most extreme example yet.

The Verdict: “A Banger” or a Boardroom Warning?

For now, Musk remains unfazed. “The shareholders voted. The people have spoken,” he declared with a grin, as applause filled the hall. Yet, beyond the cheers and flashing cameras, the unease lingers.

Is Elon Musk a genius pushing humanity forward — or a corporate emperor rewriting the rules of accountability?

Only time, and Tesla’s next earnings report, will tell.

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The Cadillac Celestiq, the most luxurious and hand-built model ever produced by General Motors (GM), is about to become even more exclusive. As per a report by Automotive News, the 2026 edition of the Celestiq will now start in the low $400,000 range, marking a steep $60,000 increase over the 2025 version’s $340,000 base price.

A Price Tag That Matches Its Ambition

Cadillac says the price hike reflects the inclusion of the smart glass panoramic roof as standard, along with eight years of connected services. These updates aim to position the Celestiq not just as a car, but as a rolling expression of design, technology, and craftsmanship.

While the figure might sound staggering, Cadillac insists this EV isn’t just transportation — it’s a statement of what American engineering can achieve. “No two Celestiqs will ever be alike,” said a GM executive, referencing the bespoke personalization process that lets buyers hand-pick every inch of the car’s design — from custom paint finishes to hand-stitched interiors and even 3D-printed components.

The Most Technologically Advanced Cadillac Ever

Under its sculpted body, the Celestiq rides on GM’s Ultium Platform — the same electric foundation used in vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV. Its dual-motor setup delivers a staggering 655 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to hit 0–60 mph in just 3.7 seconds in Velocity Max mode.

The sedan also features Magnetic Ride Control 4.0, adaptive air suspension, four-wheel steering, and Super Cruise, GM’s semi-autonomous driving system. Inside, you’ll find a pillar-to-pillar HD display, a 38-speaker AKG Studio Reference audio system, and even heated armrests — because why shouldn’t your elbows be as comfortable as the rest of you?

Exclusivity at Its Core

The 2026 Celestiq will continue to be built at the GM Global Technical Center in Warren, Michigan, in extremely limited quantities. Cadillac confirmed that all 25 units of the 2025 model have already been sold, and production for 2026 will remain just as restricted.

Unlike mass-market EVs from Tesla, the Celestiq isn’t meant to dominate sales charts. Instead, it serves as a halo product, showcasing Cadillac’s ultimate potential in electric luxury — a handcrafted rival to the Rolls-Royce Spectre and Bentley Flying Spur.

What Makes It Worth the Money

Every Celestiq undergoes a meticulous artisan-led build process that takes hundreds of hours per unit. Each car can be customized to reflect its owner’s personality — a reflection of Cadillac’s renewed philosophy of “Artful Obsession”.

Owners also receive a dedicated concierge from Cadillac’s bespoke division, ensuring a seamless design-to-delivery experience — something usually reserved for ultra-high-end European marques.

The Bigger Picture

The Celestiq’s steep new pricing signals Cadillac’s confidence in its luxury EV direction. While Mary Barra, GM’s CEO, continues to emphasize an “all-electric future,” the Celestiq stands as a symbol that sustainability and opulence can indeed coexist — at a price, of course.

IMAGE CAPTION:
The 2026 Cadillac Celestiq – GM’s handcrafted luxury EV masterpiece, now starting above $400,000, combines technology, elegance, and exclusivity.

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