Lucas Bell 
With the return of the 2021 Ford Bronco, the battle for dominance in the off-roading segment has been reborn. In the early days of these 4×4 legends, this battle was fought between Jeep, Ford, as well as International. Well with the Bronco back on the market, Automotive News reports that fans are calling for a modern interpretation of the International Scout.
The International Scout was also a two-door drop-top of an SUV, which debuted half a decade before the first-gen Bronco back in 1961. This off-roader is one of the first SUVs to hit the American market, and was a legitimate challenger to the Jeep and the Ford models of the day. Thanks to their rugged capability and well-designed bodywork, the International Scout has garnered a massive fan-base over the years. Supported by both an engaged online community and a healthy aftermarket, the Scout never really left off-roading’s collective consciousness.
Of course, the International we all know today is more associated with commercial vehicles than passenger cars. According to that AN report, this isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Truck companies have also been impacted by growing scrutiny over fuel economy standards and industry pressures involving autonomous driving tech, which are very capital-intensive endeavors. Navistar International spokeswoman Bre Whalen told the publication that the company’s focus remains unchanged, and that they have no intention of rejoining the production car market.
However, a new International Scout isn’t entirely out of the question. Volkswagen’s truck group has looked at acquiring International during recent times, which could potentially help to push the brand back to the market. The automaker is no stranger to producing a capable SUV, and could bring the capital necessary to develop a new take on the off-roader. While it may seem like a far-fetched pipe dream, we would love to see the Scout come back for another stint as a tried-and-true Bronco fighter.
