Scout Motors, an American electric vehicle (EV) truck and SUV brand affiliated with Volkswagen Group, is adopting a direct-to-consumer sales model, dismissing traditional car dealerships. CEO Scott Keogh emphasized that this approach allows the brand to establish a direct relationship with customers and provides a better brand experience, similar to buying directly from Apple. Keogh described shopping at dealerships as akin to shopping at Best Buy, contrasting it with the seamless experience of direct sales. This dealerless model, pioneered by Tesla and adopted by Rivian and Lucid, has proven successful, with Tesla’s Model Y becoming the best-selling car globally in 2023 and 2024. Keogh dismissed dealership noise as 'a lot of noise,' asserting that the industry’s traditional dealership model is an industry anomaly, especially in the US, where dealer markups often inflate vehicle prices well above MSRP. In Europe, where dealers cannot apply such markups, prices tend to stay closer to MSRP, highlighting the US market’s unique dynamics. Scout’s strategy reflects a broader industry shift towards direct sales, aiming to improve customer experience and control over pricing. Meanwhile, other automotive news includes Mercedes-Benz dropping its 'EQ Technology' branding for EVs, Subaru launching a special Series.Yellow lineup, and the upcoming Mercedes-AMG E53 hybrid wagon priced at $94,500. Tesla is expanding its Supercharger network to business customers, and various EV models, including Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Wagoneer S, have been recalled due to safety issues. The 2026 Land Cruiser sees price adjustments, with base models costing more and top-tier models slightly discounted.