Volkswagen Group announced in a statement the company's plan to launch an all-electric pickup and rugged SUV. The vehicles will be designed, engineered, and manufactured in the U.S. for American customers.

A separate, independent company will be established in the U.S. this year as the Volkswagen Group moves its U.S.-brand Scout into the electric vehicle space. The first prototypes are to be unveiled next year, and production is scheduled to start in 2026.

“After Volkswagen’s successful turnaround in the U.S., we are now taking the opportunity to further strengthen our position in one of the most significant growth markets for EVs," said Herbert Diess, CEO Volkswagen AG. "Electrification provides a historic opportunity to enter the highly attractive pick-up and R-SUV segment as a Group, underscoring our ambition to become a relevant player in the U.S. market.”

Success in the R-SUV and pick-up segments is a key lever to increasing profitability in the U.S. and achieving the targeted market share of 10%, the brand said. The Volkswagen Group is continuing to systematically expand its presence in one of the most significant global growth markets.

“The company we will establish this year will be a separate unit and brand within the Volkswagen Group to be managed independently," added Arno Antlitz, CFO Volkswagen AG. "This aligns with the new group steering model - small units that act agilely and have access to our tech platforms to leverage synergies.”